No-Till Drill Information
Why To Try No-Till Drilling?
No-till is a farming practice that comes along with some great benefits which include improved soil organic matter, reduced fertilizer input needs, and improved yields.
No-till planting can mitigate the severity of both drought and flood conditions throughout the growing season. This is because no-till planting slices a small opening in the soil, drops a seed, then seals and packs that opening closed which minimizes soil disturbance and leaves plant residue in place. Preserving and utilizing last year’s cash crops stalks and root matter is key to enhancing soil carbon, microorganisms and water holding capacity. In times of drought, residue on top and below the soil surface can act as a mulching agent which helps with retaining moisture in the soil.
On the other hand, during wet conditions, residue that has been preserved and broken down over time improves soil porosity, leading to less ponding. This process works because root and stalk residue create channels for air and water exchange beneath the surface of the soil. These channels offer habitat for beneficial microorganisms and encourage nutrient transport to the crop.
It has been found that conventional spring and fall tillage routinely destroy these channels which in turn lead to more soil compaction. Compacted soils are more prone to ponding and exacerbate heat and drought stress on crops. Compaction and a lack of cover crops can also cause serious sedimentation and nutrient transport into nearby waterways, altering stream habitat, water temperatures and water chemistry. Adopting methods to lessen the frequency and intensity of tilling will improve soil structure and weather resiliency for crops, and most importantly, save time and money for the producer’s operations.
Why Choose No-Till Farming?
About Our No-Till Drill
The Mason-Lake Conservation District has a no-till drill available for rent. The rental drill is a John Deere 1560 model and a great way for farmers and landowners to try out a piece of equipment and learn how to minimize soil tillage in their operation. The drill has a 10-foot width and a 7.5-inch row spacing. It has two seed boxes to accommodate larger seeds (up to soybean size) and another for smaller seed like timothy, alfalfa, and other varieties used in hay. Our drill does not have a specialized box for planting fluffy seeds like Michigan’s native grasses, but we have alternate recommendations if this is something you're interested in.
How To Rent The No-Till Drill
If you would like to rent the no-till drill, it is $10.00 per acre with a minimum rental of $50.00 per use, and we will need a copy of our rental agreement on file. If you haven't completed one with us recently, please fill out a new form, as we have updated our agreement.
You can fill it out online, download and print a copy, or complete one in our office. The form outlines rental costs, use requirements, cleaning expectations, and liability details. Be sure to review the terms before signing.
If you have any questions, contact our office at 231-757-3707 ext. 5
Do’s And Don’ts Of No-Till Farming
Select fields that are fertile, well drained and relatively weed free.
Use insecticides and herbicides as recommended and at recommended rates, in a timely manner.
Fertilize and lime according to soil test.
Plant seed varieties that are recommended for no-till.
Monitor fields after planting for possible insect damage.
If necessary apply additional herbicide on escape weeds.
Wait until soil warms up (50°-55°) before planting.
Use higher seedling rates.
Plan your fertilizer program in advance especially how to apply nitrogen.
Do’s
Substitute no-till for drainage!
Cut corners with herbicides and fertilizers.
Expect no-till to be successful on poorly drained and compacted soils.
Chop, disc, chisel, plow or disturb old crop residues in any manner before no-till planting.
Use a planter that is not adapted for no-till.
Plant too fast – (3-5 m.p.h. maximum)