Planting is also key to Strip-Till success
Expert on planter setup to address Strip-Till Expo Sept. 9 in Lamberton
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
“You only get one chance to get that seed in the ground just right, and your yield potential is at 100% at that moment,” said Jodi DeJong-Hughes said. She is a regional educator with University of Minnesota Extension. “Planting is more complicated in high residue environments like strip-till and no-till.”
Brian Luck, with University of Wisconsin Extension, will lend his expertise on setting up planters to work in high residue systems at the upcoming Strip Till Expo at Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton on Wednesday, September 9. Luck has studied how to ensure that the planting side of the equation in strip-tilling can be done to maximize yield potential. He will offer his session twice—at 9:50 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., to ensure that all attendees will have a chance to learn from his work.
Moving the residue off the strip allows proper seed placement and allows the seedlings to benefit from the solar effect on the bare strip. Trash can be pushed to the side with attachments like trash whippers and finger weeders. A variety of coulters can be set up to open the strip for the seed and then close the soil over it to ensure maximum contact. Luck will demonstrate items he has found to be effective.
The day is all about demonstration, with a dozen different strip-till machines available for viewing and comparison. Most of them will be demonstrated in action.
Another highlight of the day’s activities with be a farmer panel. Randy Depuydt, Pat Duncanson, and Brian Ryberg will share their decades of experiences, both the successes and challenges, in working with Strip Till.
Strip Till also changes the methodology for fertilizer application, changing over from broadcast/incorporation to banding. UMN Extension Nutrient Management specialist Dan Kaiser will cover this topic.
More than ever, farm economics tops the agenda, and Sam Brown from Minnesota Farmers Union will talk about how strip-till pencils out. The day begins with registration at 8:30 a.m., and will include lunch, as well as live demonstrations of strip-till machines in the afternoon. For more information or to register click here.
