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Common soil
preparation mistakes
NERISSA HECHTER,
marketing manager: Radium Engineering
S
ince the effect of soil preparation occurs under the soil, it is
very difficult to detect faults. Normally a producer will only
experience a drop in yield and not necessarily relate it to
soil preparation mistakes.
The first and biggest mistake producers make, is not making use of a
good soil profile pit, in this pit the necessary actions that are needed
can be detected. A profile pit that represents the dominant soil types
needs to be inspected. This way the best implements to solve the
problem and the working depth can be determined.
It is also important that producers need to know what the aim of the
soil preparations are. Is it to mix in the lime with the soil, or to break a
plough pan? This will also play a part in what action needs to be taken.
Each implement type creates a unique soil braking profile and every
producer should know which machine will work best to solve their
specific soil problems. Soil consists of sand, slick and clay; with the
different combinations of these components, various actions are
needed. This will also help to determine the required working depth.
The placement of a tillage machine and working depth will determine
how the soil profile is broken up. Producers are encouraged to un-
derstand the working and setting of their machines.
With more than 80 years of agricultural and technical experience
between father and son, Mike and Grant Roest from Radium Engi-
1: A 5 Tine PowerRip at work.
2: A subsoil thickening layer can prevent roots from penetrating the
subsoil. Here the harvest was busy drying out, but with wet soil still
stuck under the thickening layer.
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FOCUS
Implements and equipment
Special
Augustus 2015
56