What every farmershould know about

water management…and how it leads to

higher yields.

yield-till ® system

Find out more about the yield-till system and howto help your plants thrive. Ask your Case IH dealer formore information.

Will This Year be Wet or Dry?

Will This Year be Wet or Dry?

Whichever it is, you’ll maximize your yields with proper primary tillage for

proactive water management.

The Essence ofFarm Profit

CIH3010704

Case IH is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC

©2005 CNH America LLC All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA

www.caseih.com

NOTES

18

You cannot control the amount of rainfall youreceive. But you can control how your plantsutilize it. Proactive water management is thekey to higher yields in dry and wet years.Therefore, understanding how water interactswith soil is essential. Let’s examine a fewcommon water management misconceptions.

Infiltration: water entry intothe soil.

Permeability: ease of watermovement through thesoil.

Percolation: excess water movingdeeper into the soilprofile.

Soil Tilth: partly, a measure of asoil’s ability to absorband hold water.

DEFINITIONS

WATER MANAGEMENT:

1

Maybe, maybe not. During severe droughts, soilmoisture gets depleted all the way down, deepinto the soil profile. This important moisturereserve must be replenished for plants to thrive,but water cannot get down into the subsoil if yoursoil is compacted. Rainfall on compacted soil onlysoaks down as far as the compaction layer. Therest either runs off or creates ponds, a waste ofprecious resources.

MYTHS AND FACTS

2

The Case IH tiger point improves soil tilth tohelp manage the extremes in rainfall/moistureand compaction. The result is higher yieldseven in the most diverse conditions.

?DidYouKnow

DRYLAND SOYBEANSNo-till

17 bushels per acre(light areas)

DRYLAND SOYBEANSNo-till

17 bushels per acre(light areas)

PIVOT IRRIGATED SOYBEANSNo-till

34 bushels per acre

PIVOT IRRIGATED SOYBEANSNo-till

34 bushels per acre

DRYLAND SOYBEANSTILLED WITH MRD SHANKS

AND 7 in. tiger points43 bushels per acre

(dark strips)

DRYLAND SOYBEANSTILLED WITH MRD SHANKS

AND 7 in. tiger points43 bushels per acre

(dark strips)

August 22, 1996Forrest City, Arkansaset 500

17

MISCONCEPTION:MISCONCEPTION:Good rains will takecare of a drought.

perched waterperched water

compaction layercompaction layer

It takes 5,000 gallons of utilized water toproduce a bushel of corn. That means 200bushels of corn require 1,000,000 gallons ofutilized water per acre!

?DidYouKnow

Not necessarily. Ponding is usually a result ofpoorly managed soil. When soil is compacted, itcannot absorb water. Compacted soil is like asponge that is squeezed tight: there is no spacefor air and water. To make matters worse,compacted soil forms an impenetrable layer thatprevents excess water from draining through.The result is ponding.

WATER MANAGEMENT:

3

▲ ecolo-tiger 93009 shanks, 30 in. (76 cm) spacing400–500 required hp22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m) working width

• X-disk frame

• Lead shanks are optional

• Optional rear hitch forP/T crumblerseed bed finisher

FOR YOURFARMING PRACTICE

16

MISCONCEPTION:MISCONCEPTION:Ponding is a result oftoo much rainfall.

Soil with good tilth has moisture throughout andits open, mellow structure allows the roots toabsorb it. Compacted soil can hold very littlemoisture — primarily in the area above thecompaction layer — leaving it vulnerable toquickly drying out. When this happens, the rootswill try to find water deeper in the soil.Unfortunately, a compaction layer will stop themdry. The bottom line? If conditions are optimum,you might get good yields with poor tilth, butyou’ll always do better with good tilth, no matterhow much rainfall you get.

MYTHS AND FACTS

4

▲

P/T crumblerSize Recommendations530C – 15 ft. (4.57 m)730C – 20 ft. (6.10 m)9300 – 25 ft. (7.62 m)MRX690 (5-shank) – 17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)MRX690 (7-shank) – 22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)

• Breaks clods to create a uniform soil surface

• Pushes soil and root crowns into open “holes”

• Levels and firms the soil surface

• Flattens residue to protect soil from erosion

▲

THE RIGHT PRIMARYTILLAGE SOLUTION:

15

MISCONCEPTION:MISCONCEPTION:If we get frequent rains,it doesn’t matter if mysoil is compacted.

MRX6907 shanks (5-shank unit also available)200–400 required hp17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m) working width

• Shallow-concavity blades offer superior soilpenetration

• Parabolic shanks and winged tiger® points shattercompaction to create healthier soil

• Standard-concavity rear leveling blades aggressivelysize clods, roll soil and mix residue

THE WATERMANAGEMENT SOLUTION:

5

While earthworms do help create porespace in soil, the large pores they createact mostly as drainage pipes. Thus,when rainfall hits compacted soil withearthworm activity, the large pores tendto not store water for plant growth. Inaddition, earthworms’ ability to inhabit thesoil profile is limited by compaction.

?DidYouKnow

▲

FOR YOURFARMING PRACTICE

14

ecolo-tiger 527B5 shanks, 27 in. (69 cm) spacing140–180 required hp11 ft. 3 in. (3.43 m) working width

• Rectangular disk frame

• Available in a unique No-tilltillage configuration withCase IH No-till shanks andNo-till points for virtuallydisturbance-free tillage

Primary tillage, using yield-till systemtools, fractures compaction and creates amore open soil structure (good tilth) forimproved water absorption, infiltration andpercolation. This helps increase yields in wetand dry years. If it’s too wet, good tilththrough primary tillage lets excess waterdrain through. Good tilth also opens up thesoil and increases its water-holding capacity;therefore, in dry years the soil has moremoisture and the roots are free to get it.

PROPER PRIMARY TILLAGE

6

The Case IH yield-till system includes primarytillage tools for every farming practice. Each toolcan be equipped in a variety of ways so you getthe level of residue management, compactionfracturing and seed bed conditions you want.Each one will help you manage water for higheryields.

ecolo-til® 25003–9 shanks85–345 required hp7 ft. 6 in. – 26 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m – 8.08 m)working widths

• Available in a unique No-till tillage configurationwith Case IH No-till shanks and No-till points forvirtually disturbance-free tillage

• Can be equipped with fertilizer attachments to tilland root zone band fertilizer in one pass

▲

THE RIGHT PRIMARYTILLAGE SOLUTION:

13

▲

ecolo-tiger 730C7 shanks (5-shank unit also available)245–340 required hp17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m) working width• Fractures compaction, increasing soil

tilth and water and nutrientabsorption by plants

• Optional rear hitch for P/Tcrumbler seed bed finisher

THE WATERMANAGEMENT SOLUTION:

7

How is good tilth created?Proper primary tillage creates good soil tilthby managing crop residue and eliminatingcompaction. This returns the soil to the idealmixture of 40-50% soil, 20-30% water,20-30% air (pore space) and 1-5% organicmatter. Here’s how this is accomplished withan ecolo-tiger® disk ripper.

1. X-disk frame cuts, sizes andincorporates residue.

Residue mixed into the soil:• Meshes with soil aggregates,

enabling water infiltration.

• Builds and separates soil aggregatesto resist crusting and maintainpore space.

• Builds soil organic matter, increasingsoil water-holding capacity.

“The yield [increase] is definitely attributedto better utilization of the water that we

had over the winter, allowing the rootsystem to get down to that water to get

those nutrients.”Richard Wesley

USDA Agricultural Engineer, speaking of the up to15 bu/acre soybean yield increases due to deep tillage.

Maryland Farmer, March 1997, pg. 9.

The freeze-thaw cycle cannot adequately solvecompaction problems, since compacted soil hashad the water squeezed out of it.

Example: The Oregon Trail has not been usedfor over 100 years, yet soil in the wheel trackshas 50% lower water infiltration and 50% lowerair permeability!Sharratt et. alSoil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 62.774-777, 1998

?DidYouKnow

12

tiger point GUIDE

11

3. Hydraulic disk level’r distributesthe soil and residue mixture whilethe P/T crumbler ® Fall seed bedfinisher reduces clod size.

2. Lead shanks and main shanksequipped with tiger pointsfracture compaction.

PROPER PRIMARY TILLAGE

8

10 in. standard tiger pointsFracture: 50% – 70%Residue remaining: 70% – 85%

▲

10 in. replaceable tip andwing tiger pointsFracture: 50% – 70%Residue remaining: 70% – 85%

▲

7 in. replaceable tip tiger pointsFracture: 30% – 60%Residue remaining: 70% – 90%

▲

7 in. standard tiger pointsFracture: 30% – 60%Residue remaining: 70% – 90%

▲

8 in. No-till pointsFracture: 25% – 50%Residue remaining: 70% – 95%

▲

Note: Field performance varies basedon soil and operating conditions.

• Fractures up to 80% ofcompaction with 10 in. (25 cm)point on 30 in. (76 cm) centers

• Creates a mellow, healthier soilfor greater yield potential —in dry or wet years

• Maximizes water/air infiltrationto reduce ponding, runoffand erosion

• Enables percolation ofexcess water deepinto the soil

• Opens up the soilso roots can godeep for neededmoisture duringdry times

• the tip starts the fracturing bylifting the compacted soil

• the front area of the wings startsthe twisting action which relocatessoil layers — preventingimmediate recompaction

• the back of the wings, togetherwith the shank, finish the job byrolling the soil to incorporatefertilizer and residue

Lift RollTwist

9 10

THE HEART OF AN ecolo-tiger IS THE tiger point.

How does the tiger point work?

“If the plant hits a dry spell in summer,its deep roots can get to moisture.”

Francis Childsgrower of 393 bu/acre corn, speaking about tillage.

Wallaces Farmer, December 1999, pg. 16.

This patented lift, twist and rollaction is NOT found on sweep points!

• Fractures up to 80% ofcompaction with 10 in. (25 cm)point on 30 in. (76 cm) centers

• Creates a mellow, healthier soilfor greater yield potential —in dry or wet years

• Maximizes water/air infiltrationto reduce ponding, runoffand erosion

• Enables percolation ofexcess water deepinto the soil

• Opens up the soilso roots can godeep for neededmoisture duringdry times

• the tip starts the fracturing bylifting the compacted soil

• the front area of the wings startsthe twisting action which relocatessoil layers — preventingimmediate recompaction

• the back of the wings, togetherwith the shank, finish the job byrolling the soil to incorporatefertilizer and residue

Lift RollTwist

9 10

THE HEART OF AN ecolo-tiger IS THE tiger point.

How does the tiger point work?

“If the plant hits a dry spell in summer,its deep roots can get to moisture.”

Francis Childsgrower of 393 bu/acre corn, speaking about tillage.

Wallaces Farmer, December 1999, pg. 16.

This patented lift, twist and rollaction is NOT found on sweep points!

tiger point GUIDE

11

3. Hydraulic disk level’r distributesthe soil and residue mixture whilethe P/T crumbler ® Fall seed bedfinisher reduces clod size.

2. Lead shanks and main shanksequipped with tiger pointsfracture compaction.

PROPER PRIMARY TILLAGE

8

10 in. standard tiger pointsFracture: 50% – 70%Residue remaining: 70% – 85%

▲

10 in. replaceable tip andwing tiger pointsFracture: 50% – 70%Residue remaining: 70% – 85%

▲

7 in. replaceable tip tiger pointsFracture: 30% – 60%Residue remaining: 70% – 90%

▲

7 in. standard tiger pointsFracture: 30% – 60%Residue remaining: 70% – 90%

▲

8 in. No-till pointsFracture: 25% – 50%Residue remaining: 70% – 95%

▲

Note: Field performance varies basedon soil and operating conditions.

THE WATERMANAGEMENT SOLUTION:

7

How is good tilth created?Proper primary tillage creates good soil tilthby managing crop residue and eliminatingcompaction. This returns the soil to the idealmixture of 40-50% soil, 20-30% water,20-30% air (pore space) and 1-5% organicmatter. Here’s how this is accomplished withan ecolo-tiger® disk ripper.

1. X-disk frame cuts, sizes andincorporates residue.

Residue mixed into the soil:• Meshes with soil aggregates,

enabling water infiltration.

• Builds and separates soil aggregatesto resist crusting and maintainpore space.

• Builds soil organic matter, increasingsoil water-holding capacity.

“The yield [increase] is definitely attributedto better utilization of the water that we

had over the winter, allowing the rootsystem to get down to that water to get

those nutrients.”Richard Wesley

USDA Agricultural Engineer, speaking of the up to15 bu/acre soybean yield increases due to deep tillage.

Maryland Farmer, March 1997, pg. 9.

The freeze-thaw cycle cannot adequately solvecompaction problems, since compacted soil hashad the water squeezed out of it.

Example: The Oregon Trail has not been usedfor over 100 years, yet soil in the wheel trackshas 50% lower water infiltration and 50% lowerair permeability!Sharratt et. alSoil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 62.774-777, 1998

?DidYouKnow

12

Primary tillage, using yield-till systemtools, fractures compaction and creates amore open soil structure (good tilth) forimproved water absorption, infiltration andpercolation. This helps increase yields in wetand dry years. If it’s too wet, good tilththrough primary tillage lets excess waterdrain through. Good tilth also opens up thesoil and increases its water-holding capacity;therefore, in dry years the soil has moremoisture and the roots are free to get it.

PROPER PRIMARY TILLAGE

6

The Case IH yield-till system includes primarytillage tools for every farming practice. Each toolcan be equipped in a variety of ways so you getthe level of residue management, compactionfracturing and seed bed conditions you want.Each one will help you manage water for higheryields.

ecolo-til® 25003–9 shanks85–345 required hp7 ft. 6 in. – 26 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m – 8.08 m)working widths

• Available in a unique No-till tillage configurationwith Case IH No-till shanks and No-till points forvirtually disturbance-free tillage

• Can be equipped with fertilizer attachments to tilland root zone band fertilizer in one pass

▲

THE RIGHT PRIMARYTILLAGE SOLUTION:

13

▲

ecolo-tiger 730C7 shanks (5-shank unit also available)245–340 required hp17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m) working width• Fractures compaction, increasing soil

tilth and water and nutrientabsorption by plants

• Optional rear hitch for P/Tcrumbler seed bed finisher

THE WATERMANAGEMENT SOLUTION:

5

While earthworms do help create porespace in soil, the large pores they createact mostly as drainage pipes. Thus,when rainfall hits compacted soil withearthworm activity, the large pores tendto not store water for plant growth. Inaddition, earthworms’ ability to inhabit thesoil profile is limited by compaction.

?DidYouKnow

▲

FOR YOURFARMING PRACTICE

14

ecolo-tiger 527B5 shanks, 27 in. (69 cm) spacing140–180 required hp11 ft. 3 in. (3.43 m) working width

• Rectangular disk frame

• Available in a unique No-tilltillage configuration withCase IH No-till shanks andNo-till points for virtuallydisturbance-free tillage

Soil with good tilth has moisture throughout andits open, mellow structure allows the roots toabsorb it. Compacted soil can hold very littlemoisture — primarily in the area above thecompaction layer — leaving it vulnerable toquickly drying out. When this happens, the rootswill try to find water deeper in the soil.Unfortunately, a compaction layer will stop themdry. The bottom line? If conditions are optimum,you might get good yields with poor tilth, butyou’ll always do better with good tilth, no matterhow much rainfall you get.

MYTHS AND FACTS

4

▲

P/T crumblerSize Recommendations530C – 15 ft. (4.57 m)730C – 20 ft. (6.10 m)9300 – 25 ft. (7.62 m)MRX690 (5-shank) – 17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)MRX690 (7-shank) – 22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)

• Breaks clods to create a uniform soil surface

• Pushes soil and root crowns into open “holes”

• Levels and firms the soil surface

• Flattens residue to protect soil from erosion

▲

THE RIGHT PRIMARYTILLAGE SOLUTION:

15

MISCONCEPTION:MISCONCEPTION:If we get frequent rains,it doesn’t matter if mysoil is compacted.

MRX6907 shanks (5-shank unit also available)200–400 required hp17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m) working width

• Shallow-concavity blades offer superior soilpenetration

• Parabolic shanks and winged tiger® points shattercompaction to create healthier soil

• Standard-concavity rear leveling blades aggressivelysize clods, roll soil and mix residue

It takes 5,000 gallons of utilized water toproduce a bushel of corn. That means 200bushels of corn require 1,000,000 gallons ofutilized water per acre!

?DidYouKnow

Not necessarily. Ponding is usually a result ofpoorly managed soil. When soil is compacted, itcannot absorb water. Compacted soil is like asponge that is squeezed tight: there is no spacefor air and water. To make matters worse,compacted soil forms an impenetrable layer thatprevents excess water from draining through.The result is ponding.

WATER MANAGEMENT:

3

▲ ecolo-tiger 93009 shanks, 30 in. (76 cm) spacing400–500 required hp22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m) working width

• X-disk frame

• Lead shanks are optional

• Optional rear hitch forP/T crumblerseed bed finisher

FOR YOURFARMING PRACTICE

16

MISCONCEPTION:MISCONCEPTION:Ponding is a result oftoo much rainfall.

Maybe, maybe not. During severe droughts, soilmoisture gets depleted all the way down, deepinto the soil profile. This important moisturereserve must be replenished for plants to thrive,but water cannot get down into the subsoil if yoursoil is compacted. Rainfall on compacted soil onlysoaks down as far as the compaction layer. Therest either runs off or creates ponds, a waste ofprecious resources.

MYTHS AND FACTS

2

The Case IH tiger point improves soil tilth tohelp manage the extremes in rainfall/moistureand compaction. The result is higher yieldseven in the most diverse conditions.

?DidYouKnow

DRYLAND SOYBEANSNo-till

17 bushels per acre(light areas)

DRYLAND SOYBEANSNo-till

17 bushels per acre(light areas)

PIVOT IRRIGATED SOYBEANSNo-till

34 bushels per acre

PIVOT IRRIGATED SOYBEANSNo-till

34 bushels per acre

DRYLAND SOYBEANSTILLED WITH MRD SHANKS

AND 7 in. tiger points43 bushels per acre

(dark strips)

DRYLAND SOYBEANSTILLED WITH MRD SHANKS

AND 7 in. tiger points43 bushels per acre

(dark strips)

August 22, 1996Forrest City, Arkansaset 500

17

MISCONCEPTION:MISCONCEPTION:Good rains will takecare of a drought.

perched waterperched water

compaction layercompaction layer

NOTES

18

You cannot control the amount of rainfall youreceive. But you can control how your plantsutilize it. Proactive water management is thekey to higher yields in dry and wet years.Therefore, understanding how water interactswith soil is essential. Let’s examine a fewcommon water management misconceptions.

Infiltration: water entry intothe soil.

Permeability: ease of watermovement through thesoil.

Percolation: excess water movingdeeper into the soilprofile.

Soil Tilth: partly, a measure of asoil’s ability to absorband hold water.

DEFINITIONS

WATER MANAGEMENT:

1

What every farmershould know about

water management…and how it leads to

higher yields.

yield-till ® system

Find out more about the yield-till system and howto help your plants thrive. Ask your Case IH dealer formore information.

Will This Year be Wet or Dry?

Will This Year be Wet or Dry?

Whichever it is, you’ll maximize your yields with proper primary tillage for

proactive water management.

The Essence ofFarm Profit

CIH3010704

Case IH is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC

©2005 CNH America LLC All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA

www.caseih.com