The science behind sugar application is pretty simple, says Persia, Iowa, farmer Bill Darrington. For example, applying roughly 1 pound per acre during a pre-emergence herbicide application can alter the carbon-nitrogen ratio in corn residue and help it breakdown faster.
Spring planting is off to an encouraging start in many areas after a prolonged stretch of wet weather, especially in the Midwest. Last week, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey estimated that about 13% of the state’s corn had been planted.
One of the primary benefits farmers often point to with strip-till is yield consistency. In talking with both experienced and new strip-tillers, many often cite year-over-year corn yield averages that may vary by only a bushel or two, compared to more dramatic variability with other tillage methods.
With the environmental impact of farming practices on the national radar, strip-tillers often credit their transition to the practice — and specifically banding nutrients — as potential insulation from future restrictions for when, where and how much fertilizer can be applied.
As a niche farming practice, strip-till requires an intimate understanding of how different parts of the system correlate to an overall objective, whether it’s increasing yields, improving soil health, targeting fertilizer application — or all three.
Developing a strip-till system isn’t an easy process. Just ask Brian Watkins who took nearly 15 years to confidently transition from no-tilled corn to strip-till, on his 7,000 acre operation near Kenton, Ohio.
Incorporating cover crops is a growing trend among strip-tillers as a way to retain nutrients in the soil, limit erosion and promote growth of organic matter content. According to our 2015 Strip-Till Operational Benchmark Study, about 48% of respondents plant cover crops in strip-tilled fields, up more than 4% from the year prior.
While strip-tillers are always looking to add a few more bushels per acre, it’s worth noting that increasing yields isn’t always the primary objective for adopting the practice.
Attending the National No-Tillage Conference always presents an opportunity to network and learn from some of the most innovative farmers and conservation-minded academics.
I’ve never been one for making (much less keeping) New Year’s resolutions. But there are always improvements — personal and professional — that I’ll aim to make throughout the year.
Strip-Till Farmer delivers a mix of features on strip-till farmers, strip-till management topics and trending practices in strip-till. This FREE quarterly print newsletter is available to qualified subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
On this edition of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by CultivAce, we honor the life and legacy of Bill Richards — the ‘Grandfather of No-Till’ — who passed away Tuesday at the age of 93.
Environmental Tillage Systems is a leading manufacturer of strip-till and nutrient-management equipment which enhances soil productivity and farm profitability.
Kuhn Krause's focus, above all, is to continue to produce quality products to serve producers better; to strive to respond to their needs with new tools and new technology to meet their growing challenges. Agronomic practices are constantly changing, and at a faster pace now than ever.
For over 90 years, Yetter Farm Equipment has designed and manufactured innovative and effective solutions for the agriculture industry. Today, we are proud to be recognized worldwide as an industry leader in designing row cleaners, strip till tools, planter attachments, precision fertilizer placement attachments, rotary hoes, toolbars, and harvest attachments.