Why Use a Rotary Hoe? |
Posted: April 10, 2019 |
A rotary hoe is a helpful tool that farmers use for cultivation. It comes from the cultivating tool family but can help with a whole range of tasks. You can use a rotary hoe for improving your crop production, reducing the risk of soil crusting, and controlling weeds in the absence or limitations of herbicides. The rotary hoes market is as diverse as the crops you sow. You can haul it behind your tractor, buy a self-propelled unit, or even revert to the old methods and use your dear old horse to offer a helping hand. Below, we offer as much helpful information as you require about rotary hoes, and why it could be in your best interests to use one on your farm for cultivation purposes. For Weed Control Out of all uses for rotary hoes, its role in weed control is one of the most important. It’s especially helpful when you have not used a tiller. A till-free setup promotes weed growth, but a rotary hoe can expose the weeds’ roots and loosen the soil. According to a report at the University of Wisconsin, you should haul out the rotary hoes for weed control before you see weeds. If they are already poking through the surface, you’re too late. Depending on weather conditions, you should start using your rotary hoe about one week after planting and before crop emergence. If weather conditions are cool, you can gauge the best time for rotary hoeing at around one and a half inches below the soil’s surface. If you run an organic farm with no herbicide to accompany your rotary hoe weed control method, then 5-10 days post-planting is possibly the best time. When using rotary hoes for weed control, timing is everything. Operate your machinery at around 10-15km, waiting until the soil is mostly dry for effortless removal of weeds. Sunny, windy, and warm weather is best, and remember to remove your hoe from the ground as you turn corners to prevent crop loss. Rotary hoeing equates to around a 10 percent crop loss, so adjust your seed rates to reflect that. For Soil Crusting If you have tilled fields, minimal residue cover, and silt-laden soil, then you are most likely familiar with soil crusting. While farmers love a bit of rain after sowing seeds, there’s a fine line between enough and too much. When you follow up sowing with heavy rain, you get a dense layer of soil that’s compact and heavier than the dirt below. The water pushes the soil down; then once it stops, the dirt dries quickly to form that thick crust. Having that crust can cause a significant amount of damage. It reduces oxygen and water flow to your seeds, potentially stunting their growth, damaging them, or weakening them. When you don’t act fast with rotary hoes or other means, your seeds will lose all their energy and die. Rotary hoes come in useful for combating the issue of soil crusting. They break up the soil to let your seedlings breathe. However, as with anything, timing is crucial. You have to use the rotary hoe when the soil moisture level is above the field capacity. To determine when that is, crumble the soil in your hand with minimal pressure. If it doesn’t leave behind a lot of moisture but does leave a little, it will be okay to use your rotary hoe. For Organic Farming Operations There are many costs and benefits associated with organic farming. Yield costs, for example, are up to 25 percent lower than mainstream farming. Whether you’re an organic farmer or you have herbicide-resistant crops, then you may be looking for a machinery-related method to help take care of your weeds. Using a rotary hoe for weed control and taking care of soil crusting can be a cost-effective method of soil and crop care for an organic farmer. What to Consider When Using Rotary Hoes The market is now full of new rotary hoes, based loosely on the original design from the early 1900s. When you’re looking for a new rotary hoe, some features stand out more than others. Take Celli rotary hoes, for example. They have multi-flange waterproof sealing systems, steel rotor seals to ensure a long-lasting rotor bearing, and a strong headstock. Farmers also love the multi-speed gearboxes, oil-filled rotor bearings, and the box selection body. When it comes time to hit the paddock, make sure you have a stone shield to stop stones flicking up, and ensure your spoons are sharp. What’s more, consider whether your tractor has the necessary horsepower to pull your rotary hoe along. Conclusion As many farmers move away from manual machinery, in favour of chemicals and automation, they still keep coming back to the rotary hoe. The style may have changed slightly since its invention all those years ago, but the benefits remain the same. You can use rotary hoes in organic farming, for weed control, and to take care of soil crusting. Very few other machinery can offer those same benefits. Author’s Bio My name is Theresa Le Roux, I am originally from Montreal, Canada but I have spent the last 5 years in beautiful New Zealand. I write Digital marketing articles for businesses that want a different perspective on subjects that are important to their content output. I regularly contribute articles to Clickthrough SEO New Zealand. I am a diehard Game of Thrones fan with a passion for novels and live music! My career goal is to one day write a novel of my own. Connect me via email [email protected].
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