An Economic Analysis of the Nashua Tillage Study: 1978-1987

Abstract

Yields and returns per acre for corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans (Glycine max L.) were evaluated under four alternative tillage systems in northeast Iowa from 1978 to 1987. The four tillage systems were moldboard plow (MB), chisel plow (CP), ridge-till (RT), and no-till (NT). Each tillage system had two rotations; continuous corn (CC) and a corn (RC)-soybean (SB) rotation. The goal of this analysis was to evaluate the perception that the use of conservation tillage lowers economic returns. A secondary goal, made possible by the experimental design, was to determine if adopting conservation tillage necessitates a significant increase in chemical use (...)