One typical farm in the United States uses "Conservation Tillage" for corn production. The system is described in the following.

Featured farm:
US700IA - Iowa, USA

Conservation Tillage

• Reduced, non upturning tillage system with mulch-seed as an adaption to dryness in early summer and autumn
• Conserving water holding capacity during hot month
• Common application of total herbicide after first stubble breaking passes
• Maintain soil structures and horizons
• Significant crop residue remains on top to protect against erosion and evaporation

Location and Resources

Natural conditions

Temperate continental climate, winter month (nov. - mar.) with frost and vegetative rest (approx. 180 days), uneven rainfall distribution (675 mm), most rainfall in spring and fall

Primary crops

Corn, Soybeans

Structural conditions

Family operated farms, specialized in cash crops. The tendency to higher corn prices probably moves farmers to change from well established soybean-corn-rotation to corn in one-crop systems.