ECONOMICS OF REDUCED TILLAGE FALLOW-CROP SYSTEMS IN THE DARK BROWN SOIL ZONE OF ALBERTA

The use of conservation tillage management in fallow cropping systems reduces soil erosion and improves soil quality. The economic benefits of these alternate tillage methods are less certain. This study examin ed the economic returns from reduced tillage methods on fallow using y ield and input data from two experiments at the Agriculture and Agri-F ood Canada Research Centre at Lethbridge, Alberta. One experiment was a longterm study initiated in 1955 with eight treatments, the second w as a 5-yr study with 15 treatments. Results from the 5-yr study indica ted no difference in net returns between conventional and reduced till age fallow systems. In contrast, the long-ten study net returns were h ighest for tilled systems and lowest for herbicide-only systems. The l ong-term study had a build-up of weeds that are difficult to control w ith herbicides alone. The resulting lower average yield and higher her bicide costs of the herbicide-only treatments in the long-term study a ccounted for most of the contrasting results between the two experimen ts. An economic evaluation of tillage practices requires the entire sy stem to be evaluated, not just the tillage component.