Conservation tillage: Perceived and actual use

Authors

Elbert C. Dickey, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
Paul J. Jasa, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
Bryn J. Dolesh, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lisa A. Brown, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
S. Kay Rockwell, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

1987

Citation

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, November-December 1987, Volume 42, Number 6, pp. 431-434.

Comments

Copyright 1987 Soil Conservation Society of America

Abstract

A mail survey of farmers in Nebraska showed their perceived use of conservation tillage was about 55%. However, using the 30% residue cover criterion that the Conservation Tillage Information Center uses to define conservation tillage, a field survey of seven counties in 1984 showed that actual use of conservation tillage was less than 5%. Fewer than 20% of the producers surveyed had more than 20% residue cover remaining after tillage and planting. The field survey also showed disk tillage systems were used by almost 70% of the producers. The moldboard plow was used by only 15% of the producers, thus creating an impression that conservation tillage had been adopted.