Your tillage system has a significant impact on your soil health, crop yield, and environmental impact. So the question is — which tillage method is better?
In this article, we explain how both strip tillage and conventional tillage work and compare the key differences so you can make an informed decision for your farm.
The blog will provide insights on when each method is most effective, depending on climate, soil type, and crop variety.
What is conventional tilling?
A conventional tiller thoroughly breaks up all the soil in a field, promoting growth and higher yields. This process permits moisture and air to permeate the soil, encouraging seeds to germinate and roots to grow. It also controls weed growth, manages pests, and allows fertilisers to integrate into the soil.
When cultivating land that hasn’t been used recently, the first round of tilling will uproot any weeds and break up large clumps of earth. A secondary round of tilling will make the soil much finer so it is ready for planting.
However, excessive tilling can degrade the soil structure, increase erosion, and lead to nutrient depletion. To mitigate this, consider using Polyacrylamide (PAM), mulching in furrows, and adjusting your irrigation systems. For example, a sediment pond could collect runoff water, sediment, and nutrients to be recycled at the end of the season.
What is strip tilling?
Unlike conventional tillers, strip tillers only cultivate narrow strips approximately 10 to 20cm wide for the seeds to be planted in. Using GPS, the planters utilise this seedbed, meaning cultivation is only done where required. Leaving the soil undisturbed between the rows has proven to have many benefits for growers both for the soil health and for cost saving measures.
By allowing soils to restructure themselves and building soil quality, strip-tilling supports excellent crop establishment. This also helps to increase water retention because the undisturbed soil can hold water more efficiently. On the other hand, customers have noted that, in wetter areas, machines don’t get stuck. Also, cows don’t pug the paddock nearly as bad in the months following planting due to the undisturbed soil having a stronger profile.
Another benefit of strip tillage is that you can often complete a row in one pass and there’s far less preparation required. This greatly reduces fuel and labour costs, as Canterbury grower Brent Austin shared,
“Preparing the ground for maize this year has been dramatically improved thanks to the Agrisem Striptill. Firstly, it’s been a massive fuel saving. In previous years we typically used 35 litres of diesel per hectare for cultivation, which was sub-soiling and discing. This season, we have averaged 9 litres of diesel across our 180 hectares of ground prepared!
Secondly, it’s only taken a third of the time so there’s a huge reduction in labour and tractor depreciation. Finally, we have seen a 50% reduction in base fertiliser costs. This is due to applying the fertiliser more precisely into the seedbed and also distributing it in the same pass. I will have the Agrisem striptill paid off in two seasons!”
Downsides of strip-tilling include higher pest and weed rates because you aren’t cultivating the entire paddock. This means pests like slugs are not being killed and can become a problem when left unchecked.
What is the best tillage system?
The best tillage machine for your farm depends on your priorities and environment. Conventional tillers can produce higher yields in the short term but require more nutrient input and erosion control over time. They’re also better for controlling pests like slugs as well as weeds.
In comparison, strip tilling offers better erosion control and moisture retention, which leads to healthier soil and crops over time. This is particularly valuable in drought-prone areas where water conservation is a priority.
In conclusion, we recommend using a conventional tillage machine to break up weeds and prepare uncultivated soil. If a piece of land has been unused for a period, disc harrows, rippers, and subsoilers are great for preparing the soil.
However, when planting crops on a regular basis, or if cover crops are part of your crop rotation consider investing in a strip tiller instead. This will prepare a seedbed without harming the soil structure, achieving maximum yields every season while also retaining the field's soil profile making harvesting or additional machinery passes much simpler.
Our tillage machine range
At NC Equipment, our equipment is built to stand the test of time. From multi-discs and tine cultivators to strip tills, we have everything you need.
Disc Harrows
Disc Harrows are ideal for stubble incorporation, pugged pasture, or re-grassing. Our diverse range of discs includes Offset Discs and Multi/Speed Discs, covering all ground types and conditions.
GB300 3m Offset Discs
The GB offset discs are ideal for primary and secondary cultivation. The GB range of offset discs is suited to farmers with Medium horsepower tractors, between 110 and 150 HP.
- Full Hydraulic gang adjustment and levelling adjustment
- Gregoire Besson Gang and Bearing assemblies
- Bearing protectors
- Separate hydraulic gang adjustment
Agrisem R Series Multi Discs
The R Series is designed for shallow cultivation, as well as distributing and mixing residues.
- Unique mulcher profile discs
- Large 22"/570mm discs
- Triangular profile dura torque for disc mounting
- Maintenance-free hubs on all discs
- Cultivation speeds up to 15km/hr
Agrisem Gold Multi Discs
The Gold Series can be used for both primary cultivation and finishing.
- Maintenance-free hubs on all discs
- Largest diameter discs
- Unique mulcher profile discs
- Patented clod-breaking board option
- Heavy-duty pigtail tines
Agrisem Maxi Mulch Disc and Ripper
This machine combines shallower cultivation with deep ripping and loosening beneath the surface. This allows a faster work rate, saving multiple passes with other machines.
- Unique mulcher profile discs
- Largest diameter discs
- TCS Ripper Legs
- Maintenance-free hubs on all discs
- Heavy-duty pigtail tine
Tine cultivators
Rata 920 Maxi Till
The Rata 920 Maxi Till features a compact design, heavy flat bar crumblers, and turnbuckle depth control. The tines are set at a constant depth, vibrating backwards, sideways, and forwards to create a uniform seed bed.
- Heavy-duty angled flat bar crumblers
- Turnbuckle depth control
- Rugged bolted headstock
- World-leading tines
- Rear tow hitch available for towing harrows or roller etc
Rata 203 Centre Fold
The Rata 203 Centre Fold uses a vigorous vibrating action of the ‘S’ tine, breaking up furrows and clods.
- Heavy-duty angled flat bar crumblers
- Turnbuckle depth control
- Horizontal push ram for efficient wing flotation
- Quality 10 x 32mm "S" tines
- Main frame is in three sections to eliminate centre ridging and frame stress.
Rata 813 HD Maxitills
The 813 HD Maxitill is designed for even greater clearance, with 50x10mm tines and Ni-Hard points spaced 125mm apart.
- Heavy-duty angled flat bar crumblers.
- High-quality sealed bearings.
- Space frame for trash clearance.
- High-quality Kongskilde tines with Ni-Hard points.
- Flotation ram toggle and bolted headstock with safety latch.
Agrisem Strip Tills
Our Mounted Strip Tills integrate a four-part cultivation system into each row, to clear trash and cultivate to a depth of 250mm. They also consolidate the soil into a neat seedbed.
- Pneumatic in-cab control of three key aspects per row
- 300mm of vertical travel per row
- Applies solid, liquid, or slurry fertiliser per row
- Depth adjustable from 50mm to 250mm
- Adjustable row width
- Working speeds from 6 to 14kph
For more specifications and our full range of tillage machines, click here!
