Source: Agrinews.com

According to Agrinews.com, the University of Minnesota Extension took a day last month to highlight various tillage practices at their Tillage and Technology Field Day. The event, held at the University of Minnesota-Morris, brought together experts from across the Upper Midwest and Canada to talk with producers and demonstrate equipment. The day explored the full cycle of tillage considerations, from tillage's influence on soil properties to new technologies like variable depth tillage to getting planters set up to deal with residue.

On a portion concerning conservation tillage, North Dakota State University's Abby Wick noted that the practices improves soil health. 

Aggregates tell soils' story she noted. Healthy soil should be comprised on 50% minerals, 25% air and 25% moisture. If soil is platey, it's compacted, Wick said. Reduced disturbance and diversified rotation are the best way to improve soil health. She's seen big changes after just one year in fields that get a change in tillage and rotation.

For the final event of the day, 11 pieces of tillage equipment were demonstrated at a field near the university. Strip-till machine demonstrations included the Kuhn Krause Gladiator, Orthman 1tRIPr, ETS Soil Warrior and 22-inch row and 30-inch row Twin Diamond Strip Cats. 

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