Western Iowa | agpreacher - 10/24/2014 07:22
I have had what I think is great success with my conversion to notill. Good yields, soil improvement, time management and erosion control for certain. As an "evangelist" of sorts, I still find that it "just won't work on my soils" philosophy is out there and not sure how to respond. I share my success and understanding but don't seem to get the point across. It is of course, everyone's own choice how they manage their farm.Anyone out there that has been able to take a compacted, poorly managed soil and turn it around with our notill practices? It is a change of thinking for sure and patience is required but have you seen the drainage improve, root penetration, and yields stay stable or even improve?I am sure there will be some flaming but my curiosity will enjoy the discussion.
I tried 100% no till in the early 2000's. There were areas that worked great on and some that got so hard that the planter wouldn't go in the ground. I tried spot ripping and tilling but what a pain. As I got busier with more acres I found less patience to deal with these trouble zones. Also combine tracks were impossible to deal with with no till. A few times I just planted through the ruts. Very sloppy in my mind and couldnt stand to look at it all year.
On the other hand.....man I loved no till when it worked out. Seeing the soys slowly catch the stalks and make them disappear was very satisfying. Pulling right in and planting corn in that nice mellow loose soybean stubble was nice. Knowing I saved all that fuel and time and soil was a big plus when money and time was tight.
Comments like "All ground can be no tilled" and "My ground would never work with no till" are ignorant.
Some times it will work....sometime it won't. Depends on the weather as well as many other factors.
So far this year I am leaving ruts. Sad but it can't be avoided. If I had a small amount of acres and could wait to dry it out and not leave ruts I would but I can't. I could upgrade to track$$$$$$$$ i guess.
Edited by iafarmerken 10/24/2014 07:58
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Notill success
