The end of no-till?

[Headhunter]

There's an interesting discussion going on right now on NPR about the diminishing effectiveness of Roundup and other weed-killers, which are so necessary for the use of no-till farming. More than once the idea has been put forward that some farmers are returning (or considering returning) at least in some part to plowing fields for weed reduction. Just thought that would be of interest to some of you, particularly people like me who found most of our collections in deeply plowed fields when that was the normal practice.

[DesertWalker]

That is interesting. I know some fields that need to be deep plowed again. It would be a whole new ball game if they did!!

[rmartin]

I sure hope the farmers around here get the word!!! Ray

[Steve Valentine]

That would be sweet. I would love to see some deep plowing on some my old haunts.

[Massac]

Problem is that no farmers listen to npr.

lol

[ShowmeMoflint]

From my experience hunting artifacts is that most farmers that do no-till usually chisel, or disc there fields every so often to prevent weeds building up. I see farmers that do no-till and use round-up weed killer or some form of weed barrier still have problems with weeds far before harvest time. I think the no-till idea was a good thought for erosion purposes but it surely doesn't help with weeds and it is killing most people hopes of finding artifacts. I honestly think that all farmers should be mandated to plow fields every five years that do no-till.I am deep plow the fields not this piddly scratching the surface crap and drilling the seed in the ground.

[Headhunter]

Well, interestingly enough, I had some evidence of what's happening tonight. I visited one of my second-tier sites this evening after work, which was lightly disced and planted about 2 weeks ago. The field is COVERED in pigweed a foot high or more. I think the soybean crop will be a total loss. I spoke to the landowner and he agreed that he'd never seen the weeds take over like this. Something will have to change soon.

[Shane Williams]

With lobbyist from round-up and other herbicide companies. No-Till put allot of them on the map. I understand the help with erosion, and the less money & time spent in the fields plowing/disking/planting. What about the other effects to the environment with thousands of gallons of herbicide being put to the ground. Usually in close proximity to some sort of water shed. Not to mention the effects of eating produce & grains which have been grown in soil treated with herbicide. Isn't there already enough chemicals in the food we eat. Sorry, kind of got of on a tangent. Never the less I would love to see an end to NO-TILL, not only for artifact hunting. The last i knew "-cide" means death.

[eddies]

thanks for putting this info out there,i was starting to think i was not going to see a plowed field again.

[Patrico]

Yes I agree with all, seems like we try to use chemicals to make the work easier and end up poisoning ourselfs in the process! 90percent of my field hunting area in clay co. Mo. Has been converted to no- till witch has been a real bummer. Like to see the farmers go back to old fasioned work and do some terracing if needed for the erosion and run-off