Harvest is completed, and many producers are making decisions about tillage and conservation practices. If you have a plan already in place, here are some points for you to consider following harvest next year.

The first decision is what tillage or practices need to be done after harvest. Because crop residue from harvest is still evenly spread on top of the soil, it is the best time to think about moving to a conservation tillage, no-till system, or implement other conservation practices. Making these decisions requires an understanding of these practices and considering what options may work best for specific field conditions and management requirements.

Managing conservation practices

Balancing between the environment and economics is a key issue when choosing between different conservation practices. It’s well known that conservation practices, such as reduced tillage and no-till, can help reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and increase overall soil productivity.  Additional economic benefits include lower production costs and increased profitability.

There may be some challenges in managing residue after harvest, but tillage shouldn’t be the answer. Planter modifications such as residue cleaners, heavier down-pressure springs or other residue management attachments are more cost-effective, given the environmental and economic expense associated with conventional tillage.

Another conservation practice commonly implemented is planting cover crops. This is usually performed by either broadcast seeding or drilling directly into the ground. While many types of cover crop mixes may be used, the most common types include cereal rye, winter wheat and oats.

Rainfall and soil moisture are important factors in establishing cover crops. Dry conditions may cause delays in seed germination. If possible, postpone seeding until rain chances improve for better germination. Switching to a cover crop with improved overwintering ability, such as cereal rye, can also be beneficial if dry soil conditions may persist.

Tillage benefits

Tillage can have some benefits. The most common reasons for tillage are to:

Soil type, slope and crop rotation greatly affect decisions about timing, intensity and type of tillage. These will also affect decisions about the level of residue left to protect the soil until next year’s crop emerges and grows.

If planning tillage, consider current soil conditions. Working wet soils can contribute to a soil compaction problem that you’re trying to improve.

Soil slope is also a key factor. Disturbing or turning under residue on soils with any degree of slope exposes the soil surface to wind and water erosion until next year’s crop establishes a canopy.

Make a plan and goal

As you make future cropping plans, consider implementing conservation practices. No matter what type of practices you decide to use, establish a goal of at least 30% residue cover at planting time next year. This amount of residue cover is important in:

The extended period of time when the soil has no living cover or residue presents a major environmental challenge when deciding on whether or not to perform any tillage practices.