The latest available data for the United States shows about 35-40% of cropland is no till, but in Argentina it’s 80% and growing.
The Argentinean No Till Farmers Association – Aapresid – was created in 1989 with the goal of helping farmers in the country adopt no-tillage practices on their farming operations and Martin Descalzo Souto with the organization says it caught on quickly for several reasons.
“It was a very important saving of fuel so it was economically important for the farmer, and they also have an important saving of water,” he said during a tour last week conducted as part of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) 2013 Congress in Argentina. Souto adds there are some areas of the country that can only be planted without tillage.
Aapresid is now taking no-till to the next level by providing a certification program for farmers who keep records of their practices and use crop rotation to reduce chemical use and improve soil. “We are looking at it not just as a practice but as a process,” said Souto.[wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/ifaj/ifaj13-no-till.mp3″ text=”Interview with Martin Descalzo Souto, Argentinean No Till Farmers Association”]