An Ohio State University machinery management class calculates that an average Ohio farm saves $10-20/acre using no-till compared to conventional tillage.
Randall Reeder, an Ohio State University Extension agricultural engineer and conservation tillage specialist, says that using custom rates enables farmers to quickly calculate the cost difference between no-till and intensive tillage practices based on what they do on the farm to grow corn and soybeans.
Reeder says that farmers can realize machinery cost savings with no-till based on equipment 舒 eliminating fall plowing and spring tillage typically eliminates the need for the largest tractor on the farm. Depreciation, interest, fuel, labor and other costs can be calculated, but custom rates can give a quick, reasonable estimate of the potential savings.