A Natural View of Conservation

Conservation is nothing new to Tony Turkovich, part-owner and managing partner of Button & Turkovich. He considers conservation a logical and crucial part of successfully running a business. “Conservation, particularly in areas of irrigation and tillage, is simply part of the whole concept of being efficient – both economically and in terms of utilization of resources,” says Mr. Turkovich.

The Button & Turkovich crop production is varied and includes processing tomatoes, wheat, corn, alfalfa, sunflower, prunes, vine seed, onion seed, and oranges. Because of the diversity of crops and his own willingness and interest, Mr. Turkovich is often able to experiment with new farming and conservation techniques. “If we were doing the same thing year after year,” he explains, “I probably wouldn’t be as enthusiastic about an agricultural occupation. The changes and challenges keep it interesting.”

For nearly 20 years now, the Button & Turkovich ranch has practiced low till and more recently, no till, on many of its fields in an effort to save costs without hurting yield. Mr. Turkovich explains that the low or no till practice came about for many reasons, including financial. Reducing the number of passes over a field saves on tractor and equipment time, diesel fuel, and labor. It also helps reduce contributions to air pollution. As new equipment and techniques developed, Mr. Turkovich experimented to find out what worked for their farm and what didn’t. Button & Turkovich also work with UC Davis on various projects in continued efforts to achieve more efficient farming using conservation methods.

One such project currently underway will help determine whether carbon sequestration is a benefit of no or low tillage. Mr. Turkovich hopes for results soon.

Drip irrigation is another conservation method that Button & Turkovich has worked with for nearly 20 years. Mr. Turkovich explains that it provides a more efficient and uniform water application and generally an increased yield. Like many aspects of farming, there are tradeoffs according to Mr. Turkovich. “Drip irrigation generally increases yields,” he says, “but until recently hasn’t saved on labor costs.” Although this method uses less water it may be at a higher cost, as energy costs increase to pressure the systems, he explains. Mr. Turkovich hopes that with newer systems and materials, labor costs will be reduced to make drip irrigation more cost-effective. He has been monitoring such factors for nearly three years and is hopeful that results will soon show that their business can save money using their newest drip irrigation system.

Mr. Turkovich also adds that drip irrigation offers different options for tillage as well. “We don’t have to have the furrow cleaned out for running irrigation water, for example, And,” he adds, “with the Regional Water Quality Control issues, it’s a benefit that there’s no runoff or irrigation discharge.”

Mr. Turkovich is also working on some projects with the Yolo County Resource Conservation District to create hedgerows along a half-mile-long stretch of sloughbank near County Road 96. Button & Turkovich is also involved in another tree and grass planting project of its own along Chickahominy Slough. Mr. Turkovich enjoys getting involved in this kind of work and appreciates seeing the native habitat and wildlife, especially the good wildlife that don’t eat their crops. He has seen pheasants, wild turkeys, hawks, and sometimes golden eagles. He has also added owl and bat boxes to the property. Mr. Turkovich admits, however, that it’s sometimes difficult to keep up with the conservation work, particularly in the busy farming season, given the time and effort it requires.

Mr. Turkovich also uses integrated pest management on his property. He and his staff scout the fields and don’t apply materials unless they absolutely have to. Although it takes much more time than scheduled spraying, using the least amount and lowest toxicity of chemicals necessary and doing the extra work required to make that happen has always been part of Mr. Turkovich’s philosophy. In addition to staff monitoring the fields, he uses a Pest Control Advisor. “The systems in place now require much more management time,” Mr. Turkovich explains, “but we do these things now because it’s worth it.”

The Button & Turkovich property also includes a few tailwater ponds that are currently being used as holding and sediment ponds. Button & Turkovich is working on future plans and waiting to see what the Regional Water Quality Control Board’s regulations will be so that they can put in a system that will be approved and will best suit their needs as well.

When thinking about the future, Mr. Turkovich anticipates evolving farm practices. Although he doesn’t know what specific conservation techniques he might incorporate next, he knows that he will continue the trend to strive toward greater efficiently while disturbing nature as little as possible. Such practices are simply part of smart farming and good business according to Mr. Turkovich.

Article by Rebecca Bresnick Holmes for the Yolo County RCD "Conservation Quarterly", Volume 8, Issue 2, Summer 2004.