Conservation Tillage A Valuable Tool Against Drought Conditions

Many producers have shifted from conventional tillage to more economical and environmental conservation tillage. As drought heats up in many crop-producing states, farming practices like conservation tillage will be critical components for sustainable operations. But what do the different types of tillage actually mean?

Here’s a breakdown:

• Intensive tillage: leaves less than 15% crop residue on fields.
• Reduced tillage: leave between 15% and 30% of crop residue.
• Conservation tillage: aims to leave at least 30% of crop residue on fields.
• No-till: leaves soil undisturbed, leaving all residue on the soil surface.

Read more on tillage strategies, USDA data on current strategies employed across the country and finding the right tillage for your fields for both profitability and soil health.