Vertical Tillage

[farmaholic]

I don't like the idea of burning residue or intensive tillage but its hard to ignore some of the drawbacks(cold soils, disease harbouring environment, lack of needed soil drying at times) of a heavy thatch of straw on the surface. Yet the points Tom brought up are also real. Flexibility is the key--conditions change.

[furrowtickler]

Had the best choppers - MAV's, and cut short, been ther done that long ago, tried to do it perfect the first time. It may work for some but definitely not for all - that's the great thing about farming.

[Mjolnir]

How about something like an Agrowplow? Doesn't disturb the top but cracks the hard pan, done on contour it should help getting the run off into the ground where it belongs instead of pooling on the surface. The only downside is the time needed, they don't move real fast, apparently they only recomend that it be done once every five years or so though.

[freewheat]

My roots and earthworms already are doing that for me. Why use expensive steel and fuel, when the soil life does the subsoiling/compaction busting for me?

[blackpowder]

All well and good everyone. Specialized tools for specific situations. I rented a Joker this spring for pea stubble because there was no other way.
Neighbours buying VT for similar reasons.
Lesson is never say never.