A record percentage of Illinois cropland acres, 49.9 percent, were farmed with conservation tillage last year, according to a statewide survey released last week by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA). IDOA, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service started the soil erosion and crop tillage survey in 1994.
Conservation tillage is good for the environment because it prevents soil erosion and improves water quality, said Illinois Agriculture Director Tom Jennings.
Since 1994, farmers use of conservation tillage has increased from 32 percent up to 49.9 percent of all cropland acres. Conservation tillage leaves at least 30 percent crop residue on the ground after planting.
In addition, farmers have reached tolerable soil loss or T on 85 percent of cropland acres.