| | It has been over 20 years since the pioneers of conservation tillage (CT) traded in their discs and plows for no-till drills and air seeders. Today, more and more producers are turning to CT practices in order to save on input costs such as fuel and out of a general desire to be better stewards of the land.
.
However, many farmers — both those who have been incorporating it for years and those who are just now getting those first pangs of curiosity — have the same common questions about conservation tillage: Where is it headed? What is out there that will help me get more efficiency and yield? And how can I start a CT system — or expand my existing operation — without breaking the bank?
Conservation tillage has been "fine-tuned" in recent years, says Lawrence Papworth, an engineer with the AgTech Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta, with older technology improved upon and some older practices refined. "Because we have a mandate to support all aspects of agricultural sustainability, AgTech has had the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the latest in CT technology and equipment for many years," says Papworth.
"We’ve seen a move away from air seeders to more precision-oriented air drills, which has partially driven the rise in popularity of double-shoot or ‘low draft’ openers, which in turn has presented the added benefit of increased fuel efficiency. We’ve seen a resurgence in the popularity — and improvements in the quality — of disc openers and soil levelling devices. We’re also seeing promising advances in the field of residue managers, while tractors with variable speed transmission (VST) are opening up new possibilities for efficiency."
Another trend Papworth has observed is farmers "test driving" conservation tillage to see if it meets their needs. They are also using the many resources on the Internet and asking their equipment dealers to help determine the direction of their conservation tillage practices.
"Farmers are being cautious about conservation tillage, but that’s a good thing," he says. "CT is not for everybody; it can be a serious investment that can have a long-term impact on the farm and how things are done. It’s not suited to every crop or every kind of soil/environment condition.
"That said, much of the new technology — and the fine tuning of some old technology — has positioned CT practices in a more viable position for more kinds of operations than ever before." |
|