Providing side-by-side management comparisons of conventional, soil health tillage practices
Mavis Fodness | Freelance reporter
On the surface, the corn crop appearance were similar between test plots in the Aukes family’s field located west of Hills.
Under the surface, however, the differences were more noticeable.
Four years ago, Terry Aukes partnered with the University of Minnesota and the Rock County Land Management Office (LMO) to develop a nine-acre plot comparing the use of minimum tillage with cover crops with the more conventional management practices involving more tillage and no surface cover.
The June 9 Soil Health Field Day marked four years since Aukes started the comparison plot. The event was attended by 40 producers and ag industry professionals.
“We want anyone interested in comparing these practices to see the difference in person after several years of establishment,” said LMO technician Lee Tapper. “This is an opportunity to discuss the advantages and disadvantages and challenges to both systems, and to compare real numbers: yields, costs and soil test data.”
Information presented at the field day allowed producers to pick and choose what’s right for their operations.
“Every farm is different and everyone has to make decisions to make their own operations successful,” Tapper said.
In Aukes’ comparison, six acres were planted using the conventional practice of one or more spring tillage passes to remove all vegetation before planting. Three acres were planted first in a cover crop (cereal or winter rye), which was sprayed to kill the cover before or shortly after before planting.
At the same time each year, soil tests were conducted on the nine-acre plot to measure nutrient and moisture levels.
Four years of data showed no significant yield differences between the two methods in a corn-soybean rotation used on the plots.
The difference came in input costs with a $100 per acre advantage credited to the soil health practices due to two less finisher passes.
“Diesel fuel is awfully expensive,” Aukes said. “A $100 per acre right now is a big deal … especially where prices are and our cost as inputs.”
Soil tests revealed increased organic matter that promoted more microbial and earth worm activity leading to less reliance on fertilizers and herbicides to achieve the same yield as with conventional practices that use more of the common inputs.
Aukes began using cover crops on the selected fields in 2011, after beginning a no-till soybean practice in the early 1990s. Eight years ago, out of necessity, the Aukes family added no-till corn to the operation.
He’s found the change to no-till corn practice combined with a use of a cover crop to control white mold. More noticeably, the addition of cover crops assisted to soak up moisture in heavy, wet ground before planting. Cover crops also controlled soil erosion and early weed outbreaks.
“Cover crops will help take the pressure off our herbicide programs,” Aukes said. “We don’t have a lot of tools to combat weeds, so if this can help us keep our tools longer that’s even better.”
Below the soil, cover crops and less tillage increased microbial activity which, in turn, improved water permeability, especially in compacted areas of the field.
Aukes said the more the soil surface is disturbed, the more a “soil block” is created below the tilled areas. This block of harden soil prevents water and nutrients from fully permeating further into the ground, where it can be accessed by maturing crops late in the growing season.
Cover crops has also demonstrated effectiveness in combating today’s weather events, which provide more rainfall over shorter periods of time.
Aukes said cover crops capture the excess water, lessening field runoff, and channels water into the deep root system created by the cover crop growth. Cover crops also lessen the affects of wind erosion in the spring, where the growing vegetation keeps the soil in place before the emerging crop takes over.
In Aukes’ experience, the adoption of one or more soil health practices help solve production problems in specific fields, raising yields. He challenged those attending to consider making a change by completing less tillage and using less inputs to improve long-term soil health for future generations.
“Rather than make large changes, maybe make a couple different changes and implement some of those to start moving in a different direction,” he said. “Change is not easy but it can be done.”
Aukes is a member of the Rock Soil Health Team, a mentor group for individuals interested in implementing various soil health practices. The mentors are available for one-on-one assistance.
The Rock County LMO in Luverne also keeps a list of seed vendors, applicators and sources for rental equipment used to improve soil health.
The Missouri River Watershed Soil Health vendor list is also another resource to mentors and available cost assistance programs.
Strip-Till Expo taking place in Lamberton
Another soil health practice will be examined at an upcoming field day in Lamberton.
The 2026 Strip-Till Expo takes place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center, 23669 120th St., Lamberton.
The expo is for farmers looking for ways to reduce tillage passes, cut input costs and improve soil performance. Attendees can view side-by-side strip-till equipment demonstrations, planter set up for high residue situations and manufacturers showcasing equipment along with insights from University of Minnesota researchers and farmers who have implemented strip-till practices.
Learn more and to register,
contact z.umn.edu/STexpo
On the surface, the corn crop appearance were similar between test plots in the Aukes family’s field located west of Hills.
Under the surface, however, the differences were more noticeable.
Four years ago, Terry Aukes partnered with the University of Minnesota and the Rock County Land Management Office (LMO) to develop a nine-acre plot comparing the use of minimum tillage with cover crops with the more conventional management practices involving more tillage and no surface cover.
The June 9 Soil Health Field Day marked four years since Aukes started the comparison plot. The event was attended by 40 producers and ag industry professionals.
“We want anyone interested in comparing these practices to see the difference in person after several years of establishment,” said LMO technician Lee Tapper. “This is an opportunity to discuss the advantages and disadvantages and challenges to both systems, and to compare real numbers: yields, costs and soil test data.”
Information presented at the field day allowed producers to pick and choose what’s right for their operations.
“Every farm is different and everyone has to make decisions to make their own operations successful,” Tapper said.
In Aukes’ comparison, six acres were planted using the conventional practice of one or more spring tillage passes to remove all vegetation before planting. Three acres were planted first in a cover crop (cereal or winter rye), which was sprayed to kill the cover before or shortly after before planting.
At the same time each year, soil tests were conducted on the nine-acre plot to measure nutrient and moisture levels.
Four years of data showed no significant yield differences between the two methods in a corn-soybean rotation used on the plots.
The difference came in input costs with a $100 per acre advantage credited to the soil health practices due to two less finisher passes.
“Diesel fuel is awfully expensive,” Aukes said. “A $100 per acre right now is a big deal … especially where prices are and our cost as inputs.”
Soil tests revealed increased organic matter that promoted more microbial and earth worm activity leading to less reliance on fertilizers and herbicides to achieve the same yield as with conventional practices that use more of the common inputs.
Aukes began using cover crops on the selected fields in 2011, after beginning a no-till soybean practice in the early 1990s. Eight years ago, out of necessity, the Aukes family added no-till corn to the operation.
He’s found the change to no-till corn practice combined with a use of a cover crop to control white mold. More noticeably, the addition of cover crops assisted to soak up moisture in heavy, wet ground before planting. Cover crops also controlled soil erosion and early weed outbreaks.
“Cover crops will help take the pressure off our herbicide programs,” Aukes said. “We don’t have a lot of tools to combat weeds, so if this can help us keep our tools longer that’s even better.”
Below the soil, cover crops and less tillage increased microbial activity which, in turn, improved water permeability, especially in compacted areas of the field.
Aukes said the more the soil surface is disturbed, the more a “soil block” is created below the tilled areas. This block of harden soil prevents water and nutrients from fully permeating further into the ground, where it can be accessed by maturing crops late in the growing season.
Cover crops has also demonstrated effectiveness in combating today’s weather events, which provide more rainfall over shorter periods of time.
Aukes said cover crops capture the excess water, lessening field runoff, and channels water into the deep root system created by the cover crop growth. Cover crops also lessen the affects of wind erosion in the spring, where the growing vegetation keeps the soil in place before the emerging crop takes over.
In Aukes’ experience, the adoption of one or more soil health practices help solve production problems in specific fields, raising yields. He challenged those attending to consider making a change by completing less tillage and using less inputs to improve long-term soil health for future generations.
“Rather than make large changes, maybe make a couple different changes and implement some of those to start moving in a different direction,” he said. “Change is not easy but it can be done.”
Aukes is a member of the Rock Soil Health Team, a mentor group for individuals interested in implementing various soil health practices. The mentors are available for one-on-one assistance.
The Rock County LMO in Luverne also keeps a list of seed vendors, applicators and sources for rental equipment used to improve soil health.
The Missouri River Watershed Soil Health vendor list is also another resource to mentors and available cost assistance programs.
Strip-Till Expo taking place in Lamberton
Another soil health practice will be examined at an upcoming field day in Lamberton.
The 2026 Strip-Till Expo takes place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center, 23669 120th St., Lamberton.
The expo is for farmers looking for ways to reduce tillage passes, cut input costs and improve soil performance. Attendees can view side-by-side strip-till equipment demonstrations, planter set up for high residue situations and manufacturers showcasing equipment along with insights from University of Minnesota researchers and farmers who have implemented strip-till practices.
Learn more and to register,
contact z.umn.edu/STexpo
