No-Till plastic layer

High Residue

I modified the SAMCO plastic laying unit to work in my no-till sweet corn. It is made by SAMCO Agricultural Manufacturing in Limerick, Ireland. I had a unit shipped here and then spent quite a bit of time adapting it to my conditions. I have now used it on 20 acres and it is performing well. The plastic is very thin -6 microns- and is photo degradable. This system allows for earlier planting and a much more consistant emergence and stand. I've been able to harvest sweet corn 1-2 weeks earlier.

Plastic recently slit. Usually the wind will blow most of the plastic off the sweet corn plants in a few days. We will walk the fields to lift off any remaining plastic over the sweet corn.

Plastic was on the tallest corn. Both sides were planted at the same time.

Side view of layer

Plastic is slit when corn is 4-6 leaves or if temperatures are in the 80's