Tillage Innovation Profiles

 

Larry Elder, Exeter , Huron
Soil Type: Clay loam | Farm Operation: cash crop
Years in Operation of Zone-till (5-8 in. deep): 15

Tillage/Cropping System

System: Zone-till (5-8 in. deep)
Fall Tillage: wheat stubble fall trans tilled only
Spring Tillage: one pass trans till

Planter Make, Model and Description
  • CaseIH cyclo 800, 6 row
  • Single disc fertilizer openers
  • JD 1590 no-till drill, 15 ft
Tillage/Coulter Dimensions:
  • Beans are planted with two rows 71/2 inches apart centred on the strip, then a 22 1/2 inch space before the edge of the next strip. Once over with the packer after the Trans-Till to crumble the tilled strip. Corn is planted in the middle of the tilled strip. Trans-Till creates six zones, 30-inch centres.

Fertilizer System: liquid 28% + 10-34-0 with trans till pass, corn, soys, edibles, liquid N broadcast streamer in spring on wheat
Liquid In furrow:
Broadcast: potash every 3rd year
Dry Banded: 2 x 2 starter NPK (corn)
Additional Nitrogen on Planter: dry mini-MAP in furrow (corn)
Sidedress N:

Producer's Comments

Pros

Cons
  • Separate pass ahead of planting gives versatility under differing soil & weather conditions. Allows flexibility for proper “airing off “of soil for optimum seed bed preparation. Passes timed for maximum benefit.
  • Tilled zone alleviates insect & disease pressure on seedlings, with low trash disturbance. Adjustable knife depths, no weight required to maintain constant depth. Controlled traffic prevents row compaction.
  • One pass tillage + fertilizer placement. Fertilizer placed in zone under the row where best & most quickly utilized.
  • Low cost maintenance.
  • Eliminates plow & cultivator, High HP, fuel, etc.
  • Packer helps to seal and crumble zone – level trash for better gauge wheel performance. pushes most stones back in place
  • Equip. should be matched for width.
  • Extra operation requires extra operator if want to max. out acreage covered for allotted time.
  • Leaves headlands, fields, rougher if crossing after.
  • Liquid fertilizers may cost more per unit.
  • Burndown required. Cannot use PPI chemicals. Chaff Spreader on combine highly recommended.