Update from the Field: No-Till, No-Worries
Posted by David Dyson, Agronomist on January 15, 2018
This post may reference products and/or services only available to our Retail Farm Center customers. For more information contact your Territory Manager at The Andersons.
Last week, I attended the National No-Till Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. I spoke with many farmers about the benefits of using a seed safe, highly efficient, high quality starter in-furrow. A high quality, low-salt starter is very beneficial in any tillage system, but is particularly important in a no-till system.
When a farmer decides to move toward a no-till system, he can see many benefits. Residue is one of those benefits, but the farmer will have to manage fertility a bit differently. In a no-till system, none of the residue will be incorporated into the soil. This is an important distinction because vital nutrients can be tied up in the residue if these nutrients are applied to the surface.
Placing a concentrated band of nutrients with the seed in-furrow can be the most efficient way of delivering both macronutrients and micronutrients to the seedling. A high quality starter like Season Pass® with AVAIL® liquid fertilizer will provide nitrogen, phosphorous (protected by AVAIL), potassium, zinc, and sulfur. Season Pass with AVAIL liquid fertilizer can be safely applied with the seed, so you can bypass the residue on the surface and create an environment for a fast and uniform emergence.
The heavy residue that accompanies a no-till system can harbor insects and disease. If we can decrease the time that corn seedling stays in the ground and increase the rate of growth, we will improve the stand, which will in turn increase yields.
Using an in-furrow starter can assist in delivering insecticides for protection against seedling insects and provide additional protection for cutworm or rootworms. In addition to insecticides, we can mix biologicals into the starter, delivering these agents directly on the seed for maximum effect.
In conclusion, a high quality, low-salt starter can give you a yield advantage in any tillage system, but in a no-till system it is a must. It will deliver essential nutrients without being tied up in the residue and can deliver insecticides for protection and biologicals for increased yields.
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Dave Dyson is a regional agronomist for The Andersons’ Farm Centers which are located throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. He is an Indiana native and grew up on a dairy farm in Miami County. A graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Crop & Soil Science, Dave has a deep knowledge of various agronomic topics and is committed to helping growers improve their crops. If you have any questions, Dave can be reached at david_dyson@andersonsinc.com.
AVAIL is a registered trademark of Verdesian Life Sciences. Season Pass is a registered trademark of The Andersons, Inc.
