Strip-Till and ESN: Perfect Partners
Strip-till is becoming a smart and economical choice for growers looking to save money, protect soil health and give crops a strong start to the growing season. It is the best of both worlds, midway between no-till and full-till, and allows for precision placement of fertilizer while protecting crop residue.
The Right Place
The four R’s of nutrient management are the Right Rate, the Right Source, the Right Time and the Right Place. Placement is top of mind when you are making decisions about nutrients in your field and strip-tilling is an excellent tool to ensure the nutrients are placed where they are needed come planting.
Strip-tilling is typically done in the fall or pre-planting in the spring. The benefits to the soil include reduced erosion and lower CO2 emissions. The remaining residue works throughout the growing season; in the spring it retains heat and moisture along the seed rows giving plants a head start, and it provides moisture reserves in the hotter months while helping to keep the soil cooler. Lower fuel costs, better seed-to-soil contact and improved nutrient management will all improve your bottom line. Strip-tilling allows one to capture the benefits of residue cover and erosion protection while creating a better seedbed in a narrow strip plus provides convenient fertilizer banding options.
Why is ESN the perfect partner?
ESN is the right choice for banding during your strip-till passes. The controlled release technology in ESN holds the nitrogen until the crop needs it later in the season making it perfect for early application. The polymer membrane allows moisture to diffuse into the granule, creating a nitrogen solution which moves through the membrane at a rate that is controlled by soil temperature and matches the nitrogen needs of the growing crop.
The polymer coating lowers moisture absorption from humidity in the air and allows the fertilizer to stay dry and flow better during application, keeping your strip-tiller rolling.
There are many reasons to consider strip-till on your fields – giving your crops a head start, preserving soil quality and effective nutrient management are all opportunities to increase profits and reduce costs. ESN technology makes it an easy choice.
For areas where fall nitrogen is an acceptable practice, applying ESN with your strip-till provides convenient one-pass nutrient application, ensures your nutrients are where the crop can get them, and protects your nitrogen investment during the winter. For more information on using ESN in strip-till applications, check out this trial conducted by the University of Missouri or watch this webinar in partnership with Montag Manufacturing.
