If you are planting more corn on corn this year, you may want to visit your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office to make sure your resources and your USDA program benefits are protected and in place.

Indications are that most of the increase in corn acres this year will come from land that traditional been in a corn-bean rotation. But many speculate that the ethanol boom will drive up demand for corn for years to come. These speculations lead to discussions ranging from getting additional acreage from land in government retirement programs to the long-term profitability of growing more corn behind corn.

"A key point missing in these discussions," says NRCS State Agronomist Brett Roberts, "is the long-term impact this new market trend and land use changes will have on soil and water resources, especially on Highly Erodible Land.

"Farmers may change to continuous corn or two years of corn followed by soybeans if residue levels and tillage requirements are met for HEL," says Roberts.

Can we increase corn production in Illinois and not sacrifice soil and water resources? Fortunately, the answer is yes, adds Roberts. "For HEL fields, there are options that allow you to modify your operation to include more corn and still remain eligible for USDA benefits."

NRCS offers the following advice to farmers considering corn on corn in 2007.

1. Consider the amount of tillage used to plant corn after corn. For HEL compliance, tillage practices are determined based on the crop rotation already in use or the rotation planned for future use.

2. Use a tillage method that conserves soil; no-till or mulch till. Remember, your objective for soil protection is two-fold: you want to meet HEL compliance requirements for controlling soil loss and you want to get your levels close to "T," the tolerable soil loss level.

3. Use rotations to your advantage. Producers using a corn and soybean rotation on HEL ground can change to a corn-corn-soybean rotation. The three-year rotation must consist of first year corn no-tilled or strip-tilled into soybean stubble, leaving 40% ground cover after planting. Plant the second year of corn using spring mulch tillage that leaves 50% ground cover. Soybeans are then no-tilled, leaving 80% ground cover. For continuous corn, you'd need to use spring mulch tillage, leaving at least 50% ground cover after planting.

Producers who want to deviate from the tillage practices listed for the common alternatives are strongly urged to consult with their local NRCS staff and discuss their operation and other options.

"Producers considering making the switch are already thinking about what corn can do to their bottom line but they also need to be sure the changes they make continue to protect soil and water resources. There is much to be gained in this changing agricultural market," says NRCS State Conservationist Bill Gradle, "but we don't want to lose the strides we've made in conservation and protection of the land. Just remember to keep "conservation" in the equation."