Re: Planting Crops

Posted by paul on February 27, 2003 at 05:55:56 from (66.60.196.193):

In Reply to: Planting Crops posted by T_Bone on February 27, 2003 at 03:59:38:

Notill is popular because it saves fuel, iron, & time. All of which cost farmers money.

Actually wet areas are places where notill _doesn't_ work well. In my part of Minnesota, I have to drive at least 40 miles before I even _see_ a notill field! We have brutally cold winters, deep snow pack, low-angle sun, strong spring rains, heavy deep clay soils, short growing season & early frost (not every year, but typically). Notill does not work 'here'. Those that tried, and they are very good managers, either returned to some fall tillage, or are out of business. Period. I can find notill north, south, east, & west of me - slightly different soil or rain/snowfall patterns. We are hit with the worst combo of all of the above. But we have great conditions for growing great crops, if we can get in the field in spring!

This whole topic becomes more heated than any color war on a farming forum. Those that live in no-till areas would call us 'recreational tillers' and pretty much look down their noses. Blah blah blah. Sorry if I sound defensive - been there, done that...... ;)

So be it. Let them walk a mile in our shoes, and see where their smugness gets them....

As to planting in fall, the seed will rot as temps rise & dip, and moisture soaks in before germ temp is reached. However seed companies are working on seed coatings that break down at germination temp, thus allowing very early, or possibly fall, planting. Stay tuned!

--->Paul

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