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What should you pay attention to when practicing no-plough farming?
The transition from traditional plowing to no-plough farming may appear straightforward—simply stop using a plow. However, there is no universally correct method for implementing no-plough farming. For insights on effectively executing the transition and understanding key aspects of no-plough farming, this article is for you.
What is the biggest difference between plowing and no-plough farming?
Many farmers, pleased with the benefits of no-plough cultivation, envision it as follows: "I stop using the plow and start using a cultivator or a disc harrow. Costs decrease, yields increase, and all problems are resolved.” Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Using a plow has the "advantage" that the farmer begins anew each season because, as Prof. Tomasz Piechota states, "deep plowing covers our mistakes".
No-plow farming requires detailed planning and is challenging, particularly in the initial stages. Various factors influence the outcomes, either positively or negatively. Unfortunately, many farmers have made numerous mistakes, leading to unsatisfactory results in cultivation without plowing. How can these mistakes be avoided?
Introduce crop rotation
The most important element of no-plow cultivation is the rotation of plants in the field - the more diverse the crop rotation, the better. Sowing one species (e.g., wheat) in the same area season after season sterilizes the soil because the plants constantly use the same nutrients. However, improperly planned crop rotation also leads to problems, e.g., self-seeding, diseases, and pests in subsequent crops. Only good selection of plant rotation will fertilize the soil and prevent the development of troublesome weeds and diseases.
Ensure even distribution of crop residues
Leaving harvest residues is crucial, with even distribution over the field surface being essential. To achieve this, utilize appropriate equipment, such as a combine harvester with a well-positioned straw chopper and chaff spreader (for larger widths). Rolmako's offerings are ideal for managing post-harvest residues, including the SpeedCutter disc harrow and the SpringExpert mulching harrow (among other Rolmako machines).
Remember that improperly spreading straw is a nearly irreparable mistake, with consequences evident in the following season. Additionally, rotting crop residues deteriorate soil condition and foster the development of various pathogens.
Cover Crops – An Important Step in No-Plough Cultivation
Another essential component of no-plough cultivation is cover crops. These plants, used as catch crops, have the ability to release nutrients found in the soil that are otherwise unavailable to other plants. Cover crops serve as food for earthworms, which convert them into valuable fertilizer. They also protect the soil against wind and water erosion, prevent excessive growth of self-seeding plants and weeds, and often supply subsequent plants with easily assimilable nitrogen. Additionally, the roots of cover crops positively impact the soil's structure, which is not visible to the naked eye.
How to grow crops without a plow?
Cultivate as deep as necessary and as little as possible—a well-known principle to all farmers. Self-sowing plants require ultra-shallow cultivation (5-7 cm), for which the Rolmako SpeedCutter disc harrow, ComboTill cultivation combination, or SpringExpert mulch harrow are suitable. Eliminating the plow sole may require subsoiling to a depth greater than the compaction itself. For this, you can use Rolmako subsoilers (e.g., multi-purpose or universal) or a chisel plow. Perform this procedure on dry soil, as compacted soil crumbles more easily. If the field is in good condition and you grow plants with a tap root system, subsoiling may be unnecessary. Do not forget to evenly mix crop residues with the soil.
How to use herbicides? With caution
Certain herbicides utilized in no-plow farming can negatively affect subsequent crops. This is especially crucial when beets, corn, or legumes follow cereals in the rotation, as well as under conditions of drought and the thinning of frost-damaged winter cereals.
Monitor self-seeding and weeds closely
Early eradication of volunteer seedlings and weeds is crucial as they can be detrimental to crops in the absence of a plow. Their growth leads to increased water consumption, potentially depriving crop plants of necessary water. Furthermore, self-seeding and weeds facilitate the development of diseases and pests in subsequent crops. Occasionally, if crop rotation permits, farmers use them as cover crops. However, weeds that endure post-harvest or spring cultivation will enter a growth stage that complicates their chemical control, posing a significant issue for crops.
How to Transition to No-Plow Cultivation
Farmers transitioning from plowing to no-plow cultivation should initially observe field conditions carefully. This method requires a deeper understanding of soil processes, as the farmer continues activities from the previous season, not starting anew.
Where to Acquire the Necessary Knowledge?
Valuable information is available on the Rolmako blog and agricultural guide. Additionally, resources found on the Internet or in the media can be useful, but it is often most beneficial to consult colleagues who have successfully implemented no-plough cultivation. This allows for firsthand observation of farming without a plow. Is it worth it? Certainly.
Is it worth switching to no-plough farming?
Professor Tomasz Piechota stated that plowing does not eliminate errors. Rejecting it is a crucial step toward regenerative (also called conservation) cultivation. Most soils subjected to conventional agriculture for years (or even generations) resemble a tired, overworked, and weakened body. There is still hope for its recovery, but action is required promptly.
Why does rational tillage without a plow, ultra-shallow, strip, or no-till "conserve" the soil?
After plowing, the soil loses its protective layer (e.g., crop residues), leading to degradation from strong winds or heavy rains. Organic carbon oxidizes, reducing the amount of humus. Soil aggregates deteriorate, and the lumpy structure declines. Additionally, beneficial organisms (such as earthworms) are exposed to unfavorable conditions on the surface, leading to their death. There is also a high emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from fuel combustion and oxidation of organic matter.
In the case of no-plough cultivation, maintaining plant cover (at least 30% of the field surface) protects the soil from water and wind erosion. Erosional nutrient losses are reduced, while the amount of organic carbon increases. No-plough farming also requires less fuel consumption, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is significant for environmental protection and combating global warming. The biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil improve, enhancing biodiversity. Although transitioning from plowing to no-plow requires planning, it is worth the effort.
Introduce crop rotation
The most important element of no-plow cultivation is the rotation of plants in the field - the more diverse the crop rotation, the better. Sowing one species (e.g., wheat) in the same area season after season sterilizes the soil because the plants constantly use the same nutrients. However, improperly planned crop rotation also leads to problems, e.g., self-seeding, diseases, and pests in subsequent crops. Only good selection of plant rotation will fertilize the soil and prevent the development of troublesome weeds and diseases.
Ensure even distribution of crop residues
Leaving harvest residues is crucial, with even distribution over the field surface being essential. To achieve this, utilize appropriate equipment, such as a combine harvester with a well-positioned straw chopper and chaff spreader (for larger widths). Rolmako's offerings are ideal for managing post-harvest residues, including the SpeedCutter disc harrow and the SpringExpert mulching harrow (among other Rolmako machines).
Remember that improperly spreading straw is a nearly irreparable mistake, with consequences evident in the following season. Additionally, rotting crop residues deteriorate soil condition and foster the development of various pathogens.
Cover Crops – An Important Step in No-Plough Cultivation
Another essential component of no-plough cultivation is cover crops. These plants, used as catch crops, have the ability to release nutrients found in the soil that are otherwise unavailable to other plants. Cover crops serve as food for earthworms, which convert them into valuable fertilizer. They also protect the soil against wind and water erosion, prevent excessive growth of self-seeding plants and weeds, and often supply subsequent plants with easily assimilable nitrogen. Additionally, the roots of cover crops positively impact the soil's structure, which is not visible to the naked eye.
How to grow crops without a plow?
Cultivate as deep as necessary and as little as possible—a well-known principle to all farmers. Self-sowing plants require ultra-shallow cultivation (5-7 cm), for which the Rolmako SpeedCutter disc harrow, ComboTill cultivation combination, or SpringExpert mulch harrow are suitable. Eliminating the plow sole may require subsoiling to a depth greater than the compaction itself. For this, you can use Rolmako subsoilers (e.g., multi-purpose or universal) or a chisel plow. Perform this procedure on dry soil, as compacted soil crumbles more easily. If the field is in good condition and you grow plants with a tap root system, subsoiling may be unnecessary. Do not forget to evenly mix crop residues with the soil.
How to use herbicides? With caution
Certain herbicides utilized in no-plow farming can negatively affect subsequent crops. This is especially crucial when beets, corn, or legumes follow cereals in the rotation, as well as under conditions of drought and the thinning of frost-damaged winter cereals.
Monitor self-seeding and weeds closely
Early eradication of volunteer seedlings and weeds is crucial as they can be detrimental to crops in the absence of a plow. Their growth leads to increased water consumption, potentially depriving crop plants of necessary water. Furthermore, self-seeding and weeds facilitate the development of diseases and pests in subsequent crops. Occasionally, if crop rotation permits, farmers use them as cover crops. However, weeds that endure post-harvest or spring cultivation will enter a growth stage that complicates their chemical control, posing a significant issue for crops.
How to Transition to No-Plow Cultivation
Farmers transitioning from plowing to no-plow cultivation should initially observe field conditions carefully. This method requires a deeper understanding of soil processes, as the farmer continues activities from the previous season, not starting anew.
Where to Acquire the Necessary Knowledge?
Valuable information is available on the Rolmako blog and agricultural guide. Additionally, resources found on the Internet or in the media can be useful, but it is often most beneficial to consult colleagues who have successfully implemented no-plough cultivation. This allows for firsthand observation of farming without a plow. Is it worth it? Certainly.
Is it worth switching to no-plough farming?
Professor Tomasz Piechota stated that plowing does not eliminate errors. Rejecting it is a crucial step toward regenerative (also called conservation) cultivation. Most soils subjected to conventional agriculture for years (or even generations) resemble a tired, overworked, and weakened body. There is still hope for its recovery, but action is required promptly.
Why does rational tillage without a plow, ultra-shallow, strip, or no-till "conserve" the soil?
After plowing, the soil loses its protective layer (e.g., crop residues), leading to degradation from strong winds or heavy rains. Organic carbon oxidizes, reducing the amount of humus. Soil aggregates deteriorate, and the lumpy structure declines. Additionally, beneficial organisms (such as earthworms) are exposed to unfavorable conditions on the surface, leading to their death. There is also a high emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from fuel combustion and oxidation of organic matter.
In the case of no-plough cultivation, maintaining plant cover (at least 30% of the field surface) protects the soil from water and wind erosion. Erosional nutrient losses are reduced, while the amount of organic carbon increases. No-plough farming also requires less fuel consumption, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is significant for environmental protection and combating global warming. The biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil improve, enhancing biodiversity. Although transitioning from plowing to no-plow requires planning, it is worth the effort.
Remember that improperly spreading straw is a nearly irreparable mistake, with consequences evident in the following season. Additionally, rotting crop residues deteriorate soil condition and foster the development of various pathogens.
Cover Crops – An Important Step in No-Plough Cultivation
Another essential component of no-plough cultivation is cover crops. These plants, used as catch crops, have the ability to release nutrients found in the soil that are otherwise unavailable to other plants. Cover crops serve as food for earthworms, which convert them into valuable fertilizer. They also protect the soil against wind and water erosion, prevent excessive growth of self-seeding plants and weeds, and often supply subsequent plants with easily assimilable nitrogen. Additionally, the roots of cover crops positively impact the soil's structure, which is not visible to the naked eye.
How to grow crops without a plow?
Cultivate as deep as necessary and as little as possible—a well-known principle to all farmers. Self-sowing plants require ultra-shallow cultivation (5-7 cm), for which the Rolmako SpeedCutter disc harrow, ComboTill cultivation combination, or SpringExpert mulch harrow are suitable. Eliminating the plow sole may require subsoiling to a depth greater than the compaction itself. For this, you can use Rolmako subsoilers (e.g., multi-purpose or universal) or a chisel plow. Perform this procedure on dry soil, as compacted soil crumbles more easily. If the field is in good condition and you grow plants with a tap root system, subsoiling may be unnecessary. Do not forget to evenly mix crop residues with the soil.
How to use herbicides? With caution
Certain herbicides utilized in no-plow farming can negatively affect subsequent crops. This is especially crucial when beets, corn, or legumes follow cereals in the rotation, as well as under conditions of drought and the thinning of frost-damaged winter cereals.
Monitor self-seeding and weeds closely
Early eradication of volunteer seedlings and weeds is crucial as they can be detrimental to crops in the absence of a plow. Their growth leads to increased water consumption, potentially depriving crop plants of necessary water. Furthermore, self-seeding and weeds facilitate the development of diseases and pests in subsequent crops. Occasionally, if crop rotation permits, farmers use them as cover crops. However, weeds that endure post-harvest or spring cultivation will enter a growth stage that complicates their chemical control, posing a significant issue for crops.
How to Transition to No-Plow Cultivation
Farmers transitioning from plowing to no-plow cultivation should initially observe field conditions carefully. This method requires a deeper understanding of soil processes, as the farmer continues activities from the previous season, not starting anew.
Where to Acquire the Necessary Knowledge?
Valuable information is available on the Rolmako blog and agricultural guide. Additionally, resources found on the Internet or in the media can be useful, but it is often most beneficial to consult colleagues who have successfully implemented no-plough cultivation. This allows for firsthand observation of farming without a plow. Is it worth it? Certainly.
Is it worth switching to no-plough farming?
Professor Tomasz Piechota stated that plowing does not eliminate errors. Rejecting it is a crucial step toward regenerative (also called conservation) cultivation. Most soils subjected to conventional agriculture for years (or even generations) resemble a tired, overworked, and weakened body. There is still hope for its recovery, but action is required promptly.
Why does rational tillage without a plow, ultra-shallow, strip, or no-till "conserve" the soil?
After plowing, the soil loses its protective layer (e.g., crop residues), leading to degradation from strong winds or heavy rains. Organic carbon oxidizes, reducing the amount of humus. Soil aggregates deteriorate, and the lumpy structure declines. Additionally, beneficial organisms (such as earthworms) are exposed to unfavorable conditions on the surface, leading to their death. There is also a high emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from fuel combustion and oxidation of organic matter.
In the case of no-plough cultivation, maintaining plant cover (at least 30% of the field surface) protects the soil from water and wind erosion. Erosional nutrient losses are reduced, while the amount of organic carbon increases. No-plough farming also requires less fuel consumption, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is significant for environmental protection and combating global warming. The biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil improve, enhancing biodiversity. Although transitioning from plowing to no-plow requires planning, it is worth the effort.
How to use herbicides? With caution
Certain herbicides utilized in no-plow farming can negatively affect subsequent crops. This is especially crucial when beets, corn, or legumes follow cereals in the rotation, as well as under conditions of drought and the thinning of frost-damaged winter cereals.
Monitor self-seeding and weeds closely
Early eradication of volunteer seedlings and weeds is crucial as they can be detrimental to crops in the absence of a plow. Their growth leads to increased water consumption, potentially depriving crop plants of necessary water. Furthermore, self-seeding and weeds facilitate the development of diseases and pests in subsequent crops. Occasionally, if crop rotation permits, farmers use them as cover crops. However, weeds that endure post-harvest or spring cultivation will enter a growth stage that complicates their chemical control, posing a significant issue for crops.
How to Transition to No-Plow Cultivation
Farmers transitioning from plowing to no-plow cultivation should initially observe field conditions carefully. This method requires a deeper understanding of soil processes, as the farmer continues activities from the previous season, not starting anew.
Where to Acquire the Necessary Knowledge?
Valuable information is available on the Rolmako blog and agricultural guide. Additionally, resources found on the Internet or in the media can be useful, but it is often most beneficial to consult colleagues who have successfully implemented no-plough cultivation. This allows for firsthand observation of farming without a plow. Is it worth it? Certainly.
Is it worth switching to no-plough farming?
Professor Tomasz Piechota stated that plowing does not eliminate errors. Rejecting it is a crucial step toward regenerative (also called conservation) cultivation. Most soils subjected to conventional agriculture for years (or even generations) resemble a tired, overworked, and weakened body. There is still hope for its recovery, but action is required promptly.
Why does rational tillage without a plow, ultra-shallow, strip, or no-till "conserve" the soil?
After plowing, the soil loses its protective layer (e.g., crop residues), leading to degradation from strong winds or heavy rains. Organic carbon oxidizes, reducing the amount of humus. Soil aggregates deteriorate, and the lumpy structure declines. Additionally, beneficial organisms (such as earthworms) are exposed to unfavorable conditions on the surface, leading to their death. There is also a high emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from fuel combustion and oxidation of organic matter.
In the case of no-plough cultivation, maintaining plant cover (at least 30% of the field surface) protects the soil from water and wind erosion. Erosional nutrient losses are reduced, while the amount of organic carbon increases. No-plough farming also requires less fuel consumption, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is significant for environmental protection and combating global warming. The biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil improve, enhancing biodiversity. Although transitioning from plowing to no-plow requires planning, it is worth the effort.
How to Transition to No-Plow Cultivation
Farmers transitioning from plowing to no-plow cultivation should initially observe field conditions carefully. This method requires a deeper understanding of soil processes, as the farmer continues activities from the previous season, not starting anew.
Where to Acquire the Necessary Knowledge?
Valuable information is available on the Rolmako blog and agricultural guide. Additionally, resources found on the Internet or in the media can be useful, but it is often most beneficial to consult colleagues who have successfully implemented no-plough cultivation. This allows for firsthand observation of farming without a plow. Is it worth it? Certainly.
Is it worth switching to no-plough farming?
Professor Tomasz Piechota stated that plowing does not eliminate errors. Rejecting it is a crucial step toward regenerative (also called conservation) cultivation. Most soils subjected to conventional agriculture for years (or even generations) resemble a tired, overworked, and weakened body. There is still hope for its recovery, but action is required promptly.
Why does rational tillage without a plow, ultra-shallow, strip, or no-till "conserve" the soil?
After plowing, the soil loses its protective layer (e.g., crop residues), leading to degradation from strong winds or heavy rains. Organic carbon oxidizes, reducing the amount of humus. Soil aggregates deteriorate, and the lumpy structure declines. Additionally, beneficial organisms (such as earthworms) are exposed to unfavorable conditions on the surface, leading to their death. There is also a high emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from fuel combustion and oxidation of organic matter.
In the case of no-plough cultivation, maintaining plant cover (at least 30% of the field surface) protects the soil from water and wind erosion. Erosional nutrient losses are reduced, while the amount of organic carbon increases. No-plough farming also requires less fuel consumption, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is significant for environmental protection and combating global warming. The biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil improve, enhancing biodiversity. Although transitioning from plowing to no-plow requires planning, it is worth the effort.
Is it worth switching to no-plough farming?
Professor Tomasz Piechota stated that plowing does not eliminate errors. Rejecting it is a crucial step toward regenerative (also called conservation) cultivation. Most soils subjected to conventional agriculture for years (or even generations) resemble a tired, overworked, and weakened body. There is still hope for its recovery, but action is required promptly.
Why does rational tillage without a plow, ultra-shallow, strip, or no-till "conserve" the soil?
After plowing, the soil loses its protective layer (e.g., crop residues), leading to degradation from strong winds or heavy rains. Organic carbon oxidizes, reducing the amount of humus. Soil aggregates deteriorate, and the lumpy structure declines. Additionally, beneficial organisms (such as earthworms) are exposed to unfavorable conditions on the surface, leading to their death. There is also a high emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from fuel combustion and oxidation of organic matter.
In the case of no-plough cultivation, maintaining plant cover (at least 30% of the field surface) protects the soil from water and wind erosion. Erosional nutrient losses are reduced, while the amount of organic carbon increases. No-plough farming also requires less fuel consumption, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is significant for environmental protection and combating global warming. The biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil improve, enhancing biodiversity. Although transitioning from plowing to no-plow requires planning, it is worth the effort.
In the case of no-plough cultivation, maintaining plant cover (at least 30% of the field surface) protects the soil from water and wind erosion. Erosional nutrient losses are reduced, while the amount of organic carbon increases. No-plough farming also requires less fuel consumption, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is significant for environmental protection and combating global warming. The biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil improve, enhancing biodiversity. Although transitioning from plowing to no-plow requires planning, it is worth the effort.
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