Harvest Residue Management for Planting Success
Harvest marks the end of one season and the start of the next, where crop residue management—through even distribution and proper stubble height—affects planting success, emergence, and soil health. Thoughtful residue handling sets the foundation for reduced risk and future crop performance.
Harvest on the farm marks the culmination of a season of hard work and decision-making. It also signals the beginning of preparations for the next season, where crop residue management directly impacts future crop success. Residue from the combine and stubble height both influence planting operations and crop development in several ways. By carefully managing residue at harvest, growers set the stage for a successful crop year ahead and reduce operational risk both in the short term and long term.
Crop residue biomass varies by crop, but management principles remain consistent: residue must be evenly distributed across the field. Bunching or excessive residue in certain areas can lead to hairpinning with planters and uneven product placement with air drills. High residue levels may cause uneven emergence or, in extreme cases, prevent plants from emerging altogether. Effective residue management begins at threshing, using premium straw chopper technology, consistent residue spread, and chopping headers in corn to break down thick stalks. Proper residue handling also supports soil health by potentially eliminating the need for intensive post-harvest tillage.
Deciding the appropriate crop cutting height is also important, especially for moisture retention through snow catch. The saying “rain makes grain” holds true, and—except in years of excessive moisture—higher spring moisture improves crop performance during early growth and throughout the season. Striking the right balance between stubble height and residue management before and during seeding will vary by crop and residue volume.
Väderstad tillage equipment creates the perfect start for the coming crop
To support effective residue management and set the stage for a successful next season, Vaderstad offers a range of tillage solutions tailored to diverse field conditions. Click here to learn more about Carrier, a high-speed equipment for versatile tillage from ultra-shallow to deeper incorporation, reducing passes and cost per acre. For heavier residue and deeper soil work, learn more about the Wil-Rich 483 Chisel Pro that excels at loosening soil, burying debris, and sizing clods for ideal seedbed preparation. Meanwhile, you can also read more about the Wil-Rich 2500 Chisel Plow, a powerful fall tillage tool, designed to break shallow compaction and maintain depth even in tough soils. These tools help ensure residue is managed efficiently, soil health is preserved, and crops get the best possible start.
Tillage
By combining versatility, precision and capacity the Väderstad tillage equipment creates the perfect start for the coming crop. We offer machinery for a wide range of working depths and multiple tasks on the field.
