SWCD does conservation tillage survey

VW independent/submitted information

A conservation tillage transect was recently completed for Van Wert County through the Van Wert Soil & Water Conservation District. A transect survey consists of driving a prescribed route through the county and recording crops and tillage at each half-mile interval. Corn, soybeans, small grain and forages are the crops recorded.

Tillage systems are also recorded for corn and soybeans. The tillage systems noted are: no-till, ridge till and mulch till, with 0-15 percent residue cover and 15-30 percent residue cover.

In summary, the survey indicated that 35 percent of corn and 48 percent of soybeans planted in 2016 were planted using a conservation tillage system. A conservation tillage system is one that leaves 30 percent residue cover on the soil surface after planting. This includes both no-till and mulch till systems.