Why do you use no tillage?

[Jennifer Veenstra]

Hi all,

I am a PhD student at Sheffield University. My project is about no tillage adoption in Europe. I am looking for East Midlands’ and Yorkshire and Humber no tillage farmers who want to participate!

Participation consists in an interview about the reasons why you use this system, and the assessment of some soil characteristics in one of your no tilled fields. Specifically, I will focus on soil structure, soil compaction (penetration resistance and bulk density) and determine the C/N rate. Afterwards we will have a discussion about the results. Your responses and soil test results will be anonymous.

Does this sound interesting? Do you want to participate or know more about it? Drop me a line! [email protected]

 

[Farmer Roy]

Not relevant to you as I'm not in Europe . . .


But . . . zero till gives me a degree of reliability & risk management of production in an extreme climate, that I would not have if I was farming "conventionally". It also gives me massive savings in diesel, machinery & labour costs, is improving soil structure & biology, & greatly increases my flexibility as a land owner / manager . . .

 

[Jennifer Veenstra]

Dear @Farmer Roy thanks for the info, I will take note and discuss these ideas with farmers over here to better understand no till adoption in local conditions.

 

[simonk88]

Would you be interested in strip tillage or just no-till?

 

[Kiwi Pete]

I'm another foreigner with a similar viewpoint as far as the benefits and lower costs/risks of running a no-till (or minimum tillage if absolutely necessary), syatem - but with very different climate to @Farmer Roy.
We are in a cool wet climate but with huge variables, tillage based systems and conventional farming methods seem to be quite limiting in terms of continuity of feed.. whereas the undisturbed soil and better soil health makes the farm much more resilient and productive as a result.
All adds up to more profit for us.

C:N here is around 11.8:1 with excellent aggregation.

 

[Jennifer Veenstra]

@simonk88 I am limiting myself to no-till, but thanks!

@Kiwi Pete thanks! Wish I could do the project world wide, bet NZ has stunning sights and interesting soils!

 

[SilliamWhale]

Cost, erosion and convenience

 

[Kiwi Pete]

@simonk88 I am limiting myself to no-till, but thanks!

@Kiwi Pete thanks! Wish I could do the project world wide, bet NZ has stunning sights and interesting soils!

We have very fresh soils down here, as settlers only arrived from 1840 onwards.
And high carbon too, so a lot to lose!
Easy digging for the rabbits:

Infiltration is around 130mm/hr with around 850mm year.
You'd be most welcome

 

[Louis Mc]

Social media self promotion mainly

 

[Acke]

Im lazy