HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE?

Using a side-by-side approach, find out first hand how Reduced Tillage Best Management Practices (BMPs) can boost your bottom line. See the example below.

The Reduced Tillage BMP CHALLENGE provides technical assistance to help you get the best results, and it pays you cash if your yield and income are reduced. You’ll save money, improve stewardship and sleep soundly. This is a great on-farm research opportunity—you can’t lose! Limit: up to 160 acres per farm.

Are You Eligible?

If you farm in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin and grow corn for grain or silage, you are eligible. Sweet corn, popcorn or corn planted for wildlife are not eligible. BMP Challenge not offered in your state? Contact your state representatives and ask them to implement a program.

How Does the NUTRIENT BMP CHALLENGE Work?

Reduced Tillage BMPs are designed to save you money, by providing technical assistance to develop the best reduced tillage practice for your field based on field location and soil type. Joining is easy:

1. Enroll one or more fields—before tilling your fields—by contacting Regina Hirsch at 608-873-8393 or 608 335-7755 (cell) or by email: regina.hirsch@sbcglobal.net.
2. You’ll use your conventional tillage practices on a check strip located by your crop advisor. On the balance of the field, you’ll use the reduced tillage practice and manage the entire field (check strip and balance) exactly the same way. If you don’t have a crop advisor, we can find one for you.
3. Your crop advisor will help you set up tillage equipment and will visit you during the season to assess crop progress. Your advisor will also work with you to identify and help address any tillage-related issues.
4. At harvest, you and your crop advisor will assess yield and contact us if you find a loss. Your payment will be based on yield loss minus reduced tillage savings.

Your income is guaranteed!

You will earn at least as much as using your conventional tillage practices, and in most years you’ll be putting more dollars in your pocket. If you do earn more by taking the CHALLENGE, we will discuss your income increase with you and ask that you contribute 33 percent of your cost-savings, up to a maximum contribution of $6.00 per acre. This contribution ensures that other farmers will be able to experience the CHALLENGE.

The CHALLENGE is backed by a commercial service agreement provided by Agflex, an Iowa corporation. Agflex is not an insurance company and does not sell insurance. The CHALLENGE is not insurance and pays you only for losses due to reduced tillage.

Reduced Tillage BMP CHALLENGE
Example, Corn Grown for Grain