Snow
retention is a variety of techniques aimed to preventing of snow wind
drifting and for keeping of snow of place of field for good crops wintering
and for good moisture accumulation.
At photo: snow plow in Kazakhstan
For what
need the snow retention?
Snow
provides water for the soil. The snow melts and water seeps into the soil,
replenishing the moisture in the soil. This moisture will be used by plants
during the growing season.
Thus,
snowfall in winter can increase yields by increasing moisture reserves in
spring and summer. This is especially important for climates with dry spring
and summer. But a lack of moisture and spring droughts have often occurred
in recent years, even in the cold and forested regions.
Also, the
snow layer insulates and protects winter crops from the cold - feed croos
and grasses, rapeseed, wheat, barley, durum wheat, rye, triticale, peas,
garlic, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries. And in
orchards and berry fields, snow helps to accumulate moisture and increase
yields.
Where is snow retention
commonly used?
Snow retention is commonly used:
in agriculture
to prevent snow
drifts of infrastructures and at roads
for compacting snow
at roads (especially in cold wind climate, forests and mountains where
there is a lot of snow)
for the formation of
ski trails and snow roads for skiers and snowmobiles and other equipment
other purposes...
Snow retention methods are used in countries and
regions where there is a lot of snow in winter:
Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Canada, USA
&
Alaska, Russian Federation,
Ukraine, Kazakhstan, as well as in mountainous areas around of World.
In
agriculture, snow retention is used to accumulate snow in the field, to
soil erosioncontrol, to prevent winter
crops from freezing due to the blowing of snow by the wind, and to
accumulate moisture in the soil.
At photo: snow wheat field in Ukraine
Many
principles of snow retention also apply to the accumulation of rainwater
during winter.
The
accumulation of moisture in the fields in arid climates is especially
important - this makes it possible to significantly increase the yield.
For snow retention, the following
methods are used, as well as their combinations:
compaction of snow, formation of ridges with simultaneous compaction of
snow, etc.
Snow retention, along with such techniques as the creation of forest belts,
as well as
strip-till soil cultivation (leaving high stubble)
and
subsoiling,
are agricultural techniques that allow the accumulation of additional
moisture in the soil due to the retention of snow in the field, and thus
snow retention allows increase yields.
Snow
is the same water, only frozen, so by keeping more snow on the field in
winter, we will contribute to more moisture in our fields in spring and
summer.
In the
next planting of crops, crop plants provide an increase of productivity and
yield as the moisture in the soil will be more.
Snow
retention is especially important now, when the
climate has already changed and already now
it more arid - there is not enough moisture.
Next,
we will consider the features of snow retention in modern conditions and
additional factors that contribute to snow retention.
One of the specific
and not so effective methods of snow retention is the use of snow
plows - a good tractor pulls a special snow plow - snow plows
that forming shafts of snow. Snow retention is usually carried
out at the end of winter, when the snow has already packed.
At photo: snow
plow in Kazakhstan prairie
Why is snow retention
necessary? Principles and rules of snow retention
Snow retention in
agriculture is an activity to accumulate snow in fields and to protect snow
from drifting by winds in winter.
In areas of insufficient
soil moisture by autumn and winter precipitation, snow retention contributes
to the accumulation of moisture in the soil and serves as one of the means
to protect of drought.
In years with dry spring,
snow retention promotes the active emergence of seedlings, since spring
crops are sown in more moist soil.
Under a large layer of
snow, the soil freezes less, and thaws earlier in spring and absorbs water
better, as a result of which the surface runoff of spring melt water
decreases.
With a thicker snow
cover, winter crops, perennial grasses and young
orchards suffer less from severe winter
frosts and better resist the ice crust.
Snow retention is
especially effective in dry years and after dry autumn.
When create of
business plan for snow retention, it is
necessary to take into account the distribution of crops in the crop
rotation fields, autumn soil moisture and the condition of winter crops.
First of all, snow
should be retained on winter crops to protect crops from winter damage and
death, as well as to
soil erosion protect.
At photo: snow
field with wintering wheat in Ukraine
Retention of snow significantly increases the
yield of winter wheat. The accumulation of winter moisture is especially
important if the lower layers of the soil dry out in late summer and autumn
and the roots of winter wheat develop only in the surface, moist soil layer.
Snow retention also contributes to the
accumulation of moisture in subsequent crops of spring crops with roots
deeply penetrating into the soil: sunflower, sugar beet, corn, and others.
Snow retention increases the efficiency of
the applied fertilizers, since fertilizers are applied in the spring to the
soil, which contains more moisture.
Snow retention is based on the fact that
wind-drifted snow is
deposited near various obstacles, for example, near protective forest belts,
straw of sunflower, corn and other tall plants, as well as shields and
fences of brushwood, sheaves of sunflower and corn stalks, placed in the
fields.
In this article, we will look at several snow retention techniques:
use of plows - snow plows
creation of special barriers to accumulate
snow
agrotechnical methods - using
strip-till and using the stubble remaining
in the field
Snow plows
The use of snow plows has both its advantages
and disadvantages and is used mainly in large fields where soil conservation
tillage is not applied with the absence of stubble and in those fields, and
where there are no forest belts. And another cases it not using but it very
interesting.
In agriculture of Kazakhstan and the
Russian Federation, snow plows are still used - in those fieldswhere there are no forest belts. In the photo - snow retention in the
endless prairies of Kazakhstan
Snow plows are
practically not used in agriculture in most countries, but they are still
quite widespread in the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. Although there
has been a significant decrease in their use.
In Canada, Norway, Iceland, Sweden,
Finland, USA, Alaska and in Northern Europe and in mountainous areas,
special machines are used to compact snow, but not in agriculture
- for road preparation, snow removal for recreational purposes, for
caring for ski slopes, cross-country skiing trails and snowmobile trails, as
well as to prevent snow from drifting in certain areas, for example on roads
On large areas and fields in
Kazakhstan, snow retention is carried out using special snow plows, which
are compacted snow. Snow plows that work with
CLAAS
XERION
tractors
At the photo - a machine for snow
retention - snow plow in Kazakhstan. The working bodie of it machine are in
the form of undercut dumps, which are well buried in the snow and form
relatively high snow rolls - ridges of compacted snow
Snow retention on
agricultural fields and along roads can also be carried out by single passes
of bulldozers or a tractor with a single snow plow, after which compacted
snow belts remain.
Snow retention scheme.
A tractor aggregated with a special snow plow moves across the field and
creates shafts from the compacted snow. Shafts made of compacted snow,
contribute to the fact that snow from the field is not blown away by the
wind, but accumulates in the field
In case of snow
retention, the correct creation of snow belts on the fields is of great
importance. On level fields, snow banks are created across the direction of
the prevailing winter winds, and on slopes - across the slope.
Snow shafts are not
blown by the wind, and trapped snow trails are formed near them: 1.5-2.0 m
on the windward side, 1.0-1.5 m on the windward side. Taking this into
account, the shafts must be cut at a distance of 4-5 m between their
centers, and the strips of untouched snow after the passage of the coupling
of snow plows should be 1.4-2.4 m wide.
Snow retention is
usually carried out in the second half of winter, with light frosts in calm
weather with a depth of snow cover of at least 12-15 cm and more. Such
conditions most often in the second half of November - early December.
In some winters, a
single snow retention is not enough to accumulate the required amount of
snow. Then a re-snow retention should be carried out by directing the snow
between the initially swaths.
Moreover, in case of
thawing and subsidence of the rolls, the re-cutting is carried out along the
first track, and if there is a lot of snow, the snow plows are repeated
between the old snow belts, doubling their number.
Higher blocky snow belts
are formed when there is a crust 3-5 cm thick on the surface of the snow
cover. Snow belts formed from snow with blocks from the crust, as well as
from wet melted spring snow, are not drifted by wind. Therefore, if there is
time, after a snowfall, where there is no crust (crust) 3-5 cm thick on the
fields on the snow surface, you can wait a little so that under the
influence of wind and frost a dense crust forms on the snow surface,
contributing to the better formation of a snow belt that is resistant to
drifting.
The most common snow
plows in the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan: СВУ-2,6, CBШ-7, СВШ-10,
СВШ-14 or similar machines.
At the photo - snow plow СВШ-14 is
designed for snow retention on-farm roads cleaning from snow, as well as to
work as part of a snow plow coupling, Russian Federation
At the photo: this snow plow is used in
the Russian Federation. The implement automatically adjusts the operating
parameters as the snow depth changes
Sometimes, in addition to snow plows, especially on slopes and roads,
special machines are used to compact the snow - snow growers.
Graders
and single dozers and plows are also often used, especially to create
protection fences near highways.
In some cases, using
snow plow will not be effective and will be harmful:
strong wind or loose snow - if from the plowed fields, the bulk of
the snow is drifted into ravines by strong winds or there is no
continuous snow cover on the fields
small
8-10 cm snow do not allow create of good snow belts
in
this regard, snow retention by snow plows on plowed and not leveled
fields since autumn is considered ineffective
also
in the case of light snow cover, snow retention by snow plow will not be
economically justified
in
the fields sown by winter crops - as plants can be significantly damaged
very
deep snow
correct planning of the territory - forest belts and bushes, roads
The
possibilities for effective snow retention have expanded significantly with
the introduction of modern
Strip-Till systems in combination with
cover crops, which preserves stubble in the fields. If high stubble is left
in the field, the use of snow plow will not be justified from an economic
point of view.
Plowing without re-leveling of soil,
with a small amount of snow, contributes to
soil erosion, since humus is blown off the
field by a strong wind. On plowed fields that have not been leveled since
autumn, snow retention by snow plows is considered ineffective, since small
8-10 cm snow do not allow making continuous snow rolls. At the photo - a
snow-covered field that was plowed in autumn, Ukraine
There are winters when a
lot of snow accumulates by the end of winter, and even for a powerful
tractor it can be very problematic to drive into the field. Therefore, it is
better to use other methods of snow retention, protection from winter
erosion and moisture accumulation.
But in modern agriculture, snow plows
are practically no used, since this work has a not an economic efficiency,
and there are more effective methods - for example, leaving stubble in the
field using
Strip-Till.
At the photo - wheat stubble left in the field for the winter in Ukraine
The use of plows - snow plows often
requires the use of powerful equipment, and in most cases it is not
effective!
Features of using machinery in
winter
Machinery start in the cold season.
If you prepare the equipment and machines for operation in the winter since
the fall, then usually there are no problems with cold starting in the
winter and the work is performed even at temperatures of -30°C and below.
But of course it is better to carry out winter work when the frost is not
strong.
When snow plows are used on frozen soils, the mass and traction force of the
machine increase, it becomes difficult to control mechanisms and units due
to a decrease in the temperature of condensate in the articulated and
movable joints. Therefore, in severe frost, it is necessary to smoothly
perform working operations in order to avoid destruction of welded seams and
metal structures. It is recommended to frequently clean the undercarriage
from frozen ice and soil so as not to break the tensioning mechanisms,
support and guide rollers.
Advantages of using tracked vehicles.
The use of any tracked vehicle in winter saves money, because allows
technology to work more efficiently. Slip and fuel consumption are
significantly reduced, and tractive effort is increased.
The equipment must be specially
prepared for winter use. Tracked vehicles have many advantages and
significantly reduce costs. Also, this technique can be used on very deep
and loose snow
In the event that it is
not possible to use tracks, increase the grip of the wheels and use tractors
with large wheels, such as the CLAAS Xerion. On wheeled tractors, the tire
pressure should be reduced to a minimum to improve the grip of the tires.
When
using wheeled tractors, it is advisable to use special snow chains to reduce
the level of slip.
Snow fences
Snow fences for snow
retention are made with a height of 1-1.5 m. In the field, shields are
placed in rows at a distance of 15 - 20 m from a row, 5 - 6 pcs. in each
row. Between groups of fences in a row, gaps of 25 - 30 m are left. Groups
of fences of each next row are placed against the gaps between groups of
fences of the previous row.
Special
artificial fences for snow retention. The traditional Ukrainian version is a
rare wicker made of twigs of medium thickness. The modern version is a
special polymer net for snow retention. In the photo - ecological friendly
snow fence in Ukraine
On flat areas, fences
are created across the prevailing winds in winter, and on slopes - across
the largest slope. The distance between the rows of fences should be no more
than 20-35 times the height of the fence. So that the snow is evenly
distributed on the field, it is better to use fences with gaps, rather than
solid ones. Clearances should be 60 - 75% of the working surface of the
fence. It is better to put fences and other obstacles not one by one, but in
groups, 8 - 12 pieces in each group.
Usually, snow fences are
arranged in areas that are subject to strong winds, gaps between forest
belts, areas along roads. Also, such barriers are used to prevent snow drift
to entering houses, farms and other outbuildings
Using the remaining stubble
and strip cultivation of the field
-
Strip-Till
In dry years, fields
with high stubble left in the fall can show a significant increase in yield.
Leaving tall stubble standing in the field winter can increase yields by 17%
by collecting moisture in the soil.
Standing stubble over 30
cm tall can increase water storage tenfold by trapping snow and reducing
soil water evaporation. The taller the stubble (up to a reasonable level),
the more efficiently the water is used and the greater the yield. And high
straw will be protect winter crops from frost more efficiently!
As the snow builds up
and the wind drifting and blows away the snow - the stubble traps the snow
and the stubble will fill with snow.
Many
have probably observed that in severe strong winters, when all winter wheat
or oil rape crops freeze, very often the plants remain alive in those places
where high stubble was left in the field. Therefore, it is very beneficial
to use such tillage systems (Strip-Till
& No-Till
and cover crops), in which stubble remains in the field. Stubble contributes
to snow retention and helps plants survive even during winters when
conventional fields die. Photo - stubble left in field, Ukraine
Even just leaving strips
of high stubble can get a very good effect in dry years.
In humid climates, when
there is no snow in winter, but it rains, stubble and cover crops also
contribute to the accumulation of moisture, prevent winter
soil erosion and nitrogen leaching.
Therefore, sowing cover
crops for these purposes, for example winter rye or mixtures, is very
beneficial not only for field crops, but also in
orchards and vineyards.
Strip-Till
with
leaving high stubble in the field, contributes to snow retention and
moisture accumulation in the soil. In this case, there is no need to use
snow plows
For the accumulation of moisture,
Strip-Farming of various crops - corn, several meters wide, which are placed
across the direction of the winds blowing in winter, is also very effective.
Also, such crops help wild animals survive in winter. In the photo - corn
left in the field, Ukraine
Thus, there are
many effective methods for retaining and accumulating snow in the field,
which significantly increases crop yields, prevents soil erosion and
nitrogen leaching in winter.
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