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Estimating the value of crop residues

Description

Crop residues - straw plus chaff - are the byproducts of harvesting annual grain crops. Retaining crop residues on a field improves or maintains soil quality and moisture. The economic value of... More ≫

Description

Crop residues - straw plus chaff - are the byproducts of harvesting annual grain crops. Retaining crop residues on a field improves or maintains soil quality and moisture. The economic value of retaining or removing crop residues from the field depends on the following: present level of soil organic matter; field's soil erosion risk; nutrient levels in the residues and soil; soil's moisture content; value of using the residues for other purposes such as bedding, coarse feed or industrial uses such as fibreboard; effects of any problems caused by poorly spread or heavy residues (such as the need for extra field operations)

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Equipment issues in crop residue management for direct seeding

Description

Uniform and wide distribution of straw and chaff residues is essential in direct seeding systems. You must spread residues evenly to avoid or reduce problems such as: equipment plugging; poor seed... More ≫

Description

Uniform and wide distribution of straw and chaff residues is essential in direct seeding systems. You must spread residues evenly to avoid or reduce problems such as: equipment plugging; poor seed placement; disease, weed and insect infestations; nutrient tie-up; and cold soil under straw piles and heavy residue mats.

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Residue management for successful direct seeding

Description

Crop residue management is essential for successful direct seeding. Maintaining crop residue, rather than baling, burning or tilling, offers many benefits. These include increased snow catch and... More ≫

Description

Crop residue management is essential for successful direct seeding. Maintaining crop residue, rather than baling, burning or tilling, offers many benefits. These include increased snow catch and water infiltration, reduced moisture evaporation, increased soil organic matter, improved soil structure and plant nutrient cycling, virtually no chance for wind erosion and much reduced potential for water erosion , and the reduction of some weed species.

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Handling difficult crop residue conditions

Description

High crop yields and unusual weather often leave hard-to-handle crop residue conditions. These include: crops not harvested due to hail, severe frost or other damage; * lodged or snow-flattened... More ≫

Description

High crop yields and unusual weather often leave hard-to-handle crop residue conditions. These include: crops not harvested due to hail, severe frost or other damage; * lodged or snow-flattened crops not picked up by the windrower or combine; crops producing heavy residues such as viny pea crops, sunflowers and flax; *very tall stubble left by straight-cut or stripper-header operations.

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