NO-TILL &

COVER

CROP

FARMINGTravis Willford

BACKGROUND

Started

Farming

Arden in 1959

Travis in 1996

Operate over 330 acresRotations

Corn

Soybeans

Hay

TILLAGE

HISTORYoConservation plan 1959o Introduced terraces

oContour farming

oChisel plow 80’s and 90’s

oNo-tilling since 2003

TILLAGE

HISTORYoReasons for no-till farmingoDecreased erosion

oCost reductiono Fuel

o Labor

o Equipment

o *Other Benefits became evident quickly*

BACKGROUNDCover crops2011 - 1st year-

fall

2012 - Corn Planted in SpringSprayed after

planting

2013 - Burn down used prior to planting

Livestock500 head

Hog Finisher

2400 head

building built

in 2012

SOILTypes

Fayette silt loam

Dubuque silt loam

Slope Moderate to severe

Erosion Has virtually stopped in areas since 2003

SOIL Less

Sedimentation in

waterways Maintenance has

been minimal

Soil testing Grid sampling-

process for all fields

Sample every 3 years

Organic matter increase since 2003

Nutrient/manure management plan

MIXTURE & RATEWinter Cereal Rye

55 lbs

Rape Seed4 lbs

140,000 per pound

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

THE SPREAD

OCTOBER 9, 2014

OCTOBER 10, 2014

AREA COVER CROP

FUTURE PLANS FOR AERIAL

SEEDING

October 11, 2014

3 Weeks after Planting