National No-Tillage Conference returning to Iowa amid conservation

The 15th annual National No-Tillage Conference returns to Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 10 through 13, for the first time since 2004. The NNTC, one of the largest conferences of its kind with approximately 700 no-till farmers and university researchers gathering for four days of presentations and discussions, features the theme "Fueling The No-Till Revolution."

The information and advice provided during the conference will further stoke a surge in no-tilling that became evident during 2006, when, for example, farmers in Illinois for the first time planted more crops in no-till fields than in conventionally tilled fields. Anecdotal evidence from across the country indicates that many growers turned to no-tilling this year in the face of skyrocketing fuel and fertilizer costs, a shortage of water, and concern for their land and the environment.

In no-till farming, crop stubble is left on the field after harvest and a new crop is planted into the residue the following spring with minimal disturbance to the soil. The stubble protects the soil from erosion by wind and rain while conserving soil moisture that would otherwise be lost to evaporation. The degrading stubble also replenishes the ground with nutrients and organic matter.

Because no-till farmers do not plow or do excessive tillage, they save money on fuel and reduce air pollution by eliminating multiple trips across their fields. The federal government actively encourages no-tilling as a way to capture carbon in the soil rather than having released into the atmosphere during plowing.

The National No-Tillage Conference, held in Cincinnati and St. Louis the past two years, returns to Des Moines with a slate of 47 speakers and presenters, including some of the most widely known no-till experts and leading-edge proponents.

In addition to a group of highly successful, long-term no-tillers, other featured presenters at this year's conference will include:

--Dwayne Beck, a North Dakota State University agronomist and the manager of the Dakota Lakes Research Farm at Pierre, S.D.

--Jim Leverich, a Sparta, Wis., no-tiller and on-farm research coordinator for the University of Wisconsin.

--Dan Towery, an Indiana consultant and a former overseer of the national no-tilling scene for Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Conservation Information Technology Center.

--Tracy Blackmer, director of research for the Iowa Soybean Association.

--Ian Heep, a weed scientist with the International Survey of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds in Corvallis, Ore.

--Paul Jasa, an agricultural engineer at the University of Nebraska.

--Elwynn Taylor, a climatologist at Iowa State University.

--Marion Calmer, an Alpha, Ill., no-tiller, researcher and corn head manufacturer.

Affirming the NNTC's focus on education, state regulatory agencies allowed custom applicators to earn more than 20 hours of continuing education credits for participating in previous conferences. Approval for a similar number of credits is expected for the upcoming NNTC.

Despite its intense schedule, the NNTC keeps attendees moving and engaged in various educational formats, including:

--No-Till General Sessions: Ten large gatherings will feature highly respected no-tillers, researchers and educators presenting the latest ideas for more cost-effective no-tilling. Presented for all conference attendees, these sessions will also include panel discussions about the most critical issues that could help no-tillers function more profitably in 2006.

--No-Till Classrooms: A dozen in-depth "no-till classrooms" will zero in on critical no-tilling challenges being faced today and explore solutions that make sense in today's farming economy. Attendees will select three sessions to hear the latest thinking on timely no-till topics from outstanding farmers or researchers with plenty of practical experience.

--No-Till Roundtables: Choosing from among the topics for 60 no-till roundtable discussions, attendees will select four face-to-face, 60-minute sessions with other attendees facing the same issues. These interactive roundtables, in which everyone is welcome to contribute ideas on a specific topic, deliver highly practical information from one no-tiller to another. Many growers have called these sessions their most valuable learning experiences at past conferences.

NNTC registration is $227, with additional registrations from an individual farm or family available for $177 each. For a copy of the 12-page NNTC program, contact No-Till Farmer at 800-645-8455 (U.S. or Canada only) or 262-782-4480, or via e-mail at info@lesspub.com, or visit www.no-tillfarmer.com.

Date: 12/21/06

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