Conservation and cropping strategies on the world’s best soils

This Agritechnica special highlight demonstrates tillage and cropping strategies on the world’s best soils, considers the challenges of feeding an increasing world population and offers solutions for mitigation of soil compaction, erosion and for cropping in a changing climate. Presented in the Pavillons in Hall 11 covering an area of 2,700 m², the show is a world premiere.

Top farmers from the most fertile soils in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the USA, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland, Germany, France, and Britain explain best practices how to beat the challenges of producing food and organising efficient tillage under changing climatic conditions. These experts share the particular problems of their respective locations and the cultivation systems they’ve come to prefer over the years. Their main discussion points:

• Anti-erosion and conservation strategies
• Minimum tillage and cultivation depths
• Tillage on slopes
• Straw incorporation
• Direct drilling
• Wider rotations
• Soil compaction prevention

As successful farmers they’re able to inform visitors how they found the best solutions backed up by clear explanations of the economics involved. Additionally, independent machinery and cropping experts are on hand to offer farmers precise soil management information for their particular locality. Optimum mechanisation for cultivation strategies is addressed along with the most efficient ways of tackling soil erosion and compaction.

Climate trends

Will the weather get worse for growers? The chances are that it will certainly change – demonstrations at the World Soil and Tillage Show highlight possible climate trends and where new crops may have to be considered along with changes in soil management, growing timetables and farmland prices. A “phenological” clock indicates how main crop production dates for sowing, spraying or harvesting might change.

Conservation agriculture

Soil conservation strategies presented feature professional approaches for future-oriented farm businesses of every size in tackling soil erosion, silting, crusting and soil compaction. Information is available on required investment, expected returns, the right crop rotations, weed management, fertilising, crop yields and yield security. Also looked at: the potential of no-till in reducing CO² emissions, special drill coulter designs and direct drills along with a rainfall simulator where visitors can see the effect of soil erosion – and how conservation strategies including permanent crop cover can prevent this.

Simulation models show the expected climate-caused movement of present maize and wheat growing areas on a global and European context. World maps illustrating soil types and soil degradation patterns complement the information. Visitors can also learn about success practical farming projects featuring conservation agriculture in Kazakhstan, Nicaragua, Tanzania and Kenya.

The soil discovery trail

Machinery-caused high ground pressures can be avoided through a better understanding of the association between soil biological activity and its structure. This is visually demonstrated at the show:

• Under the field surface: Soil biological activity.
• Measuring ground pressure: Computer calculations for assessing depth compaction effect of ground pressures.
• Soil sensors: Rapid and precise soil compaction measurement methods with comparisons between compacted and non-compacted soil in the context of resistance to crop root growth.

Spade diagnosis of soil structure

A simple spade soil test analysis available free at the show quickly and reliably determines soil structure. Structural differences can be identified and assessed from prepared soil samples highlighting, for instance, the effects of years of direct drilling or plough-based crop establishment. Strengths and weaknesses of cultivation systems are more clearly seen and thus more reliable decisions made for future strategies.

Mastering soil erosion

Forecasting potential long-term soil loss under specific rotations is possible at this presentation which considers relief, soil type, grade and structure. Ways to reduce topsoil loss and also compaction are offered. A simulation shows the effects of heavy rain and how and when soil erosion takes place.

Field-specific crop establishment

Demonstrated here is a practical way of continuously adjusting seeding depth for optimum germination conditions where soil temperature and moisture content vary. Advantage: up to 6% improved emergence.

Soil cultivation worldwide – economic viability and outlook

The economics of production systems and soil cultivations are highlighted using the reference crops wheat and maize in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, France, Poland, Russia, UK, Ukraine and USA. Interactions between cultivations, local conditions, production and yield - but also the economic conditions in each situation are analysed. With support from experts, visitors can calculate their own scenarios.

Tyres that protect soil

A newly developed test that can detect the effect of tyre type on soil structure is presented, helping tyre selection for particular soils, reducing ground pressure and avoiding compaction - measures that can ultimately lead to fuel savings and better economic performance.

Soil specialists – the world’s top farmers

Outstanding farmers from the world’s leading cropping regions present their soil cultivation systems and long-year experience. Focussed-on here are production technology, economy and local knowledge. Presented from the Americas (Brazil, Argentina, USA, Canada); Western Europe (France, UK, Germany); and Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan) are portraits of different farms and their regionally specific cultivation challenges. Important here are the on-farm solutions based on long-term experience within high-performance farming businesses. Advisors from the regions will complement the presentations with commentaries. Topics discussed include: the role of deep or shallow cultivations for erosion avoidance; the importance of mulch depth; effects of straw and of field slope. Other topics: minimum cultivation at any cost?; does widening the rotation help in direct drilling systems?; measures against soil erosion and compaction. Individual solutions are presented along with examples of cost and time management in cultivations. Also on show: soil information systems from all over the world spotlighting the challenges of the individual locations and the solutions and successful strategies that may be applied there and in other locations.

The event features 50 expert presentations and discussion sessions. Surrounding this information hotspot for all arable farmers are presentations from leading agricultural organisations, from the science sector and farm equipment makers. Giant walk-on soil maps demonstrate the world’s best growing areas and erosion simulators show the dramatic effects of wind and weather. There’s even a chance to descend below the topsoil into a “soil laboratory” to interactively assess damage potential of various loads on different soils. Practical soil compaction sensing equipment is applied to demonstrate measuring of pressure points from different tyre “footprints”.

Lively video animations, large-scale landscape maps and models show other soil problems and how the enterprising and knowledgeable crop grower can beat them.

Especially useful: experienced and expert advisers are always on-hand at each point to explain, listen to your questions and discuss the results - in German, English and Russian.

Official opening 11 November 2007

The opening ceremony of the World Soil and Tillage Show takes place on Sunday 11 November at 11 a.m. in Forum 1 in Hall 11. Speakers include DLG President Carl-Albrecht Bartmer, Alexander Müller, Assistant General Director of the FAO, Professor Dr. Hans-Joachim Weigel, President of the Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) and Dr. Franz-Georg von Busse, Member of the Board, VDMA Agricultural Machinery Association.