Min-Till to establish cereal crops

Can you reduce the amount of cultivation and the need to plough? This question was the subject of discussion at two workshops organised by the Crops Development Team, Greenmount Campus and led by Dr Vic Jordan of the Soil Management Initiative.

Farmers consider the first part of crop establishment to be total inversion of the soil by ploughing to bury crop residues. Farmers got the opportunity to see how this basic concept has been changed on two local farms and to discuss the non-inversion tillage (min-till) options now used.

Dr Jordan described the negative effects of excessive cultivation as the destruction of natural soil structure, reduction of soil organic matter levels, and lower levels of beneficial soil insects. The results of these effects are increased soil erosion, poor drainage, and poor crop establishment. He pointed out that some of the cultivation carried out is more cosmetic than practical and that farmers should consider their cultivation practices more carefully.

In trials carried out over the years through the Soil Management Initiative (SMI) it has been proven that by reducing cultivation depth in establishing cereals, soil structure has improved, soil organic matter levels have increased, leaching of nutrients has reduced and establishment costs have been lowered. On the negative side grass weed control is more difficult but through use of effective stale seedbeds and good rotation they can be controlled. Also good planning and knowledge of the grass weed problem are essential to ensure the correct stale seedbed techniques and chemicals are being used.

Soil examination to identify any problems before beginning to Min-Till is essential. At the workshop farmers were shown that most soil problems, which will affect crop growth, could be identified in the top 30cm by simply digging with a spade. If plant roots are penetrating all the way through the profile then there is no need for sub-soiling. Once any sub-soil problems have been corrected good practice in terms of keeping field traffic to a minimum and using low tyre pressures under a Min-Till system should prevent any re occurrence of the problems

The host farmers were Clive Weir, Hillsborough and Jim and Richard Kane, Myroe. Both farms have adopted similar systems of non-inversion tillage. As soon as fields are cleared any problem areas are examined for compaction and sub soiled as necessary. Following this shallow cultivations are carried out down to a depth of 5 -10 cm (three inches). This creates a stale seedbed, which is then rolled to encourage germination of grass weeds and volunteer cereals. After two to three weeks the stale seedbed is sprayed of with glyphosate and the crop is then drilled with a Moore Uni-drill.

Both farmers have so far had good experiences of the system but stress the need for attention to detail to prevent grass weed problems getting out of hand and also the need for good planning to get all the work carried out in good conditions. One noted benefit of the system has been an improvement in the ability of the ground to carry machinery in the early spring, which has allowed for better timing of inputs to the crops.

Dr Vic Jordan Soil Management Initiative, second right, discussing the use of the Kongskilde Vibroflex for Min-Till with from left to right Hugh Curry, Robert Glenn, William Russell, host Farmer Richard Kane, and Robert Moore at the recent Min-Till workshop at Limavady