Farmers looking for innovative alternatives for terminating a cover crop will have the chance to see roller crimpers in action at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.
Roller crimpers are designed to overcome the issue of knocking down a cover crop and then planting on no-till and organic farms. The rolling action of the machine crimps the plant stem and leaves mulch on the surface of the soil, a process that aids in moisture retention and weed suppression. Cover crops increase organic matter (carbon) in the soil and improves aggregation if tillage is not used.
At Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, manufacturers Yetter, Smyth Welding and Riteway will be demonstrating their roller-crimpers in a plot with an oat and barley mix as the cover crop.
“Interest from manufacturers in producing roller-crimpers has grown in step with demand for no-till and organic options,” says Owen Smelski, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Field Demonstration Manager. “We’re pleased to give farmers the opportunity to see this unique equipment at work in the field so they can make informed decisions about what will work best for their particular operation.”
The Roller Crimper Demo is sponsored by the Ontario Agriculture College, in collaboration with Grain Farmers of Ontario, Innovative Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Soil Network and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association to collectively explore soil conservation practices.
This demonstration will take place at 11:00 a.m. on September 10, 11 & 12, 2019 in the Southwest Demo Field.