Conservation tillage methods and long-run farm income: Implications for soil erosion control policies

The level of price supports, cost-sharing, and soil loss taxes that would equalize farm income under no-till and conventional tillage practices were investigated. The yield-depressing impacts of topsoil erosion and the yield-enhancing impacts of technical progress were considered in the 50-year analysis. Results showed that the shallower the topsoil depth and/or the longer a farmer's planning horizon the lower the level of the policy instruments necessary to achieve erosion control goals. Research leading to long-run improvement in the economics of no-till coupled with erosion control policies in the short term is advocated.