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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

State of Illinois tillage and energy survey

Book ·
OSTI ID:7220948

Changes in corn and soybean tillage practices have been made since 1970 by 45.5 percent of Illinois farmers. The major changes in tillage practices of these farmers have been more chisel plowing and field cultivating along with wider use of herbicides while amounts of moldboard plowing and crop cultivating have been reduced. Most farmers who have changed practices listed more than one reason for changing. To save time was listed by 69 percent, save fuel by 62 percent, reduce cost by 62 percent, herbicides have become available by 57 percent, and reduce erosion by 52 percent. The major reason expressed by those farmers not changing practices was concern that weed problems would develop. Larger farmers in the State have been more likely to change practices than farmers with 250 acres or less of cropland. Diesel tractors were generally preferred for plowing, field cultivating, herbicide incorporation, and disking. Gasoline tractors were preferred for planting and rotary hoeing. Less than half of the farms under 250 acres of cropland reported that diesel tractors were used.

OSTI ID:
7220948
Report Number(s):
NP-22149
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English