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Show 'Once Over' Seedbed Operation Cuts Cost New Method Eliminates Extra Tillage Steps Giving the soil a "once-over" seedbed preparation can help cut down crop production costs by eliminating elim-inating extra tillage steps while still maintaining high yields, according to Michigan State College agronomists. agron-omists. The agronomists found that plowing, plow-ing, packing and planting in one operation op-eration produced as high yields of small grains, sugar beets and corn on soil of good tilth, as did conventional con-ventional seedbed preparation that included double disking and spike-tooth spike-tooth harrowing. The "once-over" method permitted permit-ted quicker planting, because less " ONCE -OVER" 60IL PREPARATION J plow r-n PT-H'k . I PACKER LH!HJ Illustrated above is the "once over" method of plowing, packing pack-ing and planting that can save many farmers high production costs. time was needed to get seed Into the ground. It means a saving in time, labor and tractor fuel. Two disking and two harrowing operations opera-tions were eliminated. Another advantage ad-vantage was that the soil had greater great-er water storage capacity, for the tilth was not broken down by excessive ex-cessive tillage. Maintaining tilth is vital in crop production, these agronomists say, because loose, grainy soils give a good contact between the soil and the seed. That makes it easier for roots to reach plant nutrients, air and water. |