When three Ohio State University educators spoke about soil properties and structure at last winter’s National No-Tillage Conference, they asked attendees to help them take a closer look at the many changes occurring with less tillage.

Besides being part of an extraordinary soil properties project, each participating no-tiller will get an in-depth soil sample analysis that can be used to push up yields.

“We want to collect no-till and conventionally tilled soil samples nationwide that we can analyze for biological, chemical and physical properties related to soil quality and carbon sequestration,” says Randall Reeder, an Ohio State ag extension engineer.

Same Soils, Same Crops

The no-tilled and conventionally tilled fields should have the same soil type and need to be adjacent or very close to each other. The crops grown in these fields should be either continuous corn or corn that is grown in some type of a rotation.

The educators will work closely with growers to obtain accurate soil samples. It is likely that they will ask an extension educator or another professional experienced in sampling in your area to help get accurate samples. Exact procedures and materials will be provided so that soil samples can be taken this summer or early fall.

FREE Soil Analysis

After analyzing the soil samples, results will be provided to participating no-tillers free of charge.

“We want to analyze a wide range of no-till fields and will group them as over 45 years; 35 to 45 years; 25 to 35 years; 15 to…