Recently, I attended the meeting concerning strip-tillage for no-till farming operations. Those who use it say it helps them become a better no-till operator. Producers who strictly no-till farm say that this operation disturbs the soil. Therefore, it should not be classified as no-till farming.

Strip-tilling is done by using a tool that tills a four to eight inch strip on 30-inch centers to plant row crops the following spring. While performing this operation, it allows farmers to also put down fertilizer for the crop that'll be planted four to six months later.

Farmers that utilize strip-till in their operations claim that it is important when we have wet, cool springs. This tillage strip allows that area to dry out quicker as well as warm up faster for better germination.

In no-till conditions, the soils are usually six or seven degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler than the tilled areas. As we go north these problems are compounded.

"That is why we see more of this farming method used in Iowa and Minnesota at this time," according to Ray Lamond, Kansas State soils specialist.

The equipment used in strip-tillage has a coulter to cut through the residue. Behind the coulter are two discs to till the soil the width of the tillage. Some are retrofitted with a knife to place fertilizer at a depth of 5 to 6 inches deep in the soil. Then "baskets" complete the outfit to firm up the tilled soil.

If a farmer wanted to, he or she could "ridge" the tilled area to plant the crop on the next year. Typically, this operation is done in the fall.

Lamond claims to find little or no difference in moisture loss versus total no-till operations.

After one year of research, Lamond has found that there is a big difference in early growth and an eighty pound difference in dry matter in favor of using strip-tillage. This first year the operation was performed in March with corn after corn. For year two, they did the tillage operation this fall.

The yield difference was insignificant. However, studies in other areas of the United States show an average of plus twelve bushels per acre using strip-till over no-till. Kansas will have to wait.