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CTIC News Release
Contact: Dan Towery Tel: 765 494-9555
Email: towery@ctic.purdue.edu
Date: November 4, 1998
CONSERVATION TILLAGE REPORT "TROUBLING" FOR U.S. AGRICULTURE
West Lafayette, IN—The use of conservation tillage systems
remains the same as last year. Nationally, approximately 37 percent of crops were planted
with conservation tillage in 1998. This compares to approximately 35 percent in 1993.
Gains in some crops and regions were offset by declines in other crops and regions. These
are just a few of the facts from the 17th National Crop Residue Management
Survey report compiled and released by the Conservation Technology Information Center.
Data were obtained from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices and
conservation districts.
"The survey results are troubling," explains John
Hebblethwaite, executive
director, Conservation Technology Information Center. "The U.S. was a world-wide
leader in the development and use of conservation tillage, particularly no-till. While
some farmers in all regions of the United States are successful at making conservation
tillage systems profitable, other farmers have been slow to adopt this technology."
World-wide, other countries are aggressively increasing the use of conservation
tillage, particularly no-till. According to Hebblethwaite, "In countries like Canada,
Argentina and Brazil the switch to a conservation tillage system enables farmers to
increase hectares farmed. It also reduces fuel and other input costs. This increases their
margin and makes their production more competitive."
U.S. research shows using a conservation tillage system, such as no-till, can save as
much as 225 hours and 1750 gallons of fuel per year on just 500 acres. The fewer trips
also save an estimated $2500 on machinery wear. This enables growers to farm more land and improve
profitability. However, the biggest gain may be in the cumulative affect of increasing
organic matter and improved soils.
"The national data are clearly disappointing," says Dave Schertz, National
Agronomist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. "The report unfortunately
sends the message that U.S. agriculture will have difficulty reaching the national goal of
50 percent of cropped acres by 2002. However, this is not a situation that NRCS can turn
around by itself. It will take the entire agriculture industry working together to
demonstrate how to profitably use high residue systems."
"One of the most important practices farmers can do to help improve the quality of
lakes is preventing soil erosion," explains Bill Jones, President, North American
Lake Management Society and Professor of Limnology, Indiana University. "It
significantly reduces sediment and phosphorous in lake water resulting in cleaner,
healthier lakes."
"Conservation tillage reduces soil erosion by 50 to 90 percent compared to
intensive tillage systems with little or no residue. Since phosphorous bonds tightly to
soil, reducing soil erosion also reduces phosphorous movement. Excess phosphorous in lake
water causes algae to multiply rapidly which often results in algal blooms which deplete
oxygen supplies for fish. So conservation tillage can be considered a fish’s best
friend." reports Lyn Kirschner, Water Quality Specialist, Conservation Technology
Information Center (CTIC).
According to the report, conservation tillage was used on 37 percent of planted acres
(soybeans, corn, wheat and other small grains, sorghum, cotton and other crops). Intensive
tillage systems were used on 36 percent of the nation’s cropland. Reduced tillage use
was 27 percent.
Conservation tillage (no-till/strip-till, ridge-till and mulch-till) systems, involve
leaving all or part of the current year’s crop residue on the soil surface resulting
in 30% or more residue remaining on the surface after planting.
The Conservation Technology Information Center is a non-profit, public-private
partnership that does not get involved with policy issues. A clearinghouse for data and
other information used to encourage environmentally beneficial and economically viable
agricultural management practices. |
