Ray Rawson's Bin-Busting Secrets: Do Less, Earn More!

Ray Rawson's Bin-Busting Secrets: Do Less, Earn More! CROPS Miscellaneous 27-2-35 Ray Rawson has devoted 39 years of research and development to the perfection of equipment that helps produce higher yields. He holds 16 patents for zone tillage equipment that deep-tills planting strips through unplowed fields. He's been able to achieve yields three times his county's average, including 118 bushels per acre on soybeans and more than 300 bushels per acre on corn. What's more, he does it with less work and a much higher profit margin. Rawson farms thousands of acres near Farwell, Mich., and maintains a large test plot program. He is constantly tinkering with his "Zone Till" equipment. In addition, he speaks to groups across the country about his methods. Rawson recently co-authored a book called "Breaking Barriers: 7 Secrets That Unlock Higher Yields" with well-known agronomist Dr. Jim Ladlie. The book, along with a companion video, is packed with ideas from Rawson and other successful producers. Following are excerpts from the book. To get a copy of the book and/or video, call toll-free 888-875-2425 or go the web site at www.profitproag.com. Deep zone tillage equipment is available from Brillion Iron Works, Brillion, Wis. (ph 800 409-9749 or 902 756-3720; www.brillionfarmeq.com). In our farming operation, we have always looked for alternate solutions. I'm not saying we're the world's best at it, but it sure has helped us in the long run. We have looked for solutions that will give us a competitive edge, let us produce that 2, 3, 4 or 10-bushels an acre more every year. We've used every piece of machinery imaginable on the market. We've used every kind of fertilizer, seed and herbicide. When we weren't satisfied with the equipment that we were using, we invented our own, then changed it to make it better. The more we did and the more we experimented, the more we realized that higher yields are about three things: soil chemistry, biological activity in the soil, and the physical aspects of soil management - and how these three things work together. I believe in trying new ideas and evaluating them, perfecting the imperfections, and putting them to use on our farms. This approach, which we have continually strived to improve, has been very successful, and profitable. Do Less & Earn More! Many years ago we farmed with a no-till system, and that convinced us that we could make fewer trips across a field and produce as good or better crops than people who made four or more trips to our one or two. We experimented with different types of planters, different ways to create a better seedbed in front of the planters, and different ways to apply nutrients to our crop. After much experimenting, we arrived at a system we called Zone Till Planting. It involved three coulters running in front of the planting unit to create a roto-tilling effect and an ideal seedbed. That system worked well, but we found that compaction below the roots caused moisture to pool there and roots couldn't penetrate the compaction layer. Deep Zone Tillage The solution was to put a slot through the bottom of the planting zone, a process we call Deep Zone Tillage. "We have found that the deep zone tillage system helps allow the surface water to move quickly into the subsoil rather than running off. Minimal tillage with the deep slot aerates the soil, allows moisture and roots to penetrate deep, and increases biological activity. Earthworm numbers increase, and that's a sign of healthy soil that supports healthy and productive crops. On the meeting circuit I am often asked about soil compaction. My answer always has two parts: I believe that most farmers definitely have compaction in their soil, and a lot of farmers have compaction between their ears. The audiences always chuckle at that, but I believe it's true. Look beyond what you're doing now, try other ideas, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results. Design, Refine & Improve Our current tillage system is deep slots in the fall on land that has c

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