Assessing humidity is important
The most important factor to consider is soil moisture. Working in excessively wet conditions is detrimental. To check if the soil is too wet, take a handful and press it. If the soil does not stick together, you can proceed, but if it forms a uniform lump, it is still too wet. Assess the soil moisture at the entire depth of cultivation, not just the top layer. Working with overly wet soil leads to local compaction, which impedes root development and water penetration. Reducing tractor tire pressure can help minimize soil compaction, especially during lighter tasks that do not require significant pulling power. Always select a tractor appropriate for the specific job; avoid using the largest and heaviest tractor for lighter work. If possible, perform tasks without a ballast on the front three-point linkage and use twin tires. Farmers should refrain from tilling soil when it is too wet. This involves waiting for suitable conditions, employing soil conservation practices, and monitoring soil moisture before tilling.

Appropriate cultivation speed
Another factor that can damage the soil is the speed of cultivation. This is less critical in post-harvest cultivation, which requires high speed for intensive mixing of crop residues. However, high speed is not advisable, especially during the final cultivation before sowing. It is important to recognize that high speed can destructively affect the soil structure, leading to its atomization. This is particularly hazardous when cultivating dry soil. If heavy rainfall occurs on excessively atomized soil, it may crust over. Cultivated soil is a mixture of silt, dust, and sand fractions. Silt is the finest, while sand comprises the largest soil particles. The sand fraction provides air channels for the soil. When heavy rain falls on freshly cultivated, atomized soil, the largest particles, i.e., sand, absorb water and become heavy. Gravity causes this heavy sand to move downward, leaving silt and dust in the upper part. Upon drying, a crust will form on the surface.

As many cultivation procedures as necessary, but as few as possible
Another consideration is the number of cultivation operations. A prudent guideline to follow is to cultivate only as necessary, minimizing these operations. This approach ensures the soil remains in optimal condition just before harvest. Reducing the number of cultivation activities minimizes disturbance to the deeper soil layers, preserving the structure established by previous crop roots and earthworm channels. This principle is essential. Additionally, each cultivation aerates the soil, leading to mineralization and loss of soil humus. Ploughing causes the most aeration, while deep cultivation with cultivators causes less. The principle of "as many cultivation operations as necessary, as little as possible" underscores an agricultural approach that balances high yield with soil and natural resource preservation. The goal is sustainable cultivation, maintaining soil health, conserving resources, and achieving high productivity. The key elements are flexibility, education, and leveraging modern tools and technologies.

Crop combinations that minimize the number of passes
To minimize the risk of soil compaction, consider combining multiple treatments in a single pass. This can be achieved by attaching machines to both the front and rear three-point linkages, such as the Rolmako ProCut knife roller at the front and a tillage machine at the rear. Alternatively, a Rolmako subsoiler with a three-point linkage (models U602, U608, U632) can be used to attach a disc harrow, allowing for immediate soil cultivation post-subsoiling. This method also helps reduce evaporation from the loosened soil. Rolmako disc harrows and tillage units, equipped with a three-point linkage, can also connect to grain seed drills (models U659, U684, U693). The VibroSTAR pre-sowing unit and the U684 compact tillage unit can be linked to trailed rollers like Cambridge or ORION. The U436 multifunctional cultivator, when properly configured, can apply fertilizer at two depths in one pass. Similarly, the U693 disc harrow with an applicator can work with a slurry tanker to mix and apply slurry with the soil in a single pass. The appropriate combination of machines varies depending on farm and soil conditions. It is crucial to tailor machine selections to the specific field and crop requirements. Investing in modern technologies and multi-function devices can lead to more efficient and sustainable land cultivation.

Summary
Minimizing the number of passes is crucial for reducing soil compaction and saving time and fuel costs. Utilizing the appropriate combination of tillage implements can help achieve these objectives. Each tillage practice should be assessed for its impact on soil health. This involves adjusting the speed, depth, and type of implement to the specific soil conditions. In many cases, soil conservation practices such as no-till or minimum tillage are more beneficial to soil health than traditional tillage methods. In summary, matching the speed of tillage implements to soil conditions, moisture, and implement type is essential for maintaining soil health, structure, and operational efficiency.