1 st Year Assessment of OK Tillage/Cropping Systems

1. 1st Year Assessment of OK Tillage/Cropping Systems Randy Taylor Extension Engineer, Machinery Systems

2. My Background • B.S. Agricultural Engineering - 1985 • Oklahoma State University • M.S. Agricultural Engineering - 1989 • Oklahoma State University • Ph.D. Agricultural Engineering – 1996 • University of Nebraska – Lincoln • Biological and Agricultural Engineering – Kansas State University • Extension Machinery Specialist 89-02 • Professor (60% Extension/40% Teaching) 02-05

3. No-Till Seeding Systems • Applied research regarding row crop planter attachments, no-till drills, and planter speed (corn) • Extension programs based around planter modification, attachments, and operation

4. Crop Density Percent of Total Grain Crop Area Wheat Soybean Sorghum Corn

5. No-Till Adoption One of the biggest deterrents for no-till adoption is seeding systems.

6. Ag Machinery Research • Small plot field research works with some machinery • The trend has been to larger farm machinery • Some is not available in sizes conducive to small plots • How do we conduct valid research with current ag equipment?

7. Applied Research Model Analytical and research skills University Cooperative relationships where everyone has a stake. Producers Industry Desire to improve efficiency by reducing production cost. Products to test and sell in a competitive market

8. Example - 2003 Drill Study • Soybeans were drilled into corn and milo stubble at 5 fields in NE Kansas • Planted on May 14, 15, 22, and 28 • We used 3 drills (Deere 1590, GP 1510P, Sunflower 9412) on 7.5” spacing, the farmer’s planter (30”), and GP twin row • Four replications at each field

9. Project Responsibilities • University  experimental design, calibrating seeders, collecting and analyzing data, and overall study coordination. • Growers  selecting varieties, seeding rates, adjusting and operating their planters, and collecting yield monitor data during harvest. • Industry  transporting their seeder to fields and adjusting and operating their seeder to the desired conditions.

10. So What’s the Plan • OSU is working to form a “No-Till” team. • One of my thrusts for the team will be establishing on-farm crop rotation plots • We are planning a field study to evaluate drills (air seeders) for no-till canola and wheat seeding • We are also looking at a potential strip till/driving accuracy study

11. Importance of Strip-Till • Strip-till is a conservation tillage method. • A narrow strip of soil is tilled and fertilizer is placed in the strip. • The subsequent crop is planted on the strip for easy access to nutrients. • Primarily irrigated, continuous corn in Kansas • Potential for corn, cotton, and peanuts in Oklahoma

12. Relationship to Guidance • You have to plant back on the strips. • It’s typically done with markers or RTK GPS guidance • How close to the center of the row is close enough?

13. The Future of Research & Extension For the times they are a-changin' -- Bob Dylan, 1963 I’ve seen a lot of change in my life and I fought most of it every step of the way.

14. Questions Thought for the Day You know you have problems when you can sell your waste oil as scrap metal.