Successful no-till begins at harvest

Kansas

No-Till on the Plains, Inc. emphasizes the importance of uniform straw and chaff distribution during Wheat harvest. Now is the time for producers to install straw choppers and chaff spreaders on their own machines, or to contact custom-harvesters to make sure that they are properly equipped for the harvest season.

With high fuel prices and dry weather plaguing Plains regions, producers considering the move to no-tillage must take this necessary first step at harvest the year prior. How straw and chaff is managed the preceding year will strongly impact next year's crop production.

Uniform distribution of straw is vital in a no-till system, and extensive research has shown that soil moisture is increased when crop residue and stubble are left standing on a field. Any successful garden is an example of the importance of mulch. Properly spread straw assists water soaking into the soil, plus the mulch at the surface reduces water loss from evaporation. Every ton of mulch retained on a field translates directly into more moisture available to the next crop, and enhanced yield potential.

"Management of straw and chaff is critical," says Brian Lindley, No-Till on the Plains executive director. "This is one of the important first steps that new no-tillers need to consider--start with fields where the straw and chaff from the previous crop was properly spread."

Uniform straw distribution can be accomplished easily with newer high-speed choppers, and by sharpening knives on older choppers, by adjusting the vanes, and with various other upgrades. Speed-up kits are available for some spinner spreaders. The goal is to spread the width of the header. Down-sizing headers and driving faster are valid techniques to attain better distribution. Chaff can be spread with various attachments to sling or blow the chaff, either in combination with straw or separately.

South Dakota farm manager Dan Forgey advocates the use of a high-speed chopper over a regular chopper, "A high-speed fine-cut chopper does not cost--it pays. We rely on our chopper rather than a drag [heavy harrow]." Forgey, originally from Oklahoma, has been practicing no-till for 14 years and experiences the benefits of improved soil structure, enhanced water infiltration, higher yields, and higher organic matter. According to Forgey, "No-till made farming fun again," and has greatly improved field efficiency and profitability.

With no-till, the seedbed is created at harvest of the preceding crop. Uniform amounts of straw and chaff across the soil surface ensure consistent moisture and temperature at seeding. Uniform distribution also allows better performance from the seeder openers, and consistent nutritional levels for the developing corp. It all begins at harvest.

Date: 5/25/06

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