Field Crop Production

Introduction

Producing high yields has always been an important part of farming. When input costs were low compared to crop returns, the best way to farm was to fertilize for maximum yields and then, add a little extra. The feeling was that you could lose more with too little input than with too much.

With the costs of fertilizer, fuel and other inputs increasing and crop prices not keeping pace, the emphasis has changed. Inputs are carefully measured so that the yield for each unit is worth more than the cost of the input. The greatest yields do not necessarily give the greatest profit.

Conventional tillage leaves less than 30% residue.

In recent years, the focus has widened to include environmental factors in the crop production equation. It is no longer acceptable to ignore what happens beyond the fence because of the way we farm.

Best management practices are tools for meeting today's agricultural goals. To be a best management practice, an action must maintain or increase crop returns while minimizing the impact on the environment. There is no one system for all farms. The combination of practices appropriate for your farm will depend on individual problems and opportunities.

Mulch tillage leaves more than 30% residue.

The first part of this book will help you understand the basics such as soil management, residue management, crop rotation, pest management, nutrient management as well as the importance of using a systematic approach to change. The next three sections focus on different types of tillage, conventional tillage, mulch tillage, and no-till/ridge tillage. And finally, the book provides some non-tillage options that improve the environment.

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Conventional tillage is any system which attempts to cover most of the residue, leaving less than 30% of the soil surface covered with residue (or crop remains) after planting. Usually, the moldboard plow is used along with a variety of other tillage tools.

Mulch tillage is any system where soil is disturbed between harvesting one crop and planting the next. However, in this case, more than 30% of the soil surface is left covered with residue after planting. Chisel plows, offset discs or modified moldboard plows are the common implements. Other terms that you may hear to describe this system are reduced tillage, minimum till or conservation tillage.

No-till is any system where the soil is not disturbed between harvesting one crop and planting the next. Some tillage may be done by attachments to planting equipment to assist seed and fertilizer placement.

Ridge tillage is a specific form of no-till where crops are planted on pre-formed ridges. Inter-row cultivation is done after the crop has emerged in order to control weeds and re-form the ridges.

You may wish to change your cropping system for many different reasons such as: to save money, to increase yields, to save labour, to solve erosion problems, or to reduce pesticide use. Whatever the reason, the first stage of change is to assess where you are now and what your goals are. Once you have done that, this book should help outline some of the options available. Good luck!

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Available in Published Version of Field Crop Production

• Reasons to Consider Changing Your System - Chart
• Corn Yield Index - Chart
• Energy Requirements for Different Tillage Systems - Chart
• Off-farm Concerns
• Learning Costs

| Introduction | Understanding the Basics | Approaching Change | Tillage Options | Non-tillage Options |
| Table of Contents |

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