Multiple production systems expand a farmer’s options. That flexibility lets you manage around each soil’s weakness; make last-minute changes when weather jeopardizes planting; meet the requirements of landlords; reduce costs compared with other systems; and transition fields to a more profitable system.
These three farmers share how multiple production systems help them increase yield and manage variable weather.
Match the System to the Soil
Near Clinton, Ill., Rod Wilson knows there’s a time and place for each production system.
“We are predominantly a no-till operation, but we use whatever system fits each farm,” says Wilson, who farms with Brad Beutke.
“Higher yields with no-till produce a lot of residue, which keeps soil wetter and cooler,” Wilson continues. “No-tilling soybeans into those conditions is not a problem. But sometimes we use vertical tillage to dry and warm the soil for planting corn.”
When forced to work in wet conditions, Wilson and Beutke use vertical tillage tools to remove ruts and compaction. They also use vertical tillage to incorporate lime when preparing to no-till new farms.
“We’ve never found a field we couldn’t no-till, but sometimes vertical tillage produces a greater return,” Wilson says.
Wilson and Beutke are exploring cover crops to improve nutrient management. “When we plant corn into cover crop residue, we probably will use strip-till to deal with the carbon penalty created by all the residue,” Wilson says.
Getting soil into a vertical format lets Wilson and Beutke move between various production systems, points out Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie. In contrast, full-width horizontal tillage puts in dense soil layers that impede root growth and water penetration.
“Conventional horizontal tillage is the one production system we never use,” Wilson says.
The Power of Choice
Mike McLaughlin, who farms near Le Roy, Ill., switched from conventional horizontal tillage to vertical tillage around 2000. The decision was based on the results of split-field comparisons conducted by Ferrie. In recent years, they have begun adding no-till to their production systems arsenal.
“I like having some choices,” says McLaughlin, who farms with brothers Steve and Cole Dooley.
“A few years ago we rented a farm that is far from our base,” McLaughlin says. “The previous operator had no-tilled it and done a good job. By keeping the farm in no-till, we only have to travel there twice — once to plant and once to harvest.”
McLaughlin and the Dooleys are moving to no-till on fields subject to erosion. The switch required no investment because their planter is equipped with row cleaners and adjustable down pressure.
Being able to move between two production systems helps the growers deal with spring weather. “If it’s dry, we can no-till to conserve moisture,” McLaughlin says. “If it’s wet, we can use our vertical harrow to help dry the soil for planting.
One key to successful no-tilling is to start with a clean field. McLaughlin and the Dooleys hire a custom applicator to apply a burndown herbicide in the fall, which leaves them free to concentrate on harvest and vertical ripping in fields going to soybeans.
A Production Evolution
In Lovington, Ill., Gingerich Farms evolved away from one-size-fits-all conventional horizontal tillage.
“You will always get fields planted in a conventional horizontal tillage system, but it’s not always the best system,” says Aaron Gingerich.
Eventually they would like to transition to all strip-till for corn and all no-till for soybeans. “But we keep finding some tillage is needed for various reasons,” he says
The farmers mix vertical tillage, strip-till and no-till. Fall vertical tillage, followed by a spring leveling pass ahead of soybeans and strip-till for corn, are our go-to systems, Gingerich says. No-till can fit, too.
Three strategies help Gingerich Farms move among systems. The first is a spring vertical tool with adjustable gang angles.
The second is row fresheners. “We use them not just in strip-till, but in many other situations, such as before no-tilling corn into soybean residue,” Gingerich says.
The third is applying fertilizer as they plant. “We don’t have to worry whether we can apply anhydrous ammonia or get a floater across the field,” he says. ”We just focus on creating the best possible seedbed we can make on that day.”
Systems for Success
Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie helps you zero in on the best production systems for your farm to close the last link in your precision-farming chain at AgWeb.com/systems-for-success
