Vertical Tillage: A Systems-Based Approach To Managing Your Soil

In recent decades, “vertical tillage,” or “VT,” has become a common buzzword in the ag equipment industry. Looking at most equipment manufacturers’ tools, they will likely have at least one model with a “VT” decal – a badge of honor claiming superior tillage results in a wide range of field conditions and applications. These products, however, cannot be classified as true vertical tillage tools. Great Plains defines vertical tillage as a system that works the soil vertically to remove or avoid the addition of horizontal, density-change layers. This system maintains a uniform soil profile and prevents compaction, allowing adequate space for maximum root growth and the delivery of nutrients and water throughout the plant, contributing to a higher yield potential.

Today, many people think that vertical tillage tools are synonymous with high-speed disks or adapted disk harrows that may leave a relatively smooth surface finish, however, they are not the same. Typically, these disks leave a fairly smooth surface, but the actual problem appears at the tillage depth. Incomplete cut-out and compaction caused by concave blades can lead to a rough ride for planting equipment. The result is inconsistent planting depth and roots that are unable to penetrate the density layers. While these tools may be practical in certain circumstances, it’s important to recognize the difference between these disks and what Great Plains promotes as the systems-based approach to true vertical tillage.

Great Plains first entered the vertical tillage market with the Turbo-Till® while the market was in its infancy. The Turbo-Till® was later replaced by the Turbo-Max®, a finishing tool that is a critical piece to the vertical tillage puzzle. While these tools do a great job of seedbed preparation, it is recommended that they be used as part of a more holistic, systems-based approach to reach or remedy problems that may exist deeper in the soil layers. The system's approach to vertical tillage encompasses more than just a single tool for residue management and seedbed preparation, where it aims to manage the entire soil profile at multiple depths to create a soil environment where crops can thrive. When incorporated into any farming practice – whether conventional, minimum, or no-till – it is this system that unleashes positive soil returns through reduced compaction, improved water infiltration, strong root development, and overall higher soil productivity.

Great Plains’ systems-based approach to vertical tillage is centered around three critical steps:

1. Eliminate all layers in the soil profile.
2. Maintain the vertical profile.
3. Finish with only true vertical tillage tools.

This Great Plains system uses three strategic and distinct tools: the Inline Sub-Soiler, the Max-Chisel®, and the Turbo-Max®.

Sub-Soiler: The process begins as a bottom-up soil management approach with the Inline Sub-Soiler, which is capable of working at depths up to 16" below the soil’s surface. This process resets the soil profile, shattering yield-robbing compaction layers. No matter the farming practice, resetting the soil profile is critical to a successful crop, particularly in high traffic areas of the field. In general, utilizing deep vertical tillage with the Sub-Soiler is warranted every three to four years on a field – though many producers will work some of their acres each year in rotation. For no-till producers, Great Plains offers specific options with no-till points for low disturbance to the field surface.

Max-Chisel®: In years between sub-soiling, the maintenance component of the vertical tillage systems approach is managing the 8-12" zone of the soil profile. Beginning in this zone and the layers above, this is where the majority of plant root structure is contained. For this zone, Great Plains developed the Max-Chisel® to lift and fracture soil up to 12" below the soil surface. The Max-Chisel® features two rows of Samurai-edge blades to incorporate crop residue and 15"-spaced shanks to remove rutted or compacted areas created by equipment traffic throughout the growing season. 

Turbo-Max®: The third area of managing the soil profile is known as vertical finish. When performed as the final seedbed preparation pass, it is critical to avoid putting density layers in the soil below the planting depth. While many tools claim to be vertical tillage, few follow the design of a true vertical tillage tool. Straight, non-concave blades and the ability to run at a 0° gang angle for the last pass are all needed to achieve a true vertical finish. These design parameters allow the soil to be fractured and lifted, rather than turning and rolling the soil, which can create a density or compaction layer. Additionally, the rolling spike harrow and rear attachment reel featured on the Turbo-Max® are key components to creating a smooth and level soil sub-surface, resulting in optimum planter row unit ride quality and the creation of a proper seedbed. When used in combination with the Sub-Soiler and the Max-Chisel as a complete vertical tillage package, the Turbo-Max® offers greater versatility and can be used in rotation to enhance both conventional or no-till cropping systems.

While managing residue, soil moisture, and compaction within fields are all issues that many operations face, it is important to remember that vertical tillage solutions are built to specifically address complex field challenges. At Great Plains, vertical tillage is more than just an umbrella term for a certain type of tillage tool; rather, it is a holistic, systems-based approach that utilizes a combination of tools to solve soil management challenges across multiple cropping systems and farming practices.

Blake Bergkamp grew up in south central Kansas on a small family farm. Growing up in this area provided Blake with a unique experience in agriculture, as continuous wheat and conventional tillage still dominate many of the acres. Blake attended Kansas State University where he completed a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and an MS degree in Agronomy. During college, Blake gained valuable experience with crop production and physiology at the Kansas State University Agronomy Lab.

In 2018, Blake joined the Great Plains team as a Sales Agronomist. As Sales Agronomist, Blake’s responsibilities include writing agronomic and educational content for customers and producers; designing field tests and compiling data; planning and conducting events and field demonstrations; and working alongside the product development team to ensure positive agronomic outcomes.