Whetstone Weekly: You Do Not Need to Be Rich to Plant Your Food Plots with a No-till Drill

Whetstone Weekly: You Do Not Need to Be Rich to Plant Your Food Plots with a No-till Drill

Exploring Affordable Options for Effective and Sustainable Land Management

As land managers, we’re always looking for ways to improve our practices and enhance the habitats we steward. I recently rented a no-till drill from the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District in Kentucky, and I want to share my experience with you. This method has proven to be a game-changer for planting food plots, particularly soybeans, which I'll use as an example.

Purchasing a no-till drill, like the Great Plains NT606, can be prohibitively expensive for many landowners. While this drill is a wonderful piece of equipment with which I have planted hundreds of acres, I cannot afford to own one yet. Instead, renting a no-till drill for just $7 a day provided an affordable and efficient solution.

Exploring Your Options: Traditional Agricultural Site Prep vs. No-Till Drilling

Traditional Site Prep and Tillage:

• Disturbance: Traditional methods involve significant soil disturbance through plowing, disking, and tilling. This process turns the soil, stimulating weed seeds and disrupting soil structure.

• Erosion Risk: The exposed soil is more susceptible to erosion from wind and water, leading to the loss of valuable topsoil and nutrients.

• Soil Health: Tilling can negatively impact soil health by disrupting the beneficial microorganisms and earthworms that help maintain soil structure and fertility.

• Fuel and Labor Intensive: This method requires multiple passes over the field with heavy machinery, increasing fuel consumption and labor costs.

No-Till Drilling:

• Minimal Disturbance: A no-till drill places seeds directly into the ground without turning the soil, preserving soil structure and reducing erosion.

• Soil Health: By maintaining a continuous cover on the soil, this method promotes better water infiltration, enhances soil organic matter, and supports a healthy microbial ecosystem.

• Efficiency: No-till drilling reduces the number of field passes needed, saving time, labor, and fuel. It also helps retain moisture, which is critical for seed germination and growth.

• Weed Control: The undisturbed soil surface helps suppress weed growth, reducing herbicide need.

My Experience with No-Till Drilling Soybeans

Renting the no-till drill from Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District was a straightforward process. The staff provided excellent guidance on using the equipment, ensuring I was comfortable with the operation. And at just $7 a day, it’s an affordable option that doesn’t require a large budget.

Planting Process:

1. Preparation: To eliminate competition, I sprayed the existing vegetation with a non-selective herbicide before planting.

2. Calibration: I calibrated the drill to ensure the correct planting depth and seed rate for soybeans.

3. Planting: The no-till drill made precise rows, placing the soybean seeds at the optimal depth without disturbing the soil. The process was quick and efficient.

Results:

• Germination: The soybeans germinated well, benefiting from the retained soil moisture and reduced competition from weeds.

• Growth: The plants established robust root systems and showed vigorous growth, thanks to the healthier soil environment.

• Wildlife Impact: The resulting food plot has already attracted a variety of wildlife, providing an excellent forage source for deer and other species.

Addressing Rhizomal Johnsongrass

One significant advantage of no-till drilling is its ability to combat invasive species like rhizomal johnsongrass. Traditional tilling can perpetuate the problem by breaking up the rhizomes and spreading them throughout the field. No-till drilling minimizes soil disturbance, which helps prevent the spread of these invasive rhizomes and allows for better control of johnsongrass.

Downsides of Renting a No-Till Drill

While renting a no-till drill is a cost-effective option, it does come with some downsides:

• Scheduling Issues: You are at the mercy of the scheduling system and other landowners returning the equipment on time.

• Equipment Abuse: Some landowners may not treat the equipment as well as they would their own, leading to wear and tear.

• Quality Variations: The quality of the drill can vary drastically, affecting germination rates. For example, the 10 ft Haybuster I rented only had one mechanism for controlling planting depth, as it didn’t come with any hydraulic stroke control kit. This was fine for soybeans, but whoever was planting millet before me surely planted those seeds WAY too deep.

Utilizing Local Resources

You don’t need to be wealthy to plant with a no-till drill. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with planting using traditional means—I’ve planted countless acres with my G-3 Firminator 6' unit with great success—the amount of diesel, time, herbicides, and reliance on cooperative weather events can hobble progress. Renting a no-till drill from the county for $7 a day has been a game-changer, making the process more efficient and sustainable.

Moreover, NRCS offices and state wildlife agencies often have drills available for landowners to rent. This provides an excellent opportunity to try no-till planting without significant upfront investment.

Schedule a Habitat Consultation with Whetstone Habitat

At Whetstone Habitat, we're dedicated to helping you make the most of your land. If you're interested in learning more about no-till drilling or any other land management practices, I encourage you to contact us to schedule a habitat consultation for your farm before my schedule fills up. Visit our website at Whetstone Habitat for more information and to book your consultation today.

Conclusion

Do the best you can with what you have, and continue to educate yourself, utilizing local resources when possible. Using a no-till drill for planting food plots offers numerous benefits over traditional methods. It supports soil health, reduces erosion, saves time and resources, and ultimately results in more productive and sustainable food plots. I encourage you to consider this method for your next planting project and to contact local resources like the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District for assistance and equipment rental.