1. Precision Agriculture
In No-till Production
Systems
Courtney Dunkel
SOIL 4213

2. Objectives Differences between Conventional and No-till Benefits
Disadvantages
Equipment

3. What is tillage?
The agricultural preparation of the soil by mechanical aggregation of various types such as digging, stirring, and overturning.
The preparation of land for growing crops.

4. Conventional Tillage Wet soils Bury weed seeds and residue
Uniform incorporation of fertilizers and pesticides

5. Advantages Suited for poorly drained soils Optimum seed bed
Excellent incorporation
Equipment

6. Disadvantages Soil erosion Moisture loss Timeliness considerations
Highest fuel and labor costs
Compaction

7. Conservational At least 30% ground cover after planting
Several different types of conservational tilling
Ridge-till
Strip-till
Mulch-till
No-till

8. No-till Farmer’s attitude Produce crops while making soil improvements
With runoff and erosion virtually eliminated, SOM and CEC improvements are possible over time

9. Advantages Erosion control Moisture conservation Wildlife benefits
Beneficial insects
More intensive use of steeper fields
Terraces and grass waterways can be minimized
Row direction makes little difference
Minimum fuel and labor
Reduced compaction

10. Disadvantages Corn on corn problems No incorporation Stalk Stompers
Increased dependence on herbicides
Slow soil warming on poorly drained soils
New equipment

11. Equipment
1960s homemade tillage tool, used to control erosion on steep slopes

12. Equipment No-till Air Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD-KkqfkCs0
Plow-till No-till

13. Questions?