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While many no-tillers don’t want to come down hard on growers still using excessive tillage, some of our readers maintain the May 1 dust storm tragedy in central Illinois could have been prevented. This 70-car and truck pileup on Interstate 55 took 7 lives and sent another 37 travelers to the hospital.
Had the nearby fields been no-tilled and cover cropped, these growers say the resulting high winds, excessive tillage and unusual weather conditions that are blamed for the tragic dust storm could’ve been avoided.
Satellite Analysis. Paul Overby, a no-tiller from Wolford, N. Dak., was among the farmers criticized, in his words, for being tough on farmers using extensive tillage and its role in the Illinois tragedy.
From his no-till operation 994 miles away, the past National No-Tillage Conference presenter and award-winning no-tiller prepared an extensive analysis via satellite images and soil map data and posted it online.
I came down pretty hard on on excessive tillage causing the loss of seven lives, 37 injured, and millions in lost property and life disruptions. Some farmers didn't like that and said I shouldn't be so hard on fellow farmers or jump to conclusions. So I took a closer look.. pic.twitter.com/cfdMdBjdP7
— Paul Overby (@VerdiPlus) May 7, 2023
Overby determined the wind that day was blowing at 30-40 miles per hour from the northwest. Satellite image history showed extensive fall tillage is done in the region.
His review of the NRCS “fragile soil index” showed these soils are considered “fragile.” This means vegetative cover is critical as uncovered soil is most vulnerable to soil erosion caused by both wind and water.
A look at wind erodibility showed most of the area can lose up to 48 tons of topsoil per acre each year when left unprotected. This compares with the NRCS acceptable soil loss of only 5 tons per acre each year.
Overby’s review of other satellite images indicate few fields in the area are cover cropped.
More No-Till Needed. My guess is that if the Illinois ground had been in continuous no-till with cover crops, there would have been little dust to endanger the community. It’s one more reason more growers should move away from their traditions of intensive tillage and the costly soil erosion losses. Switching to no-till will also increase soil, water and air quality, reduce the loss of organic matter and improve carbon sequestration, and as we just saw, saved lives, too.
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