Alternative Tillage Systems Can Lower Fuel Costs, NCGA Notes (5-2-06)

The University of Illinois Extension office recently released a report that suggests no-till and strip-till systems use less fuel and have lower associated costs than typical-till and deep-till systems, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) notes.

University of Illinois Extension farm financial management specialists Gary Schnitkey and Dale Lattz wrote the report “Costs and Fuel Use for Alternative Tillage Systems” because of the recent spike in input costs for farmers.

The authors indicated that no-till and strip-till systems use approximately 2.4 gallons of fuel per acre. Fuel use for typical tillage is about 3.7 gallons per acre. Deep till uses 4 gallons of fuel per acre. If diesel fuel is priced at $2.50 per gallon, typical till will cost $3.25 higher per acre and deep till will cost $4 higher per acre than no till and strip till.

“The economic advisability of adopting these reduced tillage systems depends on whether yield losses occur or pesticide costs are increased with their adoption,” said Schnitkey.

NCGA Production and Stewardship Chairman Bill Chase said the study is one more piece of information that can help farmers with their operations.

“This study adds to the list of ways that can help farmers trim costs and increase profitability and sustainability,” said Chase. “

Schnitkey added that farmers may be able to cut back in other areas to save money.

“Tillage systems can have impacts on fuel use, with systems that use less tillage having less fuel use,” Schnitkey said. “However, fuel use for tillage represents only a portion of fuel use on farms. Reducing fuel use in other areas may have more impact on total farm fuel use that tillage choice.”

The report is available here.