Ridge-Tillage: Advantages and Disadvantages

Ridge-Till is a crop production system that has become increasingly popular with grain producers in some areas of the mid-west. This unique tillage system may provide some Kentucky farmers with an alternative method of planting. Limited information on the adaptability of ridge-till on Kentucky soils and climatic conditions make it important that growers investigate the system thoroughly to determine how it would fit into their operation before deciding to change. Ridge-till involves planting on elevated rows that remain undisturbed after establishment. One or more cultivations are then made during the early part of each growing season to improve weed control, allow the soil to dry and warm faster, and to maintain the ridge for future planting. Most of the current information on ridge-till has been generated from studies conducted in the north and mid-west. Based on this research, ridge-till appears to be most suited for the poorly drained soils on 0-2% slope. Some advantages and disadvantages of ridgetillage are discussed below