Fotheringham Farms Ltd., George & Gregg Fotheringham, Reston, MB

I am sure we have been asked, at some time, a version of this question > What crops can I grow successfully in a no-till situation??? We all probably have our own pet answer to this and could debate about it at length.

This morning I will touch on some alternate crops we have grown on our family farm with success as well as otherwise, and access their future in our no-till system.

OILSEEDS > Canola has become a mainstay in a no-till system in western Canada, and is now emerging in North Dakota as well. Canola has been grown very easily in the no-till environment. With the development of new management practices such as:

• preharvest Round-Up

• the use of granule herbicides surface applied

• the emergency of herbicide tolerant canola varieties

Canola will remain a key alternate crop in any type of production system. We have grown common varieties as well as H.T.C.'s in our rotation. This upcoming year we will be growing a High Luric variety which we have not done in the past.

SUNFLOWERS > Our operation is convinced that row cropping sunseeds has a yield advantage therefore we have attempted sunseeds row cropped in the no-till situation. This endeavor has been a little more humbling then we would have liked. Here are a few problem areas,

• yet to figure out a good herbicide option (least cost with widest spectrum) > there is now a need to use Lorsban just at emergence for cutworm control
• have had mechanical problems with trash managers and double disc in wet conditions Some possible improvements,

• the use of an undercutter blade in row for weed control (would rather not but???)

• use of a hooded sprayer in row for glyphosate use.

The future of this crop for us is varied. We will probable keep working to make adjustments to hopefully increase the success of this crop.

LEGUMES > Peas and lentils are again two crops that thrive very well in the no-till situation. Even us that have a rockage problem have rollers which we can use to reseed the rocks for future reference. Over time more herbicide and varietal options have emerged which has made the inclusion of these crops in a rotation easier. The legume family will remain in our rotation in the future.

MILLET > Tame millet which is a late seeded warm season grass, has in the past had a use on our farm. It does well in the no-till situation but does have herbicide limitations. Marketing becomes the trigger whether its used or not. In our opinion that probably occurs 2-3 times out of 10 years.

BEANS > We as yet have not attempted this crop on our farm but possibly in the future. I can certainly point out a few in the crowd that I know have had first hand experiences here.

So, there we have what we have done and may do in the future. I think there are some key points for all these crops.

• consider all crops you grow as an alternate crop. Management is critical for all crops

• alternate crop production varies greatly from farm to farm. What works for our farm may not make sense for yours!!

> There are wide ranges of varieties on both sides of the border and I am convinced that some varieties do better under a no-till situation.

My answer to that infernal question at the start is that a no-tiller can grow any crop that a conventional tiller can!!

Good Luck in your endeavors