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No-plough cultivation using a cultivator or chisel plow, which traditional farmers are apprehensive about, the Common Agricultural Policy as an incentive to implement cultivation simplifications
Switching to no-plough farming is highly advantageous, particularly for farmers facing drought. Cultivation without a plow is applicable to any soil type, yet many growers perceive it as a complex solution. Several questions remain ambiguous. How will plants respond to simplified cultivation? Will forgoing the plow result in more losses than gains? What about pests and weeds that emerge in the field? Undecided farmers seek answers and waver between facts and myths prevalent on this topic. This blog article will clarify all your doubts.
No-Plough Cultivation: Is There Anything to Be Afraid Of?
Farmers often face the challenge of maximizing their fields' potential while ensuring plants have optimal access to nutrients, air, and water. Is deep soil loosening always necessary to achieve the best results? Not necessarily. Simplified farming, including no-till cultivation, is emerging as the preferred and most effective solution. Despite its benefits in reducing field operations, labor, fuel, and machine maintenance costs, many farmers remain apprehensive about it. Why? Mainly because the positive effects of no-till farming aren't immediate; the changes can take months or even years to become apparent. Additionally, farmers worry about increased field weeds, more difficult-to-control pests, and a rise in plant diseases. These concerns are valid, but traditional farming practices are becoming less profitable over time. Therefore, investing in modern agricultural machinery is essential. Companies like Rolmako offer a wide range of durable and economical machines, including those designed for no-plough cultivation, chisel plows, disc harrows, and rollers for leveling and breaking clods, thereby facilitating the transition to no-plough farming.
No-till cultivation using a cultivator or chisel plow
Although many Polish farms still practice traditional land cultivation, it is worth considering a change in cultivation model. This shift supports time and water savings, lower fuel costs, and significantly reduced labor intensity. The choice between a no-till cultivator and a chisel plow depends on various factors, including soil type, crop type, local conditions, and farmer preferences. The Rolmako U436 multifunctional tillage cultivator effectively performs post-harvest stubble processing and prepares the land for sowing. In adopting no-plough cultivation, the Rolmako chisel plow is also worth considering, as it shortens the working time required for cultivation. Compared to a traditional plow, this machine delivers excellent results. Using a Rolmako chisel plow quickly nourishes the soil, promoting plant growth. Post-chisel plow work, the land will be loosened, leveled, and ready for sowing. The three-beam no-till cultivator is typically used on light and sandy soils, while chisel plows are more suitable for heavier and clay soils. The cultivator operates at a depth of up to 35 cm, effectively replacing an arable plow, similar to a chisel plow, which can reach a depth of up to 65 cm, also functioning as a subsoiler. The right tool selection helps preserve soil structure and avoid soil degradation. No-till cultivators and chisel plows differ in purchase and maintenance costs. Finding the right equipment locally and exchanging opinions with other farmers can also influence the decision.
No-Till Farming – Facts and Myths
There are numerous myths surrounding no-till farming. One such myth is the claim that only plowing can mix the soil and achieve high yields. This is not true. Plowing destroys the soil and excessively aerates it, leading to the burning of organic matter necessary for proper plant growth and significantly drying out the soil. Consequently, modern farms have adopted a no-plow farming system.
Myths regarding weeds, pests, and plant diseases include:
- Soils cultivated without plowing are so heavily infested with weeds they require the use of glyphosate or other pesticides.
- On soils cultivated without plowing, the number of pests is so large that it is difficult to manage them.
- The same applies to plant diseases, which are difficult to combat.
These concerns have some basis but should be viewed from a different perspective:
- Crop residues remaining in the field improve soil moisture and reduce pathogens.
- Cultivation without a plow may increase the number of pests but also increases the number of their natural enemies.
- While plowless cultivation can lead to dry diseases, it also results in a lower occurrence of fungi on leaves and ears.
There is no single solution, and expecting a change in farming model to remedy all agricultural problems is misguided. Instead of looking for problems, it is better to focus on finding solutions. Consider exploring no-till farming units from Rolmako. The U436 multifunctional cultivator from Rolmako effectively manages weeds and prepares the soil for sowing, while a chisel plow, such as the U624 model, ensures proper water and air flow in the ground.
Eco-schemes under the CAP as a Chance for Additional Income
Eco-schemes present an opportunity for farmers to earn additional income. EU funds support nature-friendly farms. Activities performed by farmers for the environment and climate are designed to incentivize the implementation of modern solutions in their operations. Consider adopting simplified plowless and strip cultivation not only for their benefits in preventing erosion, improving soil quality, and reducing exhaust fumes emissions. By implementing such methods, farmers can earn additional money per hectare. Farmers who opt for simplified cultivation systems within the eco-scheme will need to replace the traditional plow with tools such as a disc harrow, cultivator, or chisel plow. These and other cultivation tools are available from Rolmako, a manufacturer of high-class agricultural equipment with an export share exceeding 80%.
Summary
No-till farming is an emerging agricultural practice with both advantages and disadvantages. In response to the need to support farmers in transforming their activities into more sustainable ones, pro-ecological initiatives are emerging. One such initiative under the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy is eco-schemes. This support program covers a range of environmental and climate actions. Although the implementation of alternative farming methods is time-consuming and requires significant financial outlays initially, it yields benefits in the long run.
