Managing cover crops profitably

Speed cultivation up to 10 mph and boost soil fertility… catch the benefits of cover crops

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Maximize efficiency by choosing MASCHIO technology

Increase your daily output running UFO speed disc

“Tillage affects residue decomposition in a number of ways. First, tillage increases soil contact with residue and increases the microbes’ access to them. Second, tillage breaks the residue into smaller pieces, providing more edges for microbes to mulch. Residues incorporated into soil tend to decompose and release nutrients much faster than those left on the surface, as in a no-till system. Anyway, the real challenge of farming efficiently is to keep as much of the nitrogen (N) as possible in a stable, storable form until it’s needed by the crop. The best storage form of N is the organic form; Material with high C/N ratio, such as legume-grass mixture cover crops, ties-up soil N keeping it available to the next crop. Spring cover crop management (i.e., time and method of their terminations) is not easy. Cover crops need to be terminated 2-3 weeks ahead of planting to allow plant material to dry out and become brittle”.* Considering the short optimum planting window of corn or beans, cover crop killing methods must be fast, better if it includes cash crop residue management and seedbed refinement at the same time. Chopping with compact disc cultivators that size and mix residues on top-soil, represents a rapid method to incorporate large amounts of cover/cash crop residue and prepare the seedbed for your residue-managing planter.  

Benefits of cover crops:

• Producing crop residue that increase soil organic matter and help control weeds

• Improving soil structure and increasing infiltration

• Protecting the soil surface and dissipating raindrop energy

• Reducing the velocity of the water moving over the soil surface

• Anchoring soil and adding carbon deep in the soil profile (via roots)

UFO speed disc benefits:

• Outstanding residue chopping and mixing (up to 6 in.) thanks to the 24” concave discs

• Ultimate reliability in all soils, thanks to the independent double coil spring disc supports

• Low-maintenance thanks to the oil-bath disc hubs with “duo cone” sealing system (20,000 ac. warranty)

• Fine and easy setting thanks to the rear double cage roller UFO follows every ground condition and keeps the working depth extremely consistent, the hydraulic drawbar ensures quick cab settings and great maneuverability