This page is dedicated to the producer concerned with making their land more productive and operation more efficient.  Surprising to many, this often increases the environmental stability of the land.  Following is general information as well as links to outside pages, spreadsheets, and other decision making tools. Tillage System Estimator - How much is your operation costing you? This spreadsheet was developed to help producers make decisions on their tillage intensity, based on fuel consumption, time, and labor costs.  As you will see, the costs can really add up. 1,000-Acre Farm:  See how much a 50/50 Corn-Soybean farmer could save based on $2/gallon fuel costs. Your Farm:  For the hands-on type.  Type in you corn/soybean operation numbers and fuel costs and see how much you are or could be saving. Microsoft Excel Microsoft Works Spreadsheet To Crop Or Not to Crop? - CRP Is the Question We've tried to ease the decision-making process when it comes to enrolling ground in CRP. The two following spreadsheets either let you compare a poorly-producing site or put in your variables to calculate the payment you would need to justify the program. CRP Versus Low-Yielding Sites: See how CRP stacks up against a poor site; you might be able to raise your bottom line with Quail Buffers or Filter Strips. Interactive Page (Must Have Microsoft Office 2003): Have a pretty good site? See how much CRP would have to pay before you could justify enrollment in the program. Other Decision Making Tools Use these links to check your operations efficiency, change your nutrient management, or just to see "what if?"... USDA-NRCS Energy Consumption Awareness Tillage Tool:  Similar to the above website, this tool can estimate the savings of fewer implement passes across your operation. Estimating Farm Fuel Requirements (no 5.006):  This Colorado State University Extension sheet shows the fuel requirements for specific tillage operations. National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - Farm Energy Calculators:  Tools for estimating fuel and electricity requirements of farming, crop storage, livestock production, etc. Ag Decision Maker:  ISU Extension's array of tools: a valuable resource. Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator:  This ISU Extension page is great for showing your Maximum Return to N (MRTN).  It can help you minimize your nitrogen costs and losses, while ensuring enough of the nutrient to sustain your profitability. Carbon Credits through Iowa Farm Bureau:  Place your application to receive payments for your no-tillage/conservation tillage operation.  One of the new alternatives for our producers. The Conservation Security Program:  Already listed under our Programs page, this could be the future for government payments. Iowa Custom Rate Survey:  Updated yearly, helpful for figuring out what to charge the neighbor for mowing his CRP.   Mills County Contractor's List: available in PDF format