Planning

Changes to tillage systems need to be planned well before they take place, the best time is just before combining when soil structure is at its best. At this stage the soil has weathered down, crop root action and earthworms have aerated and loosened it and the micro-organisms have been able to balance the soil rumen to its best under prevailing circumstances. Compaction is at its minimum - enemy No1 for good production is soil compaction.

Those who pay more attention to soil structure get higher yields and lower costs - consistently! There are three broadly based systems to consider (1) Direct Drilling, (2) Minimum Tillage and (3) Plough based.

Under these headings we will endeavour to give you as much information as possible and ideas for you to evaluate/incorporate/adapt to suit your farm conditions and cropping programme.