New tools aim to improve strip-till as minimal option

2022-11-11 06:18:55 By : Ms. tina tu

Doing tillage and fertilizer often means making two passes, but John Deere recently announced a new series of strip-till implements that could save farmers an extra pass. 

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Harvest has wrapped up in many locations and farmers are hard at work getting field work done ahead of the winter season. Cow Dung Compost Machine

New tools aim to improve strip-till as minimal option

Doing tillage and fertilizer often means making two passes, but John Deere announced during an Oct. 29 media event in Davenport a new series of strip-till implements that could save farmers an extra pass.

“These tractors have integrated fertilizer tanks available as optional equipment to carry a higher volume of fertilizer when you plant,” said Ryan Jardon, marketing manager for John Deere.

Steve Sporrer, tillage product specialist with John Deere, said some models of the new ST series of tillage equipment will have the fertilizer tanks attached. This will allow more precision in the field as well.

“When you look at the strip-till application, it allows us to get the fertilizer right where we are going to plant that seed,” he said. “It makes a nutrient-rich band and creates a nice seed bed.”

Strip tillage isn’t widely used. Deere representatives said only about 4-5% of farmers used the method compared to more than 30% using conventional tillage and another 35% using no-till methods. However, they are finding more interest from farmers looking at this option of minimal tillage.

“Strip-till can improve soil health, reduce erosion and conserve soil moisture,” Jardon said. “Strip-till has been shown to help farmers reduce input costs while maintaining yields and further maximizing their profitability. These new strip-till units give farmers the ability to prepare their seedbeds in the fall, so they’re ready to plant in the spring.”

To help with variable conditions in fields when doing minimal tillage, Jardon said their tillage equipment will utilize the new Tru-Set Active technology. This is a sensor placed on the implement, detecting how far off the ground the equipment is. When the tiller runs over a wet spot and sinks deeper into the soil, it will automatically adjust and raise the back end to keep depth consistent.

Tillage is a popular topic for sustainability advocates, with many pushing for operations to move toward reduced or no-till practices. These products are an effort by Deere to re-enter that space, Sporrer said.

“From a strip-till standpoint you can leave almost 60% of the soil undisturbed and keep residue in place to not contribute to erosion,” he said. “By doing minimal or less disturbance in the soil it can reduce carbon emissions.”

If the Tru-Set technology works as intended, Jardon said this could help ensure any minimal tillage practices are done correctly.

The new Deere implements will be available for order in February 2023, with shipments expected to start in summer 2023 to use next fall.

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Drought was the story throughout much of Iowa this season — along with much of the Midwest finding itself drier than normal.

GENESEO, Ill. — Wyffels Hybrids announced plans for a new site based in Ames, Iowa.

PRIMGHAR, Iowa — Northwest Iowa farmers were hard at work harvesting corn Oct. 12.

Fertilizer markets continue to be turbulent, but the impact on next season remains to be seen.

WASHINGTON, Iowa — The yield monitor was giving good reports for Michael Vittetoe as he ran his combine through his Washington County field in…

GLENWOOD, Iowa — John Stouder got an early start to harvest as he picked corn Sept. 30 near here in Mills County.

WINTERSET, Iowa — Vince Jackson was just getting started on the 2022 harvest during a perfect fall afternoon on Oct. 4.

BREDA, Iowa — Harvest 2022 has seen relatively smooth sailing for Alyce and Aaron Nieland.

Asian copperleaf (Acalypha australis) was first discovered in Iowa in 2016 in a corn field near Cedar Falls. Prior to this discovery, the only documented infestation in North America was within New York City.

Doing tillage and fertilizer often means making two passes, but John Deere recently announced a new series of strip-till implements that could save farmers an extra pass. 

New tools aim to improve strip-till as minimal option

Manure Making Machine At Home Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.