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 examined the economic returns from reduced tillage methods on fallow using yield and input data from two experiments at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre at Lethbridge, Alberta. One experiment was long-term study initiated in 1955 with eight treatments, the second was a 5-yr study with 15 treatments. Results from the 5-yr study indicated no difference in net returns between conventional and reduced tillage fallow systems. In contras, the long-term study net returns were highest for tilled systems and lowest for herbicide-only systems. The long-term study had a build-up of weeds that are difficult to control with herbicides alone. The resulting lower average yield and higher herbicide costs of the herbicide-only treatments in the long-term study accounted for most of the contrasting results between the two experiments. An economic evaluation of tillage practices requires the entire system to be evaluated, not just the tillage component. Key words: Economics, tillage, reduced tillage, conservation practices, weed control