Adopting No Tillage

[York]

Just to get some of the info which was lost by the collapse of old BFF back into the world.
I think a very use full guide for people in which order they should approach No Till for their operations:
Top ten list of critical factors to No-tillage adoption
1. Improve your knowledge about the system, especially in weed control and
plan the change to permanent no-tillage at least one year in advance.
2. Analyse your soil (aim at a balanced nutrient and pH status)
3. Avoid soils with bad drainage
4. Level the soil surface
5. Eliminate soil compaction before going into the system
6. Produce the highest amount possible of mulch cover
7. Buy a no-till seeding machine
8. Start on 10% of your farm
9. Use crop rotation and green manure cover crops
10. Be prepared to learn constantly and be up to date with new developments.

taken of Rolf Derpsch site at: http://www.rolf-derpsch.com/
Now, we learned this the hard way and I have to accept that some farmers which started with No Till have gone back and even plowed. But why? they never did look at the first 6 points before getting a No Till drill. And this doesn't relate to any particular brand of No Till capable drill. So investing into the most advanced "steal" will not prevent anyone of potential failure.
York-Th.

 

[Clive]

Seems I broke the 10% rule already !

Great advice though York

 

[H.Jackson]

I've heard of these rules good to have them and see where they come from, jumped the gun a bit by having a dale drill demo,been improving the drainage all winter!!!!! Awaiting kinsey's book to come in the post.

 

[Fuzzy]

Surely points 2 to 5 are important factors in any farming system and with any crop ??? They are not specific to No till.
And i doubt anyone would just "buy a drill" (point 7) without having had a demo, ideally of more than one drill or at least looked at others using similar equipment !!! or do like i did borrow the neighbours first !

 

[York]

Surely points 2 to 5 are important factors in any farming system and with any crop ??? They are not specific to No till.
And i doubt anyone would just "buy a drill" (point 7) without having had a demo, ideally of more than one drill or at least looked at others using similar equipment !!! or do like i did borrow the neighbours first !

Fuzzy,
I have one which didn't have a demo, doesn't speak the language of the drill manufacturer or my language, just his native language, and still got a drill with a price tag others buy or build a house for.
you won't believe how many buy certain machinery just to have it.
York-Th.