Farmers and conservation agency personnel are encouraged to join tillage specialists and equipment company representatives on August 12 for the Midwest Strip-Tillage Expo 08. This year’s Expo will be held at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station located about 20 miles north of Madison. A similar program was held in Minnesota and Iowa in the past two years. The 2007 Iowa program was attended by over 500 visitors. The event is being organized by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension.

 

Strip-tillage is the practice of tilling only the soil zone where the crop will be planted to create a more favorable seedbed condition for crop growth. Research has shown that soil temperatures are warmer and crop emergence and growth is faster under strip-tillage compared to no-till. Strip-tillage is a form of conservation tillage and reduces soil erosion, in addition to reducing fuel and labor expense. Studies have shown yields can be similar to those found with full-width tillage systems such as chisel plowing.

 

The program will include concurrent educational presentations and field demonstrations starting at 9 am and repeated at 1 pm. After lunch a panel of veteran strip-tillers will discuss their experiences and techniques. Field demonstrations will offer farmers a chance to compare features of a variety of strip-tillage equipment and related products, including auto-guidance systems and fertilizer application equipment.  Manufacturer’s representatives will be on hand to answer questions.

 

There is no charge to attend the Expo. Lunch will be available on site for a nominal cost. Certified Crop Advisor CEU’s will be available for the educational presentations.

 

For more information on the field day go to: http://www.soils.wisc.edu/extension or contact Dick Wolkowski, Extension Soil Scientist at rpwolkow@wisc.edu.