South Dakota Natural Resources Conservation Service releases cropping systems inventory results

Jan 15, 2016

No-till farming appears to grow in popularity

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

According to the 2015 South Dakota Cropping Systems Inventory, no-till agriculture in the Mount Rushmore State is gaining in popularity.

The inventory, which acts as a ‘snapshot in time’ for the cropping systems farmers employ, noticed a few major changes, including:

46 per cent, or 6.75 million acres of South Dakota crop land, predominantly use no-till techniques
A cropping system which leaves more than 30 per cent residue cover on the soil is used on more than 65 per cent of the state’s farmland
17 counties in South Dakota have more than 75 per cent of their land under no-till systems

Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Jeff Zimprich said the information could have profound impacts on farmers who may not be using no-till cropping.

“It shows them that this planting method is gaining a lot of momentum,” he said in an interview with Jody Heemstra on SD Ag Chat. “I think it helps them consider if this would make sense on their farm.”

Zimprich said no-till can help farmers on the financial side as well.

“I think it’s got potential to curb costs, which are very important right now when we look at commodity prices,” he said.

Zimprich also outlined soil health, sustainability and field resilience as other reasons why no-tillage may be an option for farmers in South Dakota.

Agriculture is South Dakota’s premier industry with an economic impact of more than $21 billion annually and employing more than 122,000 people.

Do you currently use no-till on your farm? What are the benefits? If you currently use conventional tilling techniques would you consider switching?

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.