Are increasing fuel and fertilizer costs getting you down? Well, reliable and proven help is on the way. The 2006 East-Central Illinois Tillage Seminar will focus on economic and environmental stewardship associated with adopting a no-till and strip-till farming system. This seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center, Urbana, IL.

The program, featuring numerous state and nationally recognized speakers, runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. It is co-sponsored by the multi-county conservation agencies of University of Illinois Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, NRCS, AISWCD, and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Seed, chemical, machinery dealers, and other agri-businesses will be featured as exhibitors. This Illinois Tillage Seminar may be of special interest to Certified Crop Advisors because they can receive 5 continuing education credits, four in Soil and Water Management and one in Nutrient Management.

Dr. Dale Laatz, University of Illinois Agricultural Economist, will share his latest spread sheets, which provide dramatic comparisons of how Illinois producers can reduce fuel, equipment & production costs by going to no-till and strip-till for corn and soybean production. In addition, Dr. Harold Reetz from the Foundation for Agronomic Research, will present cost saving techniques in his presentation entitled, "Nutrient Management & Variable Rate Technology (VRT) to Improve the Bottom Line".

Joe Bybee from the Illinois Department of Agriculture will showcase the State of Illinois Nutrient Management Program, whereby producers using specific nutrient management practices may be eligible for payments. The USDA-Conservation Security Program will also be highlighted by Brett Roberts a State Agronomist for NRCS. He will explain what practices producers need to implement associated with their soil fertility and nutrient management program, so they will be eligible to receive USDA-CSP payments.

There are two speakers that will address the issues of carbon sequestration and global warming. Ron Burke, the Associate Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will share the latest information on a new Carbon Trading cost-share program, soon to be made available to no-till farmers in Illinois, through the cooperation of the Illinois EPA, the AISWCD, and the IL Department of Agriculture. The second speaker will be Carl Bernacchi with the Illinois State Water Survey. His research studies the physiological responses of crops to pollution and atmospheric change, the long-term potential for no-till agriculture to sequester carbon and the feedbacks between crops and their environment.

The impact of weather on crop yields concerns most producers. Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey will present the impacts of last year's weather on crop yields and current conditions in Illinois. Dr. Jerry Hatfield, Director for the USDA National Soil Tilth Laboratory at Ames, Iowa will present his research which examines the microclimate of farming systems with emphasis on crop water use and water quality.

The seminar also will provide attendees the opportunity to hear field results from producers. First, Jim Kinsella, an internationally-known no-till farmer and researcher, will present his no-till and strip-till production experiences of 20 plus years. Then, the seminar will conclude with a farmer and agribusiness panel presentation on their personal experiences using variable rate technology in their production system.

Pre-registration is necessary for the seminar and the deadline is February 3. A $12 per person fee is being charged to cover room rental and noon luncheon. To register, callChampaign Extension Unit at (217)333-7672.