Farmer writes: Vary your tractor tyre tracks to help the earthworm

In the past couple of weeks we have been drawing in the round bales of hay through connected fields and then spreading our precious organic FYM on the aftergrass. Not for the first time, I found myself debating with myself over my wheel tracks, their location, their effects and the underlying soil science principles involved.

Left to ourselves, we seem to be like sheep and cows, i.e. at our happiest when following our previous tracks. Without thought, this seems to be the default mode of tractor drivers. But are we on the right track? is this the best path for our soil?

A couple of months ago, I was lucky to attend an ASA outing to the impressive tillage operation in Ballyragget run but by Larry O'Reilly and family. On so many levels, this operation is a real eye opener and learning opportunity for any farmer, tillage or other.

Earthworm count

Unlike most of us, Larry treats his land, both rented and owned, as the three dimensional property that it is. Larry monitors his earthworm count, has tracks on his combine, variable track width on his chaser bin and doesn't allow straw buyers onto his fields unless they have low ground pressure equipment. He prefers to move the bales himself onto hard standings for buyers to collect.

This meticulous attention to the environment below the surface has paid off in making this one of the most profitable and fuel/Carbon efficient farms in the country, if not in Europe.

Soil scientists like to separate the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and compaction is commonly treated as a physical property of the soil and assessed and measured by soil density, etc.

By assessing compaction via a biological parameter - the earthworm count - Larry O'Reilly is recognising the holistic truth that our soil is a dynamic complex living environment that needs more than just a dash of chemical fertilisers to enhance its productivity.

Tyre tracks

But getting back on my own tracks, I am thinking that when soil conditions are dry as they are this summer, that by varying my tracks on each run across a grass field, I will cause less harm to my few earthworms, and other soil life, than I will by sticking to the same tracks and making them harder and harder with each pass.

At other times of the year, or in other soil conditions, I might reach a different conclusion though. We always need to be observing and considering. As the old farmers used to say, the best fertiliser is the farmers foot. I would love to know what other people’s views are on this.