- Needs plowing - the only state that has any impact on yield and then it only shows up if periodic plowing is turned on AND the player plants a crop that requires plowing
- Plowed - removes "needs plowing" and prevents planting unless the seeder also cultivates.
- Cultivated - allows planting to occur
My proposal
Changes in field states and mechanics:
- Needs plowing - if turned on, regardless of crop, the field needs to be "plowed" every 3 harvests. The represents the compaction built up in the field.
- All crops produce chaff. The quantity of chaff should be lowered and the price of fertilizer needs to come up.
- Root crops and corn do not affect "needs plowing"
- Plows - removes "needs plowing" and also prevents weeds for the next growth to harvest cycle. Sets the field to plowed state. Trade speed for 1 herbicide/weeder pass. Can create new fields
- Subsoilers - removes "needs plowing" and doubles the time to the next "needs plowing" (every 6 harvest cycles based on above). Subsoilers also do not change the field state, only remove the "needs plowing" flag. Trade speed for only having to do it half as often.
- Primary Tillage (Chisel plows & Rippers)- removes "needs plowing" and sets the field state to plowed. Pure speed choice. Can create new fields.
- Secondary Tillage (Cultivators & Harrows) - changes state from anything to cultivated; if chaff was left on the field, it gains 1 level of fertilization. Trade straw for fertilizer.
- Discs - discs should either be put in with primary or secondary tillage based on their intended purpose.
- Seeders and planters that cultivate do not give the fertilization bonus that secondary tillage equipment gives.