24 Years of Faithful Soil Stewardship

Just Released !

Examining Dairy Soils after 25 Years of Vertical Tillage

Long-time consultant, Jim Martindale, has just released a complete review of 25 years of Vertical Tillage Results.

Visit two very successful farms and talk with 'those in the know'. 

We begin with Arden and Caroline Landis - Kirkwood, PA -

Then on to an Interview with Gary Zimmer Author of - "The Biological Farmer"

And finally we will be talking with Todd Mason and his father, Paul about their nearly 25 year experience with “vertical tillage”.

Recipients of regional conservation awards and third generation dairymen, the Masons’ experiences with vertical tillage represent a rare opportunity. Jim Martindale, will discuss the soil structural changes, Cornell Soil Health Audit results and the engineering of the specific tillage the Masons’ have employed consistently for the duration says, “ I have been privileged to work with many early adopters of vertical tillage technology from many different regions of the US and Canada since 1983 and this is the only farm which has been able to consistently use the original New Zealand aerator tine geometry for anything approaching 25 years. Their results are like no other to be found anywhere in North America.”

Martindale will be showing the unique traits of the root systems and soil eco-system which has evolved through the use of the original tine technology that was registered by the inventor-dairyman, Peter Banin, from New Zealand. When Martindale discovered in 1998 that the unique tine credited to Banin had been discontinued in 1988 by the original licensee on agricultural machines, he set about recreating the original tine. “It took me the same amount of time as it did Peter to design and test the first ones, but by God’s Grace I was able to perfect two new special features of the tine new metallurgy so that it was awarded another patent in 2005. This served to protect the original and introduce features which have prolonged the tine life and durability in rocky soil conditions.”