Regional tillage seminars scheduled

Topics to include carbon trading for Illinois farmers         

[JAN. 26, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture is co-sponsoring a series of five regional tillage seminars to provide farmers the latest research on soil conservation practices that not only protect the environment, but also could potentially earn them extra money.

The series begins Feb. 6 at Klehm Arboretum in Rockford. Other seminars are scheduled Feb. 7 at Celebrations 150 in Peru, Feb. 8 at the Holiday Inn in Urbana, Feb. 9 at the Monroe Extension Office in Waterloo and Feb. 10 at Evergreen Christian Church in Salem.

"These important workshops provide an opportunity for agricultural producers to stay current on the latest technologies in the soil and water conservation arena," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said.

Topics will include carbon trading, a system in which farmers are paid by industries to use conservation tillage practices on their fields. Conservation tillage has been shown to help protect the earth's atmosphere from a buildup of carbon dioxide, a gas that scientists believe contributes to global warming, and industries have been willing to pay for implementation of the practices in order to compensate for their carbon dioxide emissions and meet clean air standards.

Other topics to be discussed include:

• "The 2005 Cropping Year in Review"
• "Impact of Weather on Crop Yields"
• "No-till and Strip-till Update for 2006"
• "Reducing Tillage, Energy and Costs"
• "Nutrient Management and Variable Rate Technology to Improve the Bottom Line"

Each seminar will last from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and conclude with a round-table discussion featuring a panel of farmers and agribusinessmen. Some tillage seminars also will feature exhibits from Illinois agribusinesses.

Registration costs $12 per person. To make reservations, contact the agency that is hosting the seminar in your area. A complete list is provided below. The registration fee includes a lunch and is due one week before the date of the seminar.

All seminars qualify for five continuing education credits in soil and water conservation for certified crop advisers.

In addition to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, sponsors are the University of Illinois Extension, U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, and state soil and water conservation districts.

Illinois tillage seminars

Feb. 6 -- Klehm Arboretum, Rockford. Contact Winnebago County Extension, 4311 W. State, Rockford, Ill., 61102; [phone]

Feb. 7 -- Celebrations 150, Peru. Contact LaSalle County Extension, 1689 N. 31st Road, Suite 2, Ottawa, Ill., 61350; [phone].

Feb. 8 -- Holiday Inn, Urbana. Contact Champaign County Extension, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Suite D, Champaign, Ill., 61821; [phone].

Feb. 9 -- Monroe Extension Office, Waterloo. Contact Monroe County Extension, 901 Illinois Ave., P.O. Box 117, Waterloo, Ill., 62298.

Feb. 10 -- Evergreen Christian Church, Salem. Contact Marion County Extension, 1404 E. Main, Route 150 East, Salem, Ill., 62881; [phone].

[Illinois Department of Agriculture news release]