Critical steps to no-till adoption
Rolf Derpsch (rolf.derpsch@tigo.com.py)
No-tillage Consultant, Asunción, Paraguay
Conclusion
Top ten critical factors for no-tillage adoption
- Improve your knowledge about the system, especially in weed control and plan for the change to permanent no-tillage at least 1 year in advance
- Analyze your soil (aim for a balanced nutrient and pH status)
- Avoid soils with poor drainage
- Level the soil surface
- Eliminate soil compaction issues before starting no-till
- Produce the largest possible amount of mulch cover
- Buy a no-till seeding machine
- Start on 10 percent of your farm
- Use crop rotation and green manure cover crops
- Be prepared to learn constantly and watch for new developments.