Most farmers who’ve been no-tilling have likely already seen the benefits to their farm’s bottom line in terms of reduced fuel, labor and equipment costs. 

But some growers may still be utilizing some type of tillage practice for a variety of reasons, such as managing residue, optimizing field conditions ahead of planting, incorporating cover crops, and killing stubborn weeds among them. The growth of strip-till and high-speed, low-disturbance vertical tillage implements has also created more options.

But when are extra tillage passes worth the time and expense, and how do conservation practices compare? University of Illinois ag economist Gary Schnitkey and Laura Gentry, water quality specialist with the Illinois Corn Growers Assn., shared the results of a data-driven study that dove into the economics of tillage practices over the last decade. 

The study used data from the ICGA’s Precision Conservation Management program. They analyzed no-till, strip-till and multi-pass systems, machinery and input costs, commodity prices, soil productivity ratings, and soil loss and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here’s what they found. 

Breaking it Down

PCM collects data from farmers participating in the program for every field pass for on tillage, fertilizer and chemical application, harvesting and planting. A cost is assigned to each category based on…