StripTill

StripTill: An application of the GPS-RTK guidance system

When growing row crops such as sugar beets and corn, why should farmers till the entire field if these crops will eventually stand only in single rows? Shouldn't it be possible to break up and prepare only a single strip and then sow the row crops into that strip when spring comes?

The GPS-RTK guidance system is so precise that it deviates by only about 2-3 cm from the ideal line. We take advantage of this high level of precision for a new tilling method: StripTill

In North America, strip-tilling is already a well-established method in corn-growing regions. After harvesting the preceding crop, farmers slice the soil to create the strips, which are documented using GPS. In spring, the corn seed is dropped into the same strips.

Farmers in Germany planting slowly closing row crops such as corn or sugar beets repeatedly experience problems caused by water erosion. That is why many farmers grow sugar beets using mulch sowing or direct sowing methods. The strip-tilling method combines the benefits of these two methods: The beets grow well, and the soil strips between the rows are protected against erosion.

At Ihinger Hof, we now have some initital experience using this method. In addition to corn and sugar beets, we also use this method for growing winter rape.

We will provide more information shortly on this website. Please also visit our websites www.strip-till.de or www.streifenlockerung.de.

Strip-tilling in fall