1 Fine-tune your equipment engines for peak efficiency. Don't run them past normal overhaul schedule; they'll burn additional fuel.

2 Consider dropping conventional tillage operations and adopting no-till for some fields.

3 Eliminate subsoiling where you can.

4 Match your tillage equipment to tractor horsepower.

5 Balance tractor weight for optimum front and rear wheel traction.

6 Shift to a higher gear and throttle back when the engine is not fully loaded.