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Introduction
It always seems that when the subject
of tillage comes up, there is someone who proudly boasts of having no-tilled for
a lot of years. You can probably think of someone who can make such a claim. You
might even be that person.
In over nearly twenty years of observing
tillage practices on farms it has become obvious that using a correctly
constructed and operated soil aerator has wrought significant and fundamental
changes to the soil environment. Unfortunately, very few machines have been
built to perform in the truest rendering of the invention. Nonetheless, there
are measurable differences, which are known to contribute to more topsoil
retention and more profitable crop production. Machines properly equipped have
been properly operating on farms for sufficient periods of time for measurements
to be taken.
Evidence
Growth
of organic matter content:
In
as little as four years of consistent annual aeration, the top three inches of
soil on the Charles Sullivan farm in Lewis County, New York State, increase in
organic by over fifty percent. Crops included alfalfa, corn for grain and corn
for silage production. In some fields it included use of wheat as a winter
cover. In all fields dairy cattle manure was applied in the same rates and
manner as had been previously. Soil samples were taken in profiles from surface
to three inches and from three to seven inches.
Available
Phosphorus
Soil
test show consistent improvement in level of P1 phosphorus by as much as 25%.
Combined readings of Bray 1 and 2 showed increases of up to 35%.
Magnesium
Availability
The
Sullivan farm historically called for addition of magnesium limestone to correct
recurring magnesium depressions. Levels as low as 5% base saturation were common
when work began on this farm. Within four years of converting tillage practices
the magnesium levels had increased on selected fields to the point that dolomite
lime would not be selected. Many of these fields had never received magnesium
from limestone.
Potash
Soil Levels
Normally
the annual usage of potash was about 20 tons on the Sullivan Farm. Within four
years the usage was down to less than half of that amount.
Calcium
Levels Decline
Normally
a high pH farm with calcium levels running up into the 80% base saturation
range, began to show test readings down in the low to mid 70’s and some fields
were actually requiring addition of calcium limestone. The Stinson farm in
Jefferson County New York, saw a field which had been in continuous corn silage
production for over thirty years change from needing two tons of dolomite lime
to requiring two tons of calcium limestone in three years. Use of dairy cattle
manure on alfalfa combined with soil aeration eliminated the need for broadcast
application of potash fertilizers. The soil amendment needed on Stinson was
Boron, which was added through the manure application.
Yields
The
Sullivan farm corn for grain yield increased from 125-150 bu./acre range to 175
bu./acre. Stinson switched from 30” row to 15” row corn for silage and
observed yields as high as 32 ton/acre with above average feeding value results.
Alfalfa
production practices included using less seed per acre in establishment, down to
10 and 12 pounds per acre instead of 20, increased longevity through reduced
heaving losses, and reduced weed pressure from dandelions. Rates of production
were hard to determine but they certainly didn’t decline and observation
clearly showed an increase in the number of vegetative shoots per crown resulted
from managing aeration and the flowering of the crop.
Longevity
of alfalfa stands has changed on the Paul Mason farm from 3 years as about the
end of the good times to no significant decline in the life of the stand in the
rotation, which is six years. Mason’s soils are considered poorly adapted to
alfalfa and more suitable for clover, and trefoil mixed hay stands. Internal
drainage is so poor that tile is not recommended and surface drainage and
land-leveling are FSA supported drainage practices.
In
Summary
The
tine type soil aerator in the original rendering of the patent largely
disappeared from the commercial row-crop and dairy farm scene in 1988. The kind
and magnitude of results seen on these farms was documented as a result of using
a tool, which is being re-introduced by Genesis Tillage™, Inc., which is
based in Hope, Indiana. For more information on how to purchase a new Genesis Tillage™, Inc. Gen-Till™ II machine, alter an existing soil aerator,
or build your own tool from components built by Genesis Tillage™, Inc., call
toll free 866-773-2730. |
