We understand that water-logged or flooded fields can prove inconvenient for farmers. A wet spring can change soil conditions and cause delays with planting.
Let’s look at the most common reasons that compel farmers to till the soil in wet seasons.
Why Perform Tillage in Wet Soil?
Here are some reasons why you have no choice other than tilling soil in wet conditions:
Time Constraints
Farmers often have a narrow window of time for tilling and planting their crops. If the soil is wet and planting season is approaching, some farmers may feel compelled to till the soil, even if it’s not ideal.
Soil Drainage Issues
If the soil has poor drainage, it may remain wet for an extended period, making it difficult to till. Sometimes, tilling can help improve drainage by breaking up compacted soil layers and allowing water to penetrate the soil.
Pest or Disease Management
In some cases, tilling wet soil may be necessary to control pests or diseases that are present in the soil. For example, tilling can help expose insect larvae to predators or reduce the incidence of soil-borne diseases.
Soil Amendments
Tilling wet is required to incorporate soil amendments such as lime, fertilizers, or organic matter. However, this should only be done if the benefits of the amendments outweigh the potential negative effects of tilling wet soil.
In general, it’s best to avoid practicing tillage on wet soil whenever possible. Instead, farmers should prioritize soil health and choose practices that protect and improve soil structure and fertility.
Still, if there is no choice other than tilling in wet soil, you need a shallow-working specialist to get into wet fields earlier than other machines to warm and dry out the soil surface for planting.
Tips for Tilling Wet Soil in the USA
Tilling wet soil in the USA can be challenging because different regions of the country have different soil types and climatic conditions. However, here are some general tips for tilling wet soil in the USA:
Monitor Soil Moisture
Before tilling, it’s essential to check soil moisture levels. In some parts of the USA, such as the Midwest, soils can be wet in the spring due to snowmelt or excessive rainfall. Soil moisture sensors can help determine when the soil is dry enough for tilling.
Choose the Right Equipment
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to choose the right equipment for tilling wet soil. This can vary depending on the soil type and other factors.
Kelly Tillage has a wide range of ground-engaging Disc Chains to operate in soils that may be too wet for other equipment. That means an earlier start to planting and less time spent waiting for the soil to dry.
Avoid Compaction
Compaction is a significant problem when tilling wet soil, and it can reduce crop yields over time. To avoid compaction, use Kelly Tillage’s Disc Chains to avoid soil compaction. By controlling depth with design features rather than relying on frame weight, Kelly tools can operate in soils that may be too wet for other equipment
Work with the Soil Structure
When tilling wet soil, it’s important to work with the soil structure rather than against it. This means avoiding excessive tillage or tilling too deeply. Instead, use shallow tillage equipment that can break up the soil without inverting it.
Consider Cover Crops
Cover crops can help improve soil health and structure, which can make tilling wet soil easier in the long run. Cover crops can also help reduce soil erosion and improve soil fertility.
Equipment Used for Tilling in Wet Soil Conditions
When tilling wet soil, it’s important to use equipment that is specifically designed for this purpose. Here are some types of equipment that can be used for tillage in wet soil conditions:
Subsoilers
Subsoilers are designed to break up compacted soil layers without turning over the soil. They typically work at a deeper depth than other tillage equipment, making them useful for addressing soil compaction.
Chisel Plows
Chisel plows are designed to break up the soil without inverting it. They typically have multiple shanks that penetrate the soil, creating narrow channels that allow water to penetrate the soil and reduce compaction.
Strip-Till Equipment
Strip-till equipment tills the soil in narrow strips, leaving the rest of the soil undisturbed. This can help reduce soil erosion and improve soil structure.
Disc Harrows
Disc harrows are often used for primary tillage, but they can also be useful in wet soil conditions. They work by breaking up soil clods and mixing in crop residue, which can help improve soil structure.
Vertical Tillage Equipment
Vertical tillage equipment is designed to work at a shallower depth than other tillage equipment, making it useful for wet soil conditions. It typically uses narrow, shallow colters to lightly till the soil without disturbing the soil structure too much.
It’s important to choose the right tillage equipment for your specific soil and field conditions. Using the wrong equipment or tilling too deeply can lead to soil compaction and reduce crop yields over time.
Rely on Kelly’s Disc Chain for Wet Soil Conditions
Kelly Tillage’s Disc Chains are effective in wet soil conditions because they are designed to work at a shallow depth, which reduces the risk of soil compaction. Additionally, the concave shape of the discs can help avoid clumping and facilitate soil drying.
Our Disc Chains are designed in a way making them the perfect tool for rainy and wet seasons. The discs are attached to a flexible chain gang that closely follows surface contours. The strength of the chain, in combination with the disc design and the angle of attack, regulates the cutting depth.
This means that Kelly Disc Chains: CL1 Disc Chain and W36 Disc Chain will only work the top 1-3 inches of soil–even in wet and sticky soil conditions. With design features rather than relying on frame weight, our tools can perform in soils that may be too wet for other equipment. So start planting without waiting for the soil to dry with Kelly’s tillage equipment.