Conservation Tillage
Conservation Tillage is any system that leaves about a third of the
soil covered after planting. This includes no-till / strip-till, ridge-till
and mulch till. Management decisions to consider include: crop rotation,
soil condition, equipment, weed control, nutrient management. Most importantly,
you must consider the BOTTOM LINE. If you properly manage the aforementioned
management decisions, conservation tillage will improve your bottom line.
Best of all, conservation tillage keeps fertilizer nutrients, topsoil,
and synthetic chemicals out of our streams, creeks and lakes. And...ultimately
our water supply.
Do you still question whether or not your profit can still be competitive
with conventional tillage? Well, here are some examples: Yields
are as good, if not better than reduced or intensive tillage systems
when attention is paid to management details. Unless you are utilizing
possible niche markets, conservation tillage is your best option for increasing
the bottom line.
Soil moisture is optimized by improved infiltration and increased organic
matter. Tillage reduces available moisture by about 1/2" per trip
over the field. And with unstable, unpredictable weather patterns, every
drop of H2O counts.
Valuable time is saved. On a 1000 acre farm an additional 100 hours
are needed for every pass (example based on 18' disk and 160 Hp four wheel
drive tractor). Take that time to explore other real food marketing opportunities
in our ever growing, populated world.
Reduces fuel consumption. No-till can reduce fuel use by 3.5 gallons
/ acre compared to intensive tillage.
Reduces machinery wear. Less machinery wear means fewer pieces
need to be replaced. Economists report this amounts to $5 / acre reduction
in costs.
Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District
182 W. 300 N., Suite D
Anderson, IN 46012
765-644-4249 Ext. 3
Fax: 765-640-9029