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IN THE FIELD. Farm manager Evan Miles with soil conservation district agent looking at corn no-tilled into sprayed-down cover crops on Bluestem Farm in Chestertown, Md. Edwin Remsberg and USDA-SARE

Preparing Ground for No-Till Transition Requires Thinking Ahead

Here are some tips from the experts for getting your ground ready for long-term no-till success

Transition to no-till management on cropland is a multi-staged process that requires planning, preparation & substantial equipment modifications. Success hinges on being prepared. Before beginning, here are some key tips to keep in mind.

Preparation for no-till begins the year before. Fix nutrient imbalances and drainage concerns before starting no-till. Initial soil sampling and analysis is key to long-term success.

Cover crops are also an important aspect to ensuring long-term successful no-till implementation. Cover crops can make the ground softer and can help dry out wet soils in the spring. They also contribute organic matter that encourages microbial activity and nutrient cycling.

It’s also important to keep in mind that transition to no-till takes time. Fields can take up to 5 years before showing signs of better soil tilth and biological activity. Soils will improve much faster when cover crops are integrated into the rotation. And while patience will be necessary, In the long run, you won’t regret switching to no-till.

The first years of no-till can be challenging. But in the long run, soil under no-till management will be healthier, more resilient and require less chemical and mechanical inputs.

Where to Begin

Farmers should not aim to transition all fields to no-till at once. Start in fields that are well drained, have good soil structure, higher residue cover & adequate soil nutrient levels. These soils will respond most favorably to no-till, reducing the potential for yield decline in the first few years.

Farmers should also aim to transition fields…

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