Strip-till and no-till tillage systems have lower fuel use and lower costs than typical-till and heavy-till systems, according to a University of Illinois Extension report.

“Tillage adds about $9.50 in costs per acre and between one and two gallons of fuel use,” said Gary Schnitkey, a U of I Extension farm financial management specialist, who co-authored the report with colleague Dale Lattz. “The economic advisability of adopting these reduced tillage systems depends on whether yield losses occur or pesticide costs are increased with their adoption.”

Schnitkey said the report, “Costs and Fuel Use for Alternative Tillage Systems,” was prompted by recent increases in fuel and new equipment prices. The full report can be read online.

The report examines two systems that have little tillage and two systems that rely on tillage.