The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, Feb. 11, continues fairly unchanged from the last several weeks. Stafford County and part of Pawnee are totally out of drought. Barton is primarily abnormally dry with the northern third in moderate drought. The six to ten-day outlook (Feb. 18 to 22) indicates a 60 to 80% chance of likely below normal for temperatures and a 40 to 50% chance of leaning above normal for precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (Feb. 20 to 26) indicates normal to slightly   below normal for temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of leaning below normal for precipitation.  

As we slowly thaw out again, spring planting is just around the corner. Compared to many of the last several years, there is some soil moisture with some parts of the state totally out of dry conditions. Soil moisture is a valuable commodity and we must do everything we can to keep it and not waste it. Today, what if any tillage, should be performed?

• First, there is no single answer regarding tillage and the answer can vary from region to region, farm to farm, and even field to field.

• The advantages to reducing, or even eliminating tillage, include decreased soil water loss from evaporation; better soil structure; increasing soil organic matter; decreasing wind and water erosion; cooler summer soil temperatures; and increased savings in fuel, labor, and equipment costs. Disadvantages may include cooler, wetter soils at planting; denser soil structure, at least initially; increased disease, insect and weed pressure, especially under monocultures; and residue control.

• Most tillage is performed for two major reasons. Number one is weed control. As herbicides improved, producers were better able to control weeds. This allowed for tillage reduction and even elimination. However, as herbicide resistance problems arose with important herbicides such as glyphosate, some producers went back to tillage for control of problem weeds. Chemical options are available but they are expensive. Not only are many of the herbicides more expensive but they often require purchasing more expensive seed. The other major reason is residue management, especially under monocultures, for pest and residue management. Other reasons may include the incorporation fertilizers and herbicides.

• The moldboard plowing of fields here is almost nonexistent except for special situations such as building terraces. Little soil inversion occurs today. However, certain implements such as a chisel plow, one-way, and offset disk can eliminate residue and destroy soil structure. Most producers today use less aggressive implements such as sweeps, v-blades, and field cultivators. A practice that has grown in popularity over the last 20 years is strip tillage. This prepares a seedbed three to four inches wide the crop is planted into while leaving the majority of the soil undisturbed. The idea is to combine the benefits of tillage with benefits from no-tillage.

• What a producer decides should fit their operation, address problems, and optimize yield potential.

Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.