Tillage Innovation Profiles

 

Roy Bloomfield, Ilderton, Middlesex
Soil Type: Silty Clay loam | Farm Operation: Corn, Beans, Wheat
Years in Operation of No-till: 10

Tillage/Cropping System

System: No-till
Fall Tillage: None in 2007, but considering light vertical tillage next year
Spring Tillage: As above

Planter Make, Model and Description
  • White 6800 Central Fill Planter- 6 rows, 30" spacing, w/Till-Tech hydraulic toolbar on front.
  • Also 2 row coulters/row and an Overum dry fertilizer airflow unit mounted on planter.
Tillage/Coulter Dimensions:
  • 18" coulters with 3/4" wave, mounted on hydraulic bar, depth variable, usually 3-5" deep, approx. 3" off the row, each side

Fertilizer System: N-32.1 lbs/ac, P-35.0 lbs/ac,K-18 lbs/ac
Liquid In furrow: 10-34-0=N-5.7lbs/ac,P-19.6 lbs/ac, K-0
Broadcast:
Dry Banded: behind lead coulter on hydraulic bar: 2007-110 lbs/ac of 24-14-16= N-26.4 lbs/ac, P-15.4 lbs/ac, K-18lbs/ac
Additional Nitrogen on Planter:
Sidedress N: NH3 Anhydrous Ammonia: N-124 lbs/ac. Fertilizer totals after sidedress: N-156.1 lbs/ac, P-35 lbs/ac, K-18 lbs/ac

Producer's Comments

Pros

Cons
  • One pass planting system (except sidedress N)
  • planter and fertilizer attachments allow for long fill intervals (30ac. dry fertilizer, up to 80ac. liquid, 80ac seed)
  • firm ground to drive on-less horsepower required to pull the planter-less fuel
  • planter heavy enough for good penetration of soil
  • bulk seed hopper set-up for split planter seeding, therefore, two hybrids can be stripped easily for testing and refuge.
  • delayed planting on wheat stubble especially if heavy straw/chaff present
  • lots to monitor and maintain at planting
  • heavy planter can cause compaction on wetter soils
  • metering air system- one pressure for whole planter, therefore, if two hybrids are significantly different in size/weight can cause population variance
  • adjustments/repairs on row units are cramped, especially with rear units attached for beans or wheat – wear a padded hat!