Farm-level profitability analysis of alternative tillage systems on clay soils

Abstract

Crop yields, production costs, and net returns for seven alternative conservation tillage (including five reduced tillage and two no-till) treatments were compared with a conventional tillage (CT) treatment for a corn (Zea mays L.) – soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) rotation for two clay soils in southwestern Ontario. There was no significant difference in corn and soybean yields between the CT and the conservation tillage systems at either location, although actual yields tended to be highest for CT management. Tillage treatments that used a common set of machinery for corn and soybean production generated savings in annual machinery costs. Variable costs were lowest for the reduced-tillage treatments and highest for the two no-till treatments due to higher equipment expenditures and additional herbicide requirements. For a given location, there was often no significant difference in net returns between CT and the conservation tillage treatments, although average net returns for the corn–soybean cropping systems tended to be highest for CT and lowest for no-till. Key words: Net returns analysis, conservation tillage systems, clay soils, corn, soybeans