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The Benefits of Strip Till Farming
Fri, 28 Jul 2023 | PRODUCTS
Farming is a difficult job that requires a lot of effort and time, so it’s essential to choose the right techniques to achieve successful and sustainable yields. One of the most popular techniques nowadays is strip till farming.
This method combines the benefits of full tillage and no till by tilling narrow strips and leaving the area between the rows untouched. There are many advantages of strip till farming that lead to increased productivity.
Improved Soil Health — Strip till farming has an unquestionable positive impact on soil health. Tilling only a narrow band helps retain the moisture in the soil, which ensures that beneficial microbes and microorganisms can thrive. Additionally, it keeps the nutrients in the soil, leaving the area between the rows undisturbed. This allows the undisturbed soil to act as a cover crop, reducing soil erosion and enhancing the nutrient retention capacity of the land.
Increased Yield — Strip till farming has been shown to increase crop yield. The strips tilled in the soil help in warming it up, aiding seed germination. This increase in yield is due to the shallow soil tillage that helps reduce water evaporation and conserve moisture. Strip till farming also helps reduce soil compaction and improve nutrient availability for the crops. In addition, incorporating fertilizers into the tillage strips ensures that the roots of the plants can quickly access the nutrients they need to grow. All these factors contribute to an increased yield, making strip till farming a popular choice among farmers.
Cost-Effective — Strip till farming reduces the overall cost of production by cutting the number of passes. In addition, it helps conserve soil moisture and nutrients while minimizing weed growth, thus reducing the use of pesticides.
Soil Erosion Reduction — Soil degradation has become a significant concern in agriculture. Strip till farming provides an effective solution. The narrow strips tilled in the soil aid in slowing down and retaining the water flow, reducing soil erosion and nutrient loss.
Time –Saving time is essential for time-starved farmers. Reducing the number of passes required to prepare the land saves time for other essential farm activities. Moreover, the strips tilled help in warming up the soil; therefore, plant growth is faster.
To conclude, strip till farming provides significant benefits to farmers, their produce, and the environment as a whole. The method ensures improved soil health, increased yield, cost-effectiveness, soil erosion reduction, and time-saving. By adopting strip till farming, farmers can enjoy higher yields while minimizing the risks of deteriorating the quality of the land.
Using the right farm tires is also important for all of these factors and more. For instance, CEAT is delivering IF and VF technologies to farmers at more affordable pricing. One of the most important developments in farm tires in recent years, VF tires such as the CEAT Spraymax have the ability to carry 40% more load or the same load with 40% less pressure (20% of IF tires). The gentler footprint of the Spraymax VF translates into less soil compaction and crop damage.
