Tillage System Options

Producers must consider the advantage and disadvantages of a tillage system before changing systems. The most important advantage of conservation tillage systems is significantly less soil erosion due to wind and water. Other advantages include reduced fuel and labor requirements. However, increased reliance may be placed on herbicides with some conservation tillage systems. The herbicide labels do not change the recommended rates based on tillage system, but tillage may not be an option for weed control in some tillage systems. 

This article is used with permission from the author and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and CropWatch publication. The original article can be found at www.cropwatch.unl.edu/tillage/advdisadv.

By Paul J. Jasa, Extension Engineer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln