Besides its many environmental benefits, conservation tillage practices, such as strip-tillage, can yield economic benefits as well. Fuel costs can be reduced as trips across the field are decreased and fertilizer costs can be decreased if fertilizer is banded instead of broadcast. Growers may be hesitant to implement conservation tillage, however, due to higher residue levels which keep the soil cooler, especially in the spring.

Fall strip-tillage, a system where a narrow band roughly 7 to 10 inches wide is cleared in the crop row, addresses concerns over spring soil warm-up while maintaining high residue levels in the field. The University of Minnesota Extension Service has conducted research on farmer's fields over several locations the past two years that indicates strip tillage is a viable option for growers in Minnesota.

To learn more about strip tillage and to compare equipment used in strip tillage, plan to attend the "Strip Tillage Expo: Tillage for Today and Tomorrow," presented by the University of Minnesota Extension Service. This event will be held, rain or shine, at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton on Tuesday, July 25th and at the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca on Thursday, July 27th. The program will run from 9:00 to 3:30 at each location. There is no fee to attend the Expo.

Field demonstrations by major manufacturers of strip-tillage equipment, auto-steer, and fertilizer injectors will run from 9:00 to 11:00. Educational sessions on auto-steer technology and the latest University of Minnesota research on conservation tillage and fertilizer management will run from 10:00 to 2:30. At noon, a farmer's panel of producers currently using strip tillage will discuss their experiences and share tips with attendees. Field demonstrations will be repeated from 1:00 to 3:00. Attendees can visit vendor and informational booths throughout the day and lunch will be available on-site from local vendors.

This is a great opportunity to learn about more about strip tillage and to compare what system might work best for you. With eight manufacturers, this may be the largest field demonstration of strip-tillage ever assembled. Please visit wrc.coafes.umn.edu for more information on the Expo, including a complete agenda of speakers and list of manufacturers that will be present.