Spring Soil Strategies with David Purdie and Steve Corbett

In this episode of the Tramlines podcast, host Tony Smith sits down with David Purdie, Territory Business Manager for East England at John Deere, and Steve Corbett, Trials Manager at Agrii.

The discussion focuses on how to tackle soil management after a challenging winter, considering soil fragility, optimal machinery settings, and field-specific decisions to maximise crop performance in the spring.

With a backdrop of a very wet winter; where some fields need re drilling and in other fields, we need to establish a spring crop. But how do we approach soils this spring to maximise crop performance in this very challenging season.

Assessing Soil Conditions after a Wet Winter

Steve Corbett:
Soil conditions are variable across different locations. Many fields are still saturated, and some remain underwater due to overflowing rivers. For fields that are drying out, the first step is to assess soil condition and ensure that crops planted will yield a profitable margin. Rushing to plant without considering the impact of soil fragility on crop yield could be costly.

Soil Fragility and the Effects on Crops

David Purdie:
Across East England, many fields are above field capacity, especially where soil has been heavily worked in the autumn. These soils are delicate, particularly on heavy ground. Farmers need to assess soil structure, drainage, and autumn cultivations, as these factors will influence how soil withstands the stress of machinery and planting.

Types of Soil Fragility Observed

Steve Corbett:
Three main scenarios have emerged in recent soil assessments:

• Fields with compacted top layers from water pounding, where lower layers remain intact due to inherent soil strength.
• Fields where autumn cultivations introduced too much air, now saturated with water and difficult to manage.
• Fields with failed crops, posing challenges due to residue, herbicides, and soil structure issues.

Choosing Which Fields to Work First

Steve emphasises the importance of clearing debris from ditches to facilitate water movement, which aids in drying. David agrees, noting that farmers should avoid fields with fragile soils until conditions improve. He advises using soil assessments and simple tests, such as rolling soil in your hands, to check friability before starting any field operations.

Field Operations and Machinery Setup

David Purdie:
Correct machinery setup is critical in spring. Aim for a power-to-weight ratio around 45kg per horsepower, ensuring the tractor isn’t too heavy. For drilling, he advises maintaining a 60-40 weight distribution across the rear and front axles to prevent soil damage. Using appropriate tyre pressures, ideally below ten PSI for lighter drills, reduces soil compaction and promotes better establishment.

Optimising Spring Drilling Timing

David recommends drilling in the afternoon on dry days, as soils become more workable later in the day. This timing minimises the risk of soil compaction and improves planting outcomes. He also stresses the importance of making small adjustments based on real-time field conditions to ensure successful spring drilling.

Insights from the Direct Drilling Trials

Steve Corbett:
In a previous direct drilling trial with Andrew Ward, conditions were challenging. They found that drills with deeper soil movement fared better under wet conditions, but ultimately, soil fragility was a limiting factor. He highlights that sometimes setting soil up for the autumn, rather than pushing for spring planting, is the more strategic choice.

Key Takeaways for Farmers

David Purdie:
“Assessing soil conditions with simple tests, timing operations well, and maintaining the right machinery settings are essential to avoid long-term soil damage and maximise yield.”

Steve Corbett:
“Make field-by-field assessments, be realistic about field viability for planting, and focus on headlands. Sometimes, the best choice is to prepare fields for autumn to ensure healthy, resilient soil.”

With relentless winter rain in many parts of the country following an already challenging autumn for many, winter-sown crops are going to need a lot of care and attention in the next few weeks to get them performing to their full potential in 2024, read more here.