The tillage plots have been in place for twenty years. I do Extension programs on soil management, especially tillage and soil compaction. The objective is erosion control and better profitability. I measure physical properties of soil. Three plot areas ranging from flat to rolling in Indiana.
All plots rely on natural rainfall.
I also teach a Contemporary Issues in Agriculture course. Major issues facing agriculture are studied, and interrelationships among social, scientific, environmental and ethical viewpoints of these areas are emphasized. Through stockpiling and grazing management we try to maximize the use of cows as our primary harvesters and manure spreaders. On the crop side, we use mulch tillage, ridge tillage and are presently no till. The main reason we went no till is that the timing of cultivation coincides with the management of spring-seasonal dairying.