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ELDORA, Iowa (August 29, 2023) – North-central Iowa farmers now have access to a new soil compaction measurement and mapping service that will improve tillage efficiency.

Josh Jeske, age 24 and founder of Terraform Tillage of Eldora, says the new service will help focus tillage to field areas that need it. This will improve yields, reduce costs and enhance sustainability, he says.

“Growers know soil compaction isn’t uniform across a field,” says Jeske. “Our service provides detailed maps of compaction at different soil depths, as well as precise tillage recommendations.”

Jeske founded Terraform Tillage in 2020 while participating in the Iowa State CYstarters entrepreneurial program. His patent-pending SmartProbe technology makes traditional soil penetrometer mapping more efficient and effective.

(Caption) Josh Jeske, 24, founded Terraform Tillage as a student at Iowa State. His patent-pending technology makes soil compaction mapping more efficient, leading to more precise tillage recommendations for farmers.

Reduced Costs, Improved Yields

Jeske says that during pilot tests with the service, farmers were able to reduce sub-surface tillage up to 90 percent. “Our value comes from reducing tillage in field areas that don’t need it – and focusing tillage on areas that do,” Jeske says. “That’s better for the grower and the environment.”

Al Rosendahl, an agricultural banker in Kesley who also farms near Decorah, used the Terraform Tillage service in June. “The maps and tillage recommendations were clear – and very helpful in identifying areas to focus our subsoiling,” Rosendahl says. “It will make our tillage more efficient this fall and represent a bottom-line return for our operation.

To learn more or get a quote for the Terraform Tillage service, visit www.terraformtillage.com.