8 – FARM MARKET NEWS JULY 21, 2008
JULY 21, 2008 FARM MARKET NEWS – 9 Area farmer reaps strip-till benefits By Steven Swenson Farmers have used various conservation tillage systems in their operations for many years. One of the conservation tillage systems that is relatively “new” is the strip-till system, which is generally done in the fall but can be done in the spring. Conservation tillage is defined as tillage systems that leave at least 30 percent residue cover on the soil surface after planting. Studies have shown that reduced tillage systems have benefits other than soil conservation, such as increased water infiltration, increased or sustained organic matter content, increased waterholding capacity, and continued long-term productivity of the soil. They also require less capital investment in equipment and fewer field passes, which reduces the amount of labor and fuel used. Strip-tillage creates a raised berm by tilling a zone 5 to 9 inches deep and 6 to 10 inches wide matched to the row-spacing of the planter. This leaves the soil and residue undisturbed between the tilled zones. The tilled area is prepared with mole fertilizer knives with opening coulter and berm-shaping disks, to combinations of fluted coulters, to a large, toothed disk. Fertilizer P and K can be injected directly into the strip at the time of strip tillage. Corn is planted into the tilled residue free strip without any secondary spring tillage. Ian Cunningham who farms south of <strong>Pipestone</strong>, has been doing strip-till since about 2000. Cunningham said they had been doing conservation tillage practices since 1968. “In 1968 we quit mold-board plowing and at the time I was still pretty young,” he said. “My dad was interested in conservation tillage. In fact, my grandfather was one of the first soil and water (conservation) board members in <strong>Pipestone</strong> <strong>County</strong>.” He commented that even though his dad or uncle didn’t serve on the board they were always interested in conservation and even when they were still plowing they would plow on the contour. Through the years Cunningham has continued these practices and has been a board member of the <strong>Pipestone</strong> <strong>County</strong> Soil and Water Conservation District for the past 10 years, and he recently filed for another term. In the early 1980s Cunningham started to use a ridge-till system and continued up until about 2000. “I had been no-tilling soybeans Strip-till Continued on page 10 ����� � �������� ���������� � ������������ ������������ �� ������� � ��� �������� R&R Spraying, Inc. Call us for all of your spraying needs! Crop Care By Air ������������ � ���� ���� ������������ ����� ������������ Rick Wenzel ��� ����� ������ � ���������� �� ����� Talk To the Professionals ROBERT RUPP CONSTRUCTION Ruthton, Minnesota 56170 ������� ������� ����������� Planning any new building projects? Call us for free estimates. We can handle all of your building needs. ����� ���� ����������� �������� ���� � ����� ���� ������ ���� ������ ��������� �������� ������� ������� �������� ���� Jeremy Whipple - President/Manager Mike Manderscheid - Outside Sales Jay Remacle - Inside Sales ����� ������� ����� � ���� CALL BOB OR CLIFF TODAY Bob (507) 658-3632 Bob Cell (507) 828-3255 Check Out Our Competitive Prices! Kevin Jerzak - Manager WHATEVER YOUR NEEDS, WE'D LIKE TO WORK FOR YOU! � Trenching Work � Excavating � Dozer Work � Gravel Hauling � Payloader Work � Earthmoving Work � Backhoe Work � Rock, Fill & Black Dirt STOP ��������������� ��������� � Air Hammer & Sandblaster Rental Dick Brett MIDWEST Bosacker Harmening (507) 701 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MN 56143 (507) 841-0663 �������������������������������������� 841-1836 FREE ESTIMATES! E-mail: lfmidwest@qwest.net CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT! ������������������� ���������������������� �� ������������������ �� ����������������� ������������������������ �� ������������������� ��������� �� ��������������������� �������� �� ��������������������� �� ����������������������� ����������������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������������������������ ������������������� ����������������������������������������� 507-372-2957 � 800-626-7768 � Licensed Designer & Installer of Sewage Systems � Ritchie Fountain Sales & Service DAVE HULSTEIN EXCAVATING, <strong>INC</strong>. ��������� �� � ��� ������������ � ���� ��� ������������ � ���� ��� ������������ NOW BOOKING! Thinking of building new or remodeling? Need to replace or add a basement? INSULATED FORMS FOR POURED CONCRETE WALLS Call Dick Bosacker or Brett Harmening, your Lite-Form ® representatives in this area. Whether you’re building or remodeling, Lite-Form ® is the answer. We can also jack up an existing home and replace the basement. Dick has done over 2,600 projects in the past 15 years, therefore he has the experience and knowledge to get the job done right. Over 2,000 home basements in the area! 400 projects completed in 2007! �������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ® �������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������� ® ����������������������������������������� To place your ad call: 1-800-325-6440 • 507-825-3333