14 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | October 2024 growth regulator (PGR), which will shorten the straw and create less residue.” At the time of harvest, if baled straw is not needed for livestock, chopping the straw out of the combine is another alternative. “Most combines have straw choppers, but there are after-market options as well,” says Prang. “This cuts residue into smaller pieces and evenly distributes it behind the combine, so that you don’t have to rely on other methods as much. The key here is the even distribution of that material.” Baling, swath grazing, harrowing, tillage, and burning straw are all options used in the Prairies for removing or incorporating residue. When reviewing these options, it is important to consider the nutrients that will be removed from the field by baling, grazing or burning residue. “Straw has organic matter potential,” says Prang. “As it breaks down, it eventually becomes organic matter, which plays a role in soil moisture and water holding ability and is important for soil structure, which affects compaction and erosion. Straw contains nutrients as well, so producers should consider that nutrient value of the straw they may be removing and look at fertilizer value.” When incorporating residue through tillage, Prang says that this year’s management can have a significant impact on the following year’s crop. “If we are leaving residue, make it smaller so it’s easier and faster to break down. It should be properly distributed as well, so that there are no areas with heavy residue,” explains Prang. “And you have to keep in mind that straw-bound nutrients will go back into the soil as it breaks down, but it will not all be available for next year’s crop. It takes a while, so it not only impacts next year’s crop, but the years following as well.” Tillage has benefits but can also create challenges. It can increase soilto-straw contact to increase the rate of break down, and it can help dry and warm up the soil faster in the spring. Conversely, it can increase soil erosion and damage soil aggregates. If the farm is in a dry region, tillage can release valuable soil moisture. Each farm has unique characteristics which will influence how they clean up residue and get their fields ready for the fall. Cleaning up weeds During and after harvest is also a good time to review wins and misses with weed control for the current crop year. In the fall, perennial and winter annual weeds begin to emerge and should be managed before they cause problems in the next crop. Tidemann says that dealing with these weeds might not be as effective in the spring. “Winter annuals are the first that Post-Harvest Cleanup ™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2024 Corteva. What’s next happens here... At Pioneer® brand seeds, innovation drives everything we do. From the scientists in the lab to your local teams with boots on the ground, we collaborate tirelessly, gathering and analyzing billions of data points annually. All to ensure we’re delivering industry-leading solutions to the farmers and families who count on us every day. Visit Pioneer.com/WhatsNext to see how we’re innovating the future of farming.
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