An analysis of 11 years of in-depth data shows no-till and cover crops are a good choice for Corn Belt soybean and corn growers.

Sponsored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association, their Precision Conservation Management program has demonstrated that a two-pass tillage system ss never the most profitable option and that less tillage has consistently led  to lower costs and higher returns. With today’s low commodity prices, high-cost inputs and staggering diesel prices, no-till and reduced tillage stand out as winners among a half dozen tillage systems.

The program offers field-by-field level analysis and in-person technical assistance to help growers better understand the financial and environmental outcomes of their management decisions. 

The program’s mission is that farmers should not be forced to choose between conservation and profitably.

No-Till Soybeans a Winner

Among 8,380 soybean fields, 53% were no-tilled, 4% were strip-tilled,18% had 1-pass light tillage, 6% had two-pass light tillage, 14% had two-pass moderate and 5% had two or more tillage trips.

With no-tilled soybeans, power costs averaged $82 per acre while other systems were as high as $122. Non-land costs with no-till at $310 per acre were as much as $32 less than with the other tillage systems. This led to an operator and land return of $423 per acre, only $19 per acre less than with the one-pass moderate tillage system.

Strip-till soybeans had power costs of $105 per acre, compared to as much as $112 for the more extensive tillage systems. However, returns for operator income and land expense with strip-till soybeans averaged $409 per acre, the lowest of the six tillage systems. 

Less Corn, Good Profit

Among 9,554 corn fields, 20% were no-tilled, 28% were strip-tilled, 29% had 1-pass light tillage, 14% had two-pass light tillage, 8% had two-pass moderate and only 1% had two or more than two tillage trips.

No-till corn had power costs of $106 per acre and non-land costs of $605 per acre. Comparing the six tillage options, no-till corn yields were the lowest at 223 bushels per acre versus a high of 232 bushels per acre with the two-pass tillage system. However, no-till’s operator and land return was $346 per acre, which was only surpassed by the one-pass light tillage system.

With strip-till corn, power costs averaged $129 per acre while non-land costs averaged $649 per acre. This led to an operator and land return of $318, which was the lowest among the six tillage systems by as much as $30 per acre. 

The 11-year study also looked at nitrogen management strategies. In-season nitrogen applications with no fall applications were used in 60% of the most profitable fields. However, there was often an advantage with fall-applied nitrogen since anhydrous ammonia is still the most affordable nitrogen source. 

Incentives Key with Covers

The study included 917 fields with overwintering covers, 433 fields with winter termination and 8,206 fields where no cover crops were seeded.

Growers who take advantage of incentives can make cover crops profitable while enjoying the long-term benefits of soil health and water quality. Growers felt losing a couple of bushels is still well worth the investment in long-term land productivity. 

The analysis showed seeding spring-terminated cover crops such as cereal rye are the most popular choice ahead of planting soybeans. Winter terminated species, like oats and radishes, performed slightly better ahead of corn.

Operator and land returns with corn ranged from $280-$330 per acre with overwintering covers and $294-$344 with winter terminated covers. Fields where no cover crops were seeded had an operator and land return of $341 per acre.

Operator and land returns with soybeans ranged from $280-$330 with overwintering covers and $383-$443 per acre with winter terminated covers. The operator and land return was $347 in fields where cover crops were not seeded.

Less Tillage Offsets Higher Costs

Facing increasing costs, 52% of growers indicate they are likely to reduce tillage over the next few years. Among growers who are not already seeding covers on their entire acreage. 63%  plan to expand their cover cropped acres.

Consistent with previous years, one-pass light tillage was again he most represented practice with corn while no-till was the winner in soybean fields.

However, strip-till is gaining ground, especially with corn. Strip-tillers who  keep equipment and direct costs low are seeing a positive return. The study also indicates growers who try strip-till tend to stick with it.