Evolution of Rotary Spader as Primary Tillage Tool in Various Soils

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Animal Production: feed/forage
• Crop Production: crop rotation, rotary spader tillage tool
• Soil Management: green manures, soil quality/health

Our project goal for this co-op grant research project will be to study a great deal of anticipated values of the Rotary Spader Tillage tool. With primary intent to fully disclose all the short-term and long-term effects on soil ecology this tool provides, in direct comparison to the moldboard plow and rototiller. We as a number of farms, with greatly varying soil types, drainage, etc., expect to compile supporting documentation as to the values in primary tillage this tool can offer.  Funding to purchase a spader small enough to allow tractors of 15-20 hp range, will provide clear trial documentation that small family farms with small tractors can allow their sustainable methods the necessary technology to improve soil ecology. 

Multi-farm study with interactivity from a number of growers will help greatly in data researching. Development of technological study results will continue over many years. Some obvious results will be anticipated, including crop production increases due to:

1. Better drainage: the spader is said to penetrate hard pans and greatly improve the water perculation through natural capillary activity.
2. Primary tillage using the rotary spader even when soil moisture levels are too high for moldboard or rototiller useage should provide early planting and less damage and mixing of soil topsoil and subsoils. 
3. Through useage of the rotary tiller, we expect less field travel, less soil compaction, less fuel consumption, and a more ecological process of diversified crop production.