Growers Use Crop Residues to Increase Yields and Protect Soil

Growers Use Crop Residues to Increase Yields and Protect Soil
Growers using no-till and reduce till systems have reduced soil erosion in Northwest Missouri to a point that we have achieved many of our goals in reducing soil loss. However, with heavy rains this spring and some of the damage that occurred in 2007, we do have some small ditches in fields.
If you have fields that have damage, you may want to smooth the ditch edges with a blade. Plowing or disking loosens more soil and this can dislodge with the impact of rains. Also, sowing some winter small grains that can create residue will help absorb the energy from rain. Old crop residues also help prevent erosion once the ditches are filled.
As we continue to look for ways to improve crop yields, some are questioning the value of no-till. We only have to look back about 20 years to see the benefits we have now.
When we lose topsoil, our crop yields decline. The organic matter contained in top-soil provides our crops with sources of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Organic matter also provides the environment for good plant growth.
Our data at the Graves-Chapple Farm continue to show that no-till crop yields are equal to or greater than other tillage systems. Also, when you examine the income and expense, the economics are better with no-till.
Another reason for continuing with no-till is increased water infiltration. Tests conducted years ago at Graves-Chapple showed that no-till had greater infiltration rates of water compared to other tillage systems even ripping the soil. We also repeated this again last year at the Graves-Chapple Farm and again the results were faster infiltration rates with no-till.
The use of crop residues to protect the soil and the use of mechanical practices to move excess water off of row crop fields continue to be important strategies to keep our soils productive and producing high crop yields. Lets continue using these practices so future generations can have access to this resource.
For more information contact Wayne Flanary at (660)446-3724 or Heather Benedict at (660)425-6434, Regional Agronomists with the University of Missouri Extension.