Vertical Tillage

Vertical tillage generally refers to soil tillage four inches deep or shallower. The term “shallow” indicates the tillage equipment is designed to stir or ridge the soil without inverting the soil. Some soil particles are mixed with surface residue, but the residue is not completely incorporated into the soil. Vertical tillage equipment may use disks, or shanks to disturb the soil. Crop producers use shallow tillage for several reasons, including to: 1) stir the soil surface to encourage drying or warming prior to planting; 2) incorporate surface-applied fertilizers; 3) size crop residue; and 4) facilitate crop residue decomposition.