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CROP RESIDUE LEFT BY TILLAGE OPERATIONS

Tillage   Percent residue left after the operation
Drills -- disk type *

-- hoe type

90-95%

50-80%

Blades, sweeps 24" or wider    
Rodweeder -- without points or shovels

-- with points or shovels

90%

80%

Cultivators -- 14"-22" sweeps

-- 8"-12" shovels

-- narrow shovels, chisels

-- twisted shovel points

85%

90%

75%

50%

Light disks operated at a depth of 3" or less   70%
Light disks operated at a depth of 3" or more   50%
Heavy disks operated at 6" depth   30%
Moldboard plow   10%
No-till summerfallow (approximately 21 months)   50%
Overwintering weathering   70-80%

* Applies to 14"-18" disks at 4-5 mph. Use lower values for larger diameter and higher speeds.

Example: A field with 3000 lbs/a residue.

First trip: cultivator with chisels, 3000 lbs x 75% = 2250 lbs.

Second trip: cultivator with chisels, 2250 lbs x 75% = 1687 lbs.

Following operations would continue to reduce the residue.

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Terry Gregoire, Area Extension Specialist/Cropping Systems
NDSU Extension Service
Box 477, Traynor Building
Devils Lake, ND 58301-0477
Phone No.(701)662-1364
FAX (701) 662-1365
tgregoir@ndsuext.nodak.edu