When not effectively managed, crop residues can lead to challenges, including pest and disease issues, depletion of soil nutrients and difficulties in preparing the seedbed for the next growing season. Together these can impact future crop yields and overall farm productivity. There are many factors farmers should consider before and after the harvesting period to ensure effective stubble management. Some examples of these are the type and quantity of crop residue, soil health, the weather, and available equipment.
Historically, controversial methods like stubble burning was used to prevent blackgrass and to quickly clear fields. While this practice is now illegal in many countries, including in the UK, due to its negative environmental impact, it remains a practice used in some parts of the world. Farmers today have access to more sustainable and safer alternatives for managing post-harvest crops. In this guide, we'll explore the essential aspects of post-harvest stubble management, examining the implications of poor management, and discuss the sustainable alternatives to stubble burning.
What is stubble management in agriculture?
Stubble management is an agricultural practice that involves the handling of crop residue after harvesting. This process is an essential part of modern farming that does not only play a significant role in clearing fields, but it also links to sustainable agriculture and soil conservation.
There are many advantages of effectively managing stubble for farmers preparing for their next harvest period
- Weed Control: properly managed stubble can create a physical barrier that prevents weed from growing.
- Improve Soil Health: when carefully and strategically done the crop residues can boost the quality of the soil content and help improve soil structure and the microbial activity; providing optimum conditions for growth.
- Improved Seedbed Conditions: stubble can contribute to creating an optimal environment for seed germination.
- Weather Protection: Leaving the Winter cropping of stubble till Spring keeps the soil structure intact and during prolonged poor weather condition. Ideal for those planning a Spring crop.
When farmers prioritise effective stubble management, there is an increased likelihood for the next season to yield more crops and incorporate more sustainable farming practices.
Traditional stubble management approaches
One of the most enduring approaches that is still widely used today is ploughing. Ploughing involves turning over the top layer of soil once every 3 to 5 years, effectively burying crop residues and preparing the seedbed for the next planting season. Ploughing can help incorporate organic matter into the soil and prevent weeds from growing.
Ploughing and stubble burning as traditional stubble management approaches
Historically, a traditional method, which has been widely abandoned was stubble burning. As the name states, it involves setting fire to crop residues left in the field after harvest.
The drawbacks of stubble burning are significant:
- Environmental Impact: Crop burning releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Loss of Nutrients: The process destroys valuable nutrients which would benefit the next season’s crops.
- Safety Concerns: Setting fire to a dry field has significant risks, especially with developed areas that are near the farm.
- Legal Restrictions: In the UK, crop burning is heavily regulated under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Crop Residues (Burning) Regulations 1993, which essentially states that farmers should only use crop burning as a last resort if no alternative methods can be used for extreme circumstances such as disease control.
One of the most enduring crop management approaches, still widely used today, is ploughing. The advantage of ploughing is that it is a technique that effectively incorporates crop residues into the soil, improving the quality of soil organic matter and nutrient availability, when done effectively. It can also help control weeds by burying seeds and disrupting growth cycles, whilst also creating a clean seedbed for the next crop.
However, it does come with drawbacks. It can lead to soil erosion because ploughing removes the top layer of soil, which leaves it exposed to the elements and increasing its susceptibility to being erode. Additionally, during ploughing a hard layer called the ‘hard pan’ can be created, reducing soil aeration which can make it difficult for plant roots to grow and helpful microbes to survive. It’s also resource intensive: slow progress, heavy fuel consumption, and prolonged operator hours. Despite this, it remains an excellent way to manage blackgrass and an effective stubble management technique.
Modern methods to stubble management
The agricultural sector has shifted to a focus on sustainable stubble management practices, with innovative tillage methods at the forefront. These techniques aim to help with effective stubble management whilst considering soil conservation. Conservation tillage is a popular alternative to traditional ploughing as it minimises soil disturbance and leaves a significant portion of crop residues on the field; helping increase the soil micro diversity for optimal future crop growth. Techniques like strip-tillage and no-till farming offer benefits such as improved soil structure, increased water retention, and enhanced soil biodiversity, helping to minimise factors affecting post-harvest losses.
Vertical tillage has also emerged as an effective technique for managing heavy crop residues while maintaining soil structure. This method involves running specialised agricultural machinery vertically through the soil to level the seedbed without excessive soil inversion. And precision agriculture technologies have further advanced stubble management, allowing farmers to tailor their tillage practices to specific field conditions using GPS-guided machinery and variable-rate application systems. These modern tillage methods not only improve stubble management but also contribute to overall farm sustainability and promote long-term agricultural productivity.
How to decide if stubble cultivation is the right choice for you this coming season
When choosing stubble management techniques for your farm, there are a range of factors that should be considered to determine if cultivation is the best approach. Some considerations you should keep in mind before you make an informed decision, like:
- What the next crop in rotation is: The next crop in sow is a huge consideration as different crops have different requirements, for example some benefit from a fine seedbed and others benefit from being directly drilled.
- The weather conditions: There are certain weather conditions that may prevent you from using specific cultivation machinery.
- Soil conditions: Depending on the soil condition e.g. type of loam, drainage quality, and soil type variance across the field, farmers may need to consider what cultivation method and corresponding machines to use
Direct and combination seed drills, primary cultivators and tined harrows are some examples of agricultural machinery that can be used as options to use when building an effective stubble management strategy.
About AMTEC
Take a look at what our experts here at AMTEC have to say about post-harvest stubble management. “Farmers face numerous decisions regarding stubble management immediately after harvest. The approach varies based on factors such as the next planned crop, weather forecasts, and specific field conditions. Some farmers opt to leave fields untouched, especially if weather conditions are unfavourable, as this can preserve soil structure. Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) is an emerging technique where all machinery operates on fixed tramlines, minimising soil compaction across the field. This system requires careful planning and matching of equipment widths. The timing of operations is also crucial, particularly for weed management. Some farmers create a light tilth to encourage weed germination, which can then be sprayed off before planting the next crop. This technique, known as stale seedbed, is particularly effective for managing problematic weeds like black grass”.
AMTEC offers a range of agricultural machinery to help farmers with stubble management. Our diverse range includes:
- Disc harrows that can be used to till the soil where the crops are going to be planted
- Subsoilers for preventing soil compaction
- Power harrows, ideal for creating fine seedbeds
- A range of cultivators to suit various soil types and conditions
- Direct drills for minimal soil disturbance seeding
- Ploughs for burying stubble and weeds
Summary
Stubble management is a crucial component of post-harvest farming, and it is essential for preparing fields for the next season. While traditional methods like stubble burning are now largely abandoned due to environmental concerns, modern approaches focus on sustainability. Nowadays, ploughing and tillage methods are used as a part of stubble management. AMTEC offers a range of machinery to support effective stubble management, including disc harrows, subsoilers, and power harrows. By adopting appropriate stubble management practices, farmers can improve soil health, control weeds, and enhance their overall farm productivity.
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