RESIDUE MANAGEMENT: PRACTICES

HOW CAN I MANAGE CORN RESIDUE MORE EFFECTIVELY IN THE FALL?

Corn residue contains large quantities of nutrients. Managing residue can speed degradation, allowing for an earlier release of nutrients. The residue that is broken down is easier to plant through in no-till situations. Often times, we noted more uniform emergence and higher final stands when planting into stalks that had been managed to decompose quicker. Both mechanical manipulation and the use of compounds that break down the stalks can aid in the breakdown process.

WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO MANAGE RESIDUE?

Our PFR research indicates that both mechanical manipulation and the application of residue management products can be effective. The decision might simply be what works best for your farm.

OBSERVATION

Because potassium is part of the plant sap, it can easily be washed out of the stalks. Crushing or rupturing the stalks allows water to run over and through them, making it easier and quicker to wash out the potassium.

NUTRIENT VALUE OF CORN RESIDUE

DID YOU KNOW?

There is approximately 168 lb. of K₂0 available in the residue of a 200 Bu./A. corn crop.

RESIDUE MANAGEMENT: PRODUCTS

PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS

RES PLUS

Res Plus is a dual-action residue management product that contains two components for residue breakdown; chelated micro and macronutrients combined with a residue degradation booster. We saw improved degradation and yield in all four years of testing. The speed of residue decomposition is dependent on soil temperature and moisture during the fall which likely explains year-to-year variation.

Key Benefits: Residue can be easier to cut through when planting 

ROBUST^®

Robust is a unique formulation of plant and soil nutrients designed to feed the microbes in the soil, leading to increased residue degradation. We observed increased degradation and increased yield in all three years of testing. The most consistent results have come from fall applications that were followed by warm, moist conditions.

Key Benefits: Residue can be easier to cut through when planting 

CORN MULTI-YEAR YIELD ADVANTAGE

RESIDUE MANAGEMENT: EQUIPMENT

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTIONS

CAPELLO^® QUASAR CHOPPING HEAD

The Capello Quasar Chopping Head sizes corn residue much smaller than a traditional head. Small residue has more surface area for microbes to impact, resulting in faster residue breakdown and ultimately, quicker nutrient availability the following growing season. The head comes in a wide range of configurations including folding or rigid frames.

Key Benefits: Smaller sized pieces break down more quickly 

YETTER STALK DEVASTATOR™

The Yetter 5000 Stalk Devastator is designed to crush corn stalks to facilitate quicker residue breakdown. The Yetter 5000 Stalk Devastator pushes over stalks and reduces damage to tires, tracks, wires, and hydraulic hoses. In corn-following-corn scenarios, it has demonstrated the ability to breakdown residue better than a traditional head alone.

Key Benefits: Reduces damage to tires and residue breaks down faster

RESIDUE MANAGEMENT: EQUIPMENT YIELD ADVANTAGE

CORN MULTI-YEAR YIELD ADVANTAGE

SOYBEAN MULTI-YEAR YIELD ADVANTAGE

RESIDUE MANAGEMENT: EQUIPMENT ACRES TO PAY OFF

Acres to pay off uses the price of the specific residue management equipment, the corn price, and the Bu./A. advantage for each type of equipment. In t he charts below, a smaller number means the residue management equipment "pays for itself" more quickly.

YETTER STALK DEVASTATOR™

CAPELLO^® QUASAR CHOPPING HEAD (COMPARED TO NON-CHOPPING OEM CORN HEAD)

CAPELLO^® QUASAR CHOPPING HEAD (COMPARED TO NON-CHOPPING OEM CORN HEAD)