Anew study says growers using narrow-angle row cleaners on 15-inch soybeans could increase yields enough to loosen up $20 per acre in savings, which could help pay for residue-management technology to optimize narrow row systems. The benefits don’t stop with yield they also include overall season-long crop performance factors, organizers say. 

In replicated southern Michigan trials, B&M Crop Consulting found a 3-year-average yield increase of more than 2 bushels per acre in a test of 45-degree row cleaners vs. no residue management.

Headquartered in Coldwater, Mich., B&M (Bill and Missy Bauer) provides fertility management for about 170,000 corn and soybean acres in southern Michigan, northeast Indiana and northwestern Ohio. The couple also conducts 1,500-2,000 acres of test plots annually for its farmer clients and others interested in field trial information.

Missy Bauer says Martin introduced the narrow-angle Martin-Till 45-degree, cab-controlled row cleaners several years ago and the company was interested in putting them on 15-inch soybean planters. 

Traditional row cleaners operate at 60-degrees and are known for plugging when they are mounted on plantes with narrow row spacings. Also, row units on 15-inch spacings may throw soil and residue out of the seed trench into adjacent rows, potentially causing emergence and stand problems — even on set-back planters.

“In 30-inch rows the 60s don’t cause a problem. But…