C i Till F P d i i C lif i ’ S J iC ti Till F P d ti i C lif i ’ S J iConservation Tillage Forage Production in California’s San JoaquinConservation Tillage Forage Production in California s San JoaquinConservation Tillage Forage Production in California s San Joaquin g g qV llValleyValleyValleyValleyy

J ff Mit h ll (P f i l P d G t P )Jeff Mitchell (Professional + Producer Grant Program)Jeff Mitchell (Professional + Producer Grant Program)Jeff Mitchell (Professional + Producer Grant Program)( g )

Project Number: FW06 308 Objectives: Potential Benefits:Project Number: FW06-308 Objectives: Potential Benefits:

i l i ill d i i li i i ll E l d fi i ill d ill l i f f d i S i ill i l l i ill ll l d f ll i iTitle: Conservation Tillage Forage Production in California’s San Joaquin Valley Evaluate and refine strip-till and no-till planting systems for corn forage production Strip-tillage involves less intercrop tillage normally employed following winterTitle: Conservation Tillage Forage Production in California s San Joaquin Valley Evaluate and refine strip till and no till planting systems for corn forage production Strip tillage involves less intercrop tillage normally employed following winter and no-till drill winter forage planting at the San Joaquin Valley dairy of Larry and wheat chopping in preparation for spring corn silage planting A typical dairy

Principal Investigator:and no-till drill winter forage planting at the San Joaquin Valley dairy of Larry and wheat chopping in preparation for spring corn silage planting. A typical dairy

Principal Investigator: Daniel Soares in Hanford in terms of crop establishment weed control and producer could eliminate 4 5 tractor passes by converting to strip tillagep gJ ff Mit h ll

Daniel Soares in Hanford in terms of crop establishment, weed control, and producer could eliminate 4-5 tractor passes by converting to strip tillage.Jeff Mitchell

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h l b h h i ill d ill f f d iDepartment of Plant Sciencesp y

It has also been shown that strip-tillage and no-tillage for forage production canDepartment of Plant SciencesD i h h h i ill d i i h h li

It has also been shown that strip tillage and no tillage for forage production can University of California Determine whether the conservation tillage production practices enhance the quality reduce particulate matter emissions by 50-90% compared with traditional tillageUniversity of California Determine whether the conservation tillage production practices enhance the quality reduce particulate matter emissions by 50-90% compared with traditional tillage.Kearny Agricultural Center of life of dairy producers in the region as measured by the net profitability and theKearny Agricultural Center of life of dairy producers in the region as measured by the net profitability and the

W ti t d ti i t f $50 b i t i till i t d fy g

9240 St Ri erbend A en e extent to which the alternative management systems ease time and labor constraints We estimate a reduction in costs of $50 an acre by using strip-tillage instead of9240 St. Riverbend Avenue extent to which the alternative management systems ease time and labor constraints We estimate a reduction in costs of $50 an acre by using strip tillage instead of P li CA 93648

g yt th d i traditional tillage However it is important to understand that strip-tillage may notParlier, CA 93648 at the dairy traditional tillage. However, it is important to understand that strip tillage may not Parlier, CA 93648 y

work in all soil types; heavier soils may be more difficult than coarser soils559 303 9689 Di i i f i i d k l d l i f hwork in all soil types; heavier soils may be more difficult than coarser soils.559.303.9689 Disseminate information experience and knowledge resulting from these

Mitchell@uckac edu Disseminate information, experience, and knowledge resulting from these

Wi h hi h f l f h fi ld b l f h fi ld bMitchell@uckac.edu evaluations to other Central Valley dairy farmers With high fuel costs, fewer passes across the field are better not only for the field butevaluations to other Central Valley dairy farmers With high fuel costs, fewer passes across the field are better not only for the field but Producers Advisors: also for the dairy producerProducers Advisors:

A tialso for the dairy producer.

Larr and Daniel Soares Actions:Larry and Daniel Soares Actions:yKi D i S lKings Dairy Supply The project team evaluated strip till silage corn production following wheat forage on aKings Dairy Supply

hThe project team evaluated strip-till silage corn production following wheat forage on a

5835 13th Avenuep j p g p g g

600 d i i H f d5835 13 Avenue 600-cow dairy in Hanford.Hanford CA 93230

yHanford, CA 93230559 582 7801 In 2006 the trials evaluated conventional no till and strip tillage in replicated strips559.582.7801 In 2006, the trials evaluated conventional, no-till, and strip-tillage in replicated strips, ki ib @l t each 10 acres in an 80 acre field used to produce forage After the 2005 06 winter wheatkingsiba@lemoorenet.com each 10 acres in an 80-acre field used to produce forage. After the 2005-06 winter wheat gs ba@ e oo e et.co p g

f h d i A il 2006 6 30 i h C DMI E l Till t i tillforage crop was chopped in April 2006, a 6-row 30-inch Case DMI Ecolo-Till strip-tillerforage crop was chopped in April 2006, a 6 row 30 inch Case DMI Ecolo Till strip tiller d b il 12 i h d l il f l i h di i l ill iRyan Camara was used to subsoil to 12 inches and clear soil for planting The traditional tillage stripsRyan Camara was used to subsoil to 12 inches and clear soil for planting. The traditional tillage strips

Camara Dairy were disked and listed before plantingCamara Dairy were disked and listed before planting.y10482 14½ A10482 14½ Avenue I 2007 b f i i ti h ll th d t ti d t tL CA 93245 In 2007, because of irrigation pump challenges, the demonstration was moved to two R d tiLemoore, CA 93245 In 2007, because of irrigation pump challenges, the demonstration was moved to two Recommendations:Lemoore, CA 93245 fields An 8-row 30-inch Schlagel strip-tiller was used for the strip-till comparison559 381 2206 fields. An 8 row 30 inch Schlagel strip tiller was used for the strip till comparison.559.381.2206

Wh t i tilli h i i t i th il l d b i i lcamararyan@hotmail com When strip-tilling, having some moisture in the soil precludes bringing up large camararyan@hotmail.com p g, g p g g p gl dclodsclods

Di Gi i Timely weed management is needed time herbicide applications close toDino Giacomazzi Timely weed management is needed – time herbicide applications close to Dino Giacomazzii i i

y g ppl ti ( ithi k)Giacomazzi Dairy planting (within a week)

S i ill il l dGiacomazzi Dairy p g ( )Strip-tillage silage corn planted

9550 6th Avenue Using the same GPS system for both the strip tilling and planting operationsp g g p

following wheat forage9550 6th Avenue Using the same GPS system for both the strip-tilling and planting operations following wheat forage.

Hanford CA 93230 will keep the planter on the strip tilled areaHanford, CA 93230 will keep the planter on the strip-tilled area,559 381 8125

p p p559.381.8125559.38 .8 5di @ i i Improved strip-tilling could enable legitimate triple-cropping – the sequentialdino@giacomazzi us Improved strip-tilling could enable legitimate triple-cropping the sequential dino@giacomazzi.us

growing of three crops in a year which could provide a means for San Joaquingrowing of three crops in a year – which could provide a means for San Joaquin Results:

g g p y p qdair prod cers to efficientl manage man re nitrogen ith minimal risk of lossesSARE Grant: $9 400 Results: dairy producers to efficiently manage manure nitrogen with minimal risk of losses. SARE Grant: $9,400 y p y g g(A b t W t SARE f d d j t SW08 060 T i l C i D i2006 b i i i f il d h fi i i i d l d d ll d (A subsequent Western SARE funded project, SW08-060, Triple-Cropping DairyIn 2006 because an irrigation pump failed the first irrigation was delayed and all stands (A subsequent Western SARE funded project, SW08 060, Triple Cropping Dairy

Sit tiIn 2006, because an irrigation pump failed, the first irrigation was delayed, and all stands Forage Production Systems Through Conservation Tillage in California’s SanSituation: suffered especially the no-till strips and were taken over by weeds Adequate stands Forage Production Systems Through Conservation Tillage in California s San Situation: suffered, especially the no-till strips, and were taken over by weeds. Adequate stands Joaquin Valley is exploring the efficacy of triple cropping )were achieved initially but the late irrigation coupled with weed pressure made the no Joaquin Valley, is exploring the efficacy of triple cropping.)were achieved initially, but the late irrigation, coupled with weed pressure, made the no-

California dairies require year-round availability of inexpensive and locally producedy, g , p p ,

till l ti f lCalifornia dairies require year round availability of inexpensive and locally produced till planting unsuccessful.forages During the year producers typically plant and harvest a series of forage crops

p gforages. During the year, producers typically plant and harvest a series of forage crops –small grains corn for silage milo sorghum sudan requiring considerable tillage and In the 2007 demonstration corn plant populations were higher in the strip tilled fieldssmall grains, corn for silage, milo, sorghum sudan – requiring considerable tillage and In the 2007 demonstration, corn plant populations were higher in the strip-tilled fields. g , g , , g q g g

db d ti h d f h i Weed populations and yields were roughly equal in both fieldsseedbed preparation ahead of each successive crop Weed populations and yields were roughly equal in both fields.seedbed preparation ahead of each successive crop p p y g y q

Th d i l d h l i f i ill (CT) On the whole results from the strip-tilled corn production were positive andThese production systems lend themselves to a variety of conservation tillage (CT) On the whole, results from the strip-tilled corn production were positive and These production systems lend themselves to a variety of conservation tillage (CT) encouraging Because the producer does some of his own planting converting to stripapproaches developed in other production regions Adoption of conservation tillage encouraging. Because the producer does some of his own planting, converting to strip-approaches developed in other production regions. Adoption of conservation tillage g g p p g g ptill ill b diffi lt til i l t b i d B t b h t tpractices in dairy forage systems could: till will be difficult until a new implement can be acquired. But because he contracts practices in dairy forage systems could: p q

f hi f l i b f ibl d i illp y g y

some of his farm acreage to custom planters, it may be feasible to move toward strip-tillsome of his farm acreage to custom planters, it may be feasible to move toward strip till Reduce the time between the harvest of one crop and the planting of the next gradually Reduce the time between the harvest of one crop and the planting of the next gradually. p p g

L Lower costs F th ti th j t t t d i 2005 i t t i ti till h i d Lower costs From the time the project started in 2005, interest in conservation tillage has increased Participants listen to a presentation during one of Field day participants inspect one of the project Lessen dust by as much as two thirds

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Participants listen to a presentation during one of l fi ld d d t d f th j t

Field day participants inspect one of the project d t ti fi ld Lessen dust by as much as two-thirds markedly in the San Joaquin Valley several field days conducted for the project. demonstration fields.y markedly in the San Joaquin Valley.