Tillage Innovation Profiles

 

John Miller, Rodney, Elgin
Soil Type: Sandy loam | Farm Operation: crops, poultry (layers)
Years in Operation of No-till:

Tillage/Cropping System

System: No-till
Fall Tillage: none
Spring Tillage: none

Planter Make, Model and Description
  • Started out as John Deere 7000, narrowed to 22 ˝” rows
  • Hydraulic coulter bar added to front—3 coulters/row
  • Some modifications to double disc fertilized openers so they wouldn’t plough so much (spindles offset & narrowed
Tillage/Coulter Dimensions:
  • Coulter diameter – 17”
  • Depth varies by soil type and condition.
  • Coulters are 6” apart and 3” off row centre.
  • One coulter cuts residue for unit to apply fertilizer into clean ditch.
  • 2 coulters work ground with help from the third.
  • 22-inch rows for corn and beans with same planter.
  • Beans planted in between previous corn rows.

Fertilizer System: dry
Liquid In furrow:
Broadcast:
Dry Banded: yes
Additional Nitrogen on Planter: MAP through insecticide boxes
Sidedress N: yes

Producer's Comments

Pros

Cons
  • Same planter for corn and beans.
  • Higher populations in corn resulting in better weed control & possibly yield increase.
  • One tractor does all the work.
  • Far less time involved.
  • Too much iron for a folding version of planter so mainly for smaller operations.
  • Possibly lower bean yields with 22” rows versus 7 ˝” or 15” rows.