Ron Bell Birtle, MB

While I don’t come from the Red River Valley where heavy crop residue are always a problem, we have had two years of extremely difficult to handle straw. Even if you don’t usually have residue problems it’s probably fair to say that the more effort you spend on all aspects of residue management, the greater the chance for a successful crop. Many of you probably expect me to stress the need for a good straw and chaff spreader and indeed I will. However, there are many other factors to take in to consideration when managing your crops for residue.

Let’s start by talking about residue management and the difficulties they can cause at seeding time. Problems with plugging can occur because of the following factors: Stubble height, density, bunched straw, and chaff rows. High moisture straw can present a real challenge as it doesn’t chop well and tends to spread in clumps and remain on the surface of the stubble. Frozen or immature straw can also act this way. The time of year a crop was harvested also affects residue. For example, a crop harvested in August has longer to break down before winter than a late crop that’s had a frost and little time to rot. Latitude also is a factor for this same reason. The southern parts of North Dakota and down through South Dakota have a longer period of time after harvest and before seeding for the residue to break down than we do on the northern extreme of the great plains. Tillage before seeding can cause bunched straw. Generally speaking the first tillage operation is easier than the next. The seed row spacing and clearance of the seeding equipment also affects the capability for good seed placement. At seeding time low temperatures and high humidity can cause problems in heavy residue even when you think you have done a good job of straw management.

If you don’t have sufficient chaff spread you may have reduced populations in the chaff row. You may experience yield loss and grade differential due to uneven ripening and delayed harvest. Disease can be significantly higher in chaff rows and you may experience weed problems as well.

Insufficient straw spread may also result in poor germination, weed problems and reduced seed population but to a lesser degree than in chaff rows. If you find tillage is necessary to spread straw and chaff you could lose moisture, make bunching more of a problem, and face an erosion problem. As well if you live in the U.S. you could face non-compliance.

Now let’s get to the heart of the topic – how to handle heavy residue.

As I mentioned earlier there is more to residue management than using straw and chaff spreaders. In all good farming systems rotations are very important. Growing lower residue crops such as canola and peas can give you a break from the higher residue crops. As well the residue from a heavy crop can help prevent erosion in the lower residue crops. As markets determine you can also grow shorter straw varieties such as semi-dwarfs or Biggar. Other crops such as barley and durum wheat, while being higher residue crops, break down much faster and may cause fewer problems in the end.

It is important to seed early so that harvest will be earlier allowing more time for straw break down. Early seeding usually helps you avoid a late harvest which means you are less likely to have frozen and therefore immature straw. I can tell you from personal experience that proper residue management of this straw is very difficult because harvesting conditions late in the fall are usually cooler and more moist, adding to the problem. You should avoid harvesting high residue crops when straw moisture is high. Harrowing straw usually helps if you haven’t harvested under the best of conditions.

It is particularly important not to cut too high and you should use crop lifters in lodged crop. If cutting lower is not an option you could use a crop shredder or rotary mower. You must use a straw chopper and chaff spreader or all the other steps you have taken will be wasted.

There are also some steps to take harvest. It is my feeling you should avoid unnecessary tillage especially with wide sweeps as this tends to create piles and hollows. You should use seeding equipment with good trash clearance and avoid fields with heavy residue on damp cool days. It is important to do as many of these straw management practices as are possible and with luck you will be on track for a bumper crop.

In closing, there are some definite benefits of a good residue management plan. You will be conserving and managing your moisture. You will have fewer headaches at seeding time. If you live in the U.S., you will be more able to meet compliance, indeed you’ll have no losses due to erosion. In fact, with a good residue management plan you will require less equipment, less fuel and maintenance, lower labor costs, while allowing you more time with your family and best of all you will have a more profitable farm.

1. Rotate with low residue crops.
2. Grow shorter straw varieties.
3. Grow crops which breakdown easier such as barley or durum.
4. Seed early – harvest early – avoid frost and cool moist weather that are likely late in the fall.
5. Avoid harvesting heavy straw when damp.
6. Don’t cut too high or use a shredder if you do.
7. Use lifters in lodged crop.
8. Spread straw and chaff well.
9. Avoid unnecessary tillage especially with sweeps.
10. Use seeding equipment with good trash clearance.
11. Avoid seeding high residue fields on wet days.
12. Do as many of the above as possible!