Site-Specific Tillage Management and Crop Yield Response

Tillage decision is only one issue farmers have to make during fall. There are many factors that need to be considered in selecting a tillage system for any given field or region within the state. Those factors are soil conditions, which can include, soil slope, soil drainage, top soil depth or the A-horizon depth. Other factors need to be considered, which are equally important. They are management factors, such as, residue cover, type of residue (corn or soybean), soil moisture condition at the time of making the decision, timing of tillage operation, fertilizer management in conjunction with tillage operation, type of residue management equipment, planting and harvesting equipment, compliance with conservation plans, and above all, is the economic return and benefits of selecting any tillage system