Conservation Tillage

Conservation Tillage

	A Checklist for U.S. Farmers
To obtain a printed copy of this booklet for $5.00, order by mailing CTIC!

Foreword
From curiosity to choice and beyond	ii
Introduction
Why this booklet?	1
Benefits of high-residue farming
Soil quality and long-term productivity	2
Wildlife and water quality	3
Benefits list	4
Tillage terminology
What we can learn	5
Understanding soils and their adaptability
Will conservation tillage work on your soils?	6
Rules-of-thumb	7
Estimating crop residue cover
A key fundamental	8
Managing crop residue
Start at harvest with combine adjustments	9
Combine attachments / Residue decomposition	10
Seedbed preparation factors for residue	11
A guesstimate to go on	12
Planters and drills	13
Coulters and fertilizer attachments	14
Integrated pest management
Effective and economical	15
Weed management
Seven-point management / Weed shifts	16
Weed control strategies and traditional tools	17
Herbicide programs	18
Perennial weed control / Reduced rates	19
Insect management
Common pests	20
Possible insect population changes (table)	21
Disease management
Factors / Guidelines by crop	22
Factors / Guidelines by crop (continued)	23
Factors / Guidelines by crop (concluded)	24
Nutrient management
Fundamentals for conservation tillage	25
Fall strip-till: Deep banding of nutrients in the fall	26
Other tips for success
Manure management / Controlling crop residue	27
Attracting earthworms	28
Regional considerations
Northeast and Appalachia	29
North Central	30
Southeast	31
Northern and Southern Great Plains	32
Northwest	33
Additional information
Information sources and resources	34
Regional guides and CRM Partners	35

Back to the top...