Revolution on the Farm
Jerry Presser
Turtle Lake, North Dakota
I started no-tilling primarily because of Soil Conservation, but after a few years of experimenting, I found that the saving moisture aspect can get you better yields. I’ve also cut my machinery and fuel cost’s. What really helped me get started in 1981, was my local South McLean Soil Conservation District. They purchased a no-till drill and leased it out to farmers to try. This enabled me to give no-till a try before purchasing my own drill.
I prefer a disc type drill because of its ability to slice through heavy straw and residue and simply because of less horsepower required. I also believe that when you disturb the soil, you make a seed bed for weeds to grow. I’ve encountered many farmers who believe you have to fallow to control weeds and save moisture. In regards to moisture management, research at the ARS Station at Mandan, N.D. by Al Black, has shown in a twelve year study that in relation to the amount of over winter soil moisture found down to a depth of five feet, medium height stubble gained 3.1 inches. By comparison, near by black fallow land gained 3.1 inches. By comparison, near by black fallow land gained an average of 1.3 inches. There is no doubt that moisture management with no-till can bring higher yields!
In regards to weeds, in a recent published study they found 4.3 million to 133 million weed seeds per acre in the top six inches of soil. Some seeds persist and remain viable for many years. If you make a seed bed for them to grow, they are going to grow!
The University of Illinois Footfall Stadium was built in the 1920’s. When soil from the playing field was removed so Astro-turf could be installed in the 1970’s, they had a find crop of velvet leaf growing in the piled up soil they removed-after laying there for more than 50 years. In more testing, 9 of 20 different weed species were alive after 40 years. Some of these 9 were Red Root Pig Weed, Common Rag Weed, Mustard Pepper Weed and Curly Dock. I think we all have weed seeds on our soil, why not let them lay there!
There is no such thing as being a little bit pregnant, and there are no short cuts to successful no-till!
It starts behind the combine—
After 11 years, I still feel like a beginner because we are still learning every year. Residue and moisture management is creating a revolution in farming! It has been, and will continue to be revolution with farmers, implement company’s and chemical company’s.
The plow is being displaced by new techniques that protect the land and promise even more abundant crops!