Very Deep Plowing...Why?

[Trac-Tech]

Renze
Well done with the explanation!!! I understand they are doing this type of deep plowing in Italy as well now due to chemicals being in the ground from years of farming? Is this correct?

 

[Deereman4020]

the hard pan was created through years and years of chisel plowing and molboard plowing we use V-rippers to incorporate this years fertilizer(manure usually) and to break up the hard pan to help the roots grow down deeper for moisture

 

[Renze]

There are ploughs used for deep tillage.

Equipment Comparisons For Deep Plowing Solonetzic Soils

Hmm... Never heard or seen that deep ploughing also occurred in Canada...
I wouldnt really expect it there either, because in North America there is so much room that it would seem more likely to find a better spot for farming, a few miles away.

Thanks for pointing that out !

 

[Renze]

Renze
Well done with the explanation!!! I understand they are doing this type of deep plowing in Italy as well now due to chemicals being in the ground from years of farming? Is this correct?

I have seen many photos from Italy about deep ploughing with 3pt hitch converted bulldozers, as well as bigger farm tractors, and asked the Italians why they did it, but i could only get Italian answers that didnt learn me anything !

From what i've seen, the Italians dont go any deeper than 2 feet, yet i still dont know why..?

YouTube - Aratura Budrione 2008
looking at this video of a classic 1950's Landini tractor ploughing deep, i dont know if its related to chemicals, did there ever were chemicals in the 1950's ??

 

[D7E]

It depends what you call deep.....?In england where we used to grow potatoes 15 inches was normal every year but different soils play a big part...we used a 6 bottom rollover on a 115hp fwa..????????

 

[Renze]

My family in Ontario, Canada had a White 5-18" plough, with which they could plough 6 inch... they said that was the average ploughing depth there. (they hadnt used it in 10 years, but now pulled it from under the brush, to plough a 40 year old pasture which they hired from a neighbor that stopped farming, to grow wheat)

In Holland, most farmers on sand, plough 10 inch, most clay farmers plough 12 or 13 inch.

With potatoes on hills, you need a bit more loose soil to build your hills from

 

[healthier]

We began deep plowing at Dole in 1992 as part of our commitment to sustainable agriculture and better nutrition. Unlike conventional plowing, deep plowing rejuvenates the soil.

While most plows merely turn the topsoil six inches, deep plowing reaches down three feet deep, exposing new, nutrient-rich soil.

 

[Egon]

in North America there is so much room that it would seem more likely to find a better spot for farming, a few miles away.

One could only wish!

 

[Skerby]

there are nutrients in the lower soil levels.. so they're farming fertalizer and improving drainage on the fields....

 

[Renze]

While most plows merely turn the topsoil six inches, deep plowing reaches down three feet deep, exposing new, nutrient-rich soil.

That totally depends on the area: in my area, it would only bring up yellow beach sand that will be blown away in a dry summer... Over here, deep ploughing is only done to dig the topsoil back from under landfill, and on heavy soils like peat or clay.