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University-Tested Mower Slashes Inter-Row Weeds
Cornell University is testing a mowing strategy to control weeds in grain crops without the drawbacks of tillage or herbicides.
“We’re focused on the practice of inter-row mowing,” says Matthew Ryan, PhD, Professor of Sustainable Cropping Systems at Cornell. “It’s a novel weed management practice for controlling
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University-Tested Mower Slashes Inter-Row Weeds
Cornell University is testing a mowing strategy to control weeds in grain crops without the drawbacks of tillage or herbicides.
“We’re focused on the practice of inter-row mowing,” says Matthew Ryan, PhD, Professor of Sustainable Cropping Systems at Cornell. “It’s a novel weed management practice for controlling weeds between rows of crops. Unlike herbicides, which are the dominant way that farmers manage weeds, inter-row mowing is a mechanical control practice.”
As Ryan explains, the inter-row mower functions as a rotary mower that cuts a 24-in. swath between 30-in. rows and has an adjustable height. Because the device is front-mounted, there’s no worry about the tires rolling down the weeds and then trying to pick them up.
“It stands out from other mechanical practices by not disturbing the soil,” Ryan says. “In that way, it’s compatible with no-tillage production.”
The Cornell research team is collaborating with Dr. Erin Silva and Dr. Brian Luck at UW-Madison.
“We’ve found inter-row mowing helps reduce weed competition when used early in the season and reduces weed seed production when used later in the season.”
Ryan started working on inter-row mowing after learning that it was used to mow alfalfa between rows of the perennial grain Kernza (intermediate wheatgrass) at the Land Institute in Kansas.
“People have been building inter-row mowers for years in their shops,” Ryan says.
His team is merely building on existing research.
“We’re using an R-Tech IRM-X4 in our experiments. This multi-row, tractor-mounted inter-row mower has a hydraulic motor that spins four swing blades, attached to a central disk, at 1,800 rpm. The individual mower units have narrow top shields that extend outward at the bottom. Cutting height is adjustable, ranging from 2 to 7 in. above the soil surface.”
Ryan’s team began testing the mower during the 2021 growing season. They collaborated with R-Tech, a custom ag equipment manufacturer in Manitoba, to tweak the design for crops planted in 30-in. rows. Even in its early stages, the research has broad implications.
“The practice of inter-mowing is scalable and can be applied to small and larger operations,” Ryan says. “Our unit is 10 ft. wide, but R-Tech makes larger units.”
The mower reduced weeds, and more research is underway to control herbicide-resistant weeds and weeds in organically grown crops, including corn, soybeans and dry beans.
The team is eyeing another inter-row mower. This one’s an autonomous robot.
“We’re also working with a company to explore the use of robots for inter-row mowing,” Ryan says. “Multiple robots can be deployed as a swarm to cover larger acreage. Small-scale farmers can use lawnmowers and mow weeds between crop rows.”
As Ryan is an independent researcher, any mention of specific companies does not constitute an endorsement from him.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Matthew R. Ryan, PhD, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, 1113 Bradfield Hall, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853 (ph 607-255-4964; mryan@cornell.edu).
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