Crop residue management boosts farm profitability
As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, effective crop residue management in corn, soybean, and wheat fields is key to profitability and long-term soil health. It begins at harvest, with combines and headers set correctly to size and spread residue evenly across the field.
For soybeans, unevenly spread straw often leads to excess tillage, especially when wheat is planted directly after harvest. Farmers are encouraged to maintain choppers and spreaders to ensure residue is distributed uniformly across the header width. This helps wheat drills cut through residue effectively, ensuring proper seed placement and stand establishment.
For corn, only ears and husks pass through the combine, but header maintenance is crucial to manage stalks. Using technologies like cutting rolls and stalk splitters allows residue to be sized and anchored. Farmers may choose fine chopping for faster decomposition or leave some standing stalks for ground cover. Even distribution of husks and cobs across the header width reduces spring planting challenges.
For wheat, timing is critical to maximize yield potential. Residue left after soybean harvest must be managed well to avoid damp, coarse straw causing planting difficulties. Sharp coulters and well-maintained planting equipment are essential to slice through residue and place seed consistently.