While some may be mulling over the possibility of narrow-row strip-tilling, no-tiller Joe Breker of Havana, N.D., decided to jot down on paper both the pros and the cons.

PROS:

• Warmer soil temperatures at no-till planting time.
• Mellow seedbed.
• Lessens need for fertilizer on the no-till drill or planter.
• Can use anhydrous ammonia if applied in the fall.
• Excellent fertilizer placement.
• Removes residue from the row.
• Allows earlier no-till planting.
• Allows some work to be done in the fall.
• Allows no-tilling of row crops in northern latitudes.
• Narrow rows compete with weeds better.
• Narrow rows have potential for higher no-till yields.

CONS:

• May require additional equipment.
• Window for application is sometimes narrow.
• Do not always have proper soil conditions for fertilizer application.
• Sometimes soil is too mellow for good no-till planter performance.
• May be difficult to keep the no-till planter on the row in some conditions.
• Equipment is more difficult to fit down narrow rows.
• Crop may be susceptible to lodging at higher plant populations.
• Equipment may be more expensive because of row width.