GrainsWest Fall 2020

Fall 2020 Grains West 28 recent soil tests that indicate baling and removing straw will reduce potash and phosphorus levels in the soil. “I don’t consider baling straw a sustainable practice,” he said. Earth Dirt Soil agronomics consultant Elston Solberg said direct seeding and conservation farming remain worthwhile objectives, but zero-till shouldn’t be viewed as a sacred cow. Solberg advises farmers consider “intelligent tillage” as part of a strategy to keep soils productive, manage crop residue and make nutrients available to increase yields. “We have advocated direct seeding and minimum tillage for more than three decades,” said Solberg. “And while there are many benefits, I have also To assess the potential value of tillage, a penetrometer may be used to measure the existing degree of soil compaction and standard soil tests may be carried out. pointed out it can be detrimental as well. But the use of tillage as a management tool is a message that hasn’t been well received by a limited and unappreciative audience.” Solberg said research shows a straight zero-till system can lead to shallow depth soil compaction. It can also create stratification of important but less mobile crop nutrients. This keeps them out of the crop root zone. As well, undisturbed crop residue can, over multiple years, can lead to cold soils, increased moisture retention and slow crop emergence. Solberg suggested various treatments can help manage residue and benefit crop growth. Occasional baling to remove straw will reduce the buildup of crop residue. Fall banding fertilizer is a lesser used practice these days, but it gets nutrient application out of the way prior to seeding and opens up the soil profile. And he also suggested the occasional deep tillage pass. “Research shows that a tillage operation can be a positive,” said Solberg. “Am I advocating a fairly heavy tillage every year? No. But can tillage be applied once every five or 10 years, perhaps to open up the soil profile and improve crop productivity? Probably, yes. I think it has to be looked at as intelligent tillage. As an occasional treatment it can help make soils more productive.” Solberg said occasional tillage can distribute crop residue and expose Photo:CourtesyofAgreto FEATURE