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Wallis, TX | Kooiker - 11/7/2023 07:51
I would also add that firm soil does not necessarily mean you have compacted soil.
Likewise, a 6-10" layer of fluffy soil does not necessarily mean that you don't have compaction.
Corn roots can/will grow very well in firm (but not packed) soil, corn roots do not like density changes like what you have under the tillage depth. Firm soil will carry loads from tractors, combines and sprayers well. Fluffy soil gets packed back down to its firm state.
Tillage can be a necessary evil but if you're trying to take out the same compaction every year, it might be time to rethink things.
I have read many posts on this and all I can say is every soil, every area is different. With that said, here are several things I can’t fathom, frozen soil, soil that you can’t combine in n the mud, soil that actually has been internal drainage (water goes through it) and black soil that doesn’t stick to your tires and make 4’ mud balls after a 2” rain.
Edited to add some things we do that will blow some farmers minds. Intentionally flooding a field for 3 months, draining it, running a combine over it, wet or muddy and re-flooding it for the second crop of rice. Or,,,, running a 80,000# machine over your field packing 33-36% of the surface area with tires that need as much as 50 psi to hold it up. For us, that’s just picking cotton. Lastly, how about having a 365 day growing season for weeds.
Edited by twraska 11/7/2023 16:33
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This is why tillage is necessary (here)
