1. Chapter 15
Tillage: working the soil to provide a good environment for seed placement, germination, and crop growth

2. 3 goals for Tillage 1. Weed Control Before Planting Kill weeds
weakens perennials
After Planting
destroys weeds
covers seedlings

3. 2. Alteration of Physical Soil Conditions
Structure, Moisture, and Temperature
Stirs and loosens soil
improves aeration
creates suitable medium for growth
may breakup soil compaction

4. 2. Alteration of Physical Soil Conditions
Causes long term decline in Structure
loss of organic matter
crushes soil aggregates
Moisture and Temperature
tilled warms earlier, causes earlier seeding and better germination

5. Crop Residue Management
amount depends on crop
8500 lbs/acre off of 150 bu corn
5600lbs/acre off of 100 bu corn

6. Crop Residue Management
amount depends on type of tillage
Plowing 5%
Field Cultivator 80%
Chisel 80%
Disc 6” 25%, 3” 50%
Harrow 65%

7. Seedbed Preparation Culmination of all 3 aspects
Meets requirements for seed to grow
moisture, temperature
aerated, yet compacted
free of clods
Type of seed determines how smooth you need seedbed

8. Conventional Tillage Primary Tillage
Breaks up soil and buries crop residue
inverting equipment
Plowing, time consuming, no residue
Discing

9. Conventional Tillage Secondary Tillage
Produces fine seedbed that breaks up into smaller chunks
mixing implements

10. Conservation Tillage Leaves 30% of residue reduces erosion by 40-50%
reduced tillage
fewer trips, compaction less

11. Conservation Tillage Mulch Till Chisel, Secondary, 30-50% residue
Strip Till
No Primary tillage
planter tills band of soil and plants
bares 1/3 of soil
50% residue

12. Conservation Tillage Ridge Till plants cleaned strip
seed planted on ridge
2/3 residue

13. Conservation Tillage No Till specialized planters 90% untouched ground
Herbicides used to control weeds rather than tillage

14. Differences between Conservation and Conventional
Yields
slightly lower in Conservation
Equipment
conservation needs specialized, but fewer
Fertility
Conservation remains moist longer,
N needs to be deeper incorporated in Conservation
PH may be higher

15. Drawbacks to Conservation
Management
Adapted for select soils
Perennials can be a problem
Compaction in No Till can be a problem
PH lowers
Use of herbicides

16. Cropping Systems
3 Different ways to decide what to plant

17. Plant the Market
Plant what the market wants you to, highest price

18. Suit to Operation
Plant what you will use in ag operation

19. Crop Rotation 1.Continuous Cropping grows same crop every year
yields decline after several years

20. Crop Rotation Disadvantages planting less profitable crops
do not use crops that you need to plant

21. Crop Rotation Advantages Control disease and insects Control weeds
allelopathy: chemical emitted by a crop that kills weeds in next crop
supplies N
Improves O.M.
Reduces erosion

22. Dryland Farming No irrigation Summer Fallow
left fallow for 1 crop season
control weeds and crop on field
25% of rain will be stored in ground

23. Dryland Farming 3 Problems 1. Wind erosion 2. Decline in O.M.
3. Saline Seeps

24. Dryland Farming Saline Seeps:
Deep rock layer stops water and pushes it downhill
water carries salt with it
comes out at low spots of hill
water evaporates leaving salt behind

25. Dryland Farming
Avoid saline seeps by moving the water before it can evaporate

26. Rangeland
Four SCS ranks
1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Fair
4. Poor

27. Rangeland Things to do to make rangeland more productive
1. Control grazing
2. Fertilize
3. Seed out new plants

28. Organic Farming
No inorganic fertilizers or synthetic pesticides are used
Usually use rotation w/legumes to supply N
Rely on tillage and cultivation
rotary hoe

29. Organic Farming Results of O.F. better bean and oats yield
erosion is reduced
use 1/3 of energy
sell to regular markets
some utilize only part organic

30. LISA Low Input Sustainable Agriculture
Maximizes profits by reducing costs
Minimizes off farm inputs