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Maximizing Performance in Conservation Tillage Systems – an Overview

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  021134,  2002 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.9150) @2002
Authors:   Randall C. Reeder
Keywords:   No-till, strip-till, ridge-till, soil compaction, controlled traffic, cover crop, corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, planter, drill, GPS

Conservation tillage systems have come a long way in the past fifty years. But there is still a ways to go to make no-till, ridge-till and other systems so compelling that farmers everywhere will insist on using a top performing conservation system.

The ideal system for a specific location depends on climate, soil type, crops, and farm size. Maximum performance of any system requires accurate seed placement, soil conditions ideal for good root growth, and appropriate pest control.

In the near future we will see more use of controlled traffic, guidance systems, and cover crops to improve conservation tillage systems. When some tillage is required for profitable crop yields, it will be used carefully, disturbing only as much soil as necessary and leaving the surface residue in place.

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