Jasa's advice is short and to the point. In fact, don't even shred stalks. Many producers as a matter of course take their disks and shredders to the field after fall harvest to start preparing the soil for next year's crop to save time next spring, and because it's something they've always done. However, tilling dries out soil moisture, something that definitely is not needed after 12 months of drought throughout much of the state. Tilling will only decrease the available moisture for next year's crop, destroy soil structure, and increase erosion and rain runoff, Jasa said.
Tillage creates more than a moisture shortage.
The expense of fuel, labor and equipment are added in a year when fuel prices increased nearly 40 percent. Tilling or shredding stalks, traditionally done to help break down the residue, will only cut them loose so they will blow away. Standing residue, still attached, is one of the most effective ways to catch snowfall and protect soil from wind erosion. Tilling six inches deep allows the soil to dry to the depth of tillage and could result in soil moisture loss of up to one inch of water total. Shallower tillage, even with a rolling stalk chopper, can result in moisture losses of about one-half inch of water per trip.