Let’s fire up the question of the week. As we turn the page to 2025, we asked, “What do you see as the future of no-till and what will it take to increase adoption?” Let’s see what you said.
“Herbicide-free, pesticide-free, selective min-till, strip-till and no-till seeding into cover crops is the future — working with the biosphere instead of against it. Farming needs to change from dominion, productivity and efficiency to cooperation.”
– DC Johnson, Undisclosed location, Pa.
“There’s a growing debate around whether the reliance on herbicides, pesticides and fungicides might be more harmful to soil biology than occasional tilling. This has made us rethink how we manage our system. If our goal is to build soil life, we need to critically evaluate practices that might harm or disrupt the natural systems designed to feed plants…Removing or reducing inputs that kill or suppress soil life is becoming a key part of this conversation, and it’s shaping how we approach soil management going forward.”
– Martin Caunce, West Lancashire, England
“We farm in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB). Our county has been a leader in conservation for many years. Much time, energy and money has been spent to encourage no-till to no avail. With input costs rising, one would think more farmers would switch to no-till. With a savings of $30-$50 per acre, you’d think more farmers would try it. Looking at the millions upon millions of dollars spent in the WLEB with little success of resolving the problem, I along with other area farmers feel regulation is eventually going to happen. When it does, you’ll see an increase in no-till.”
– Blaine Baker, Clayton, Mich.
“Those that work their ground will simply not be able to compete in the future. Higher yields with lower costs will make healthy soils that come from no-till with cover crops the high profit acres of the future.”
– Ray McCormick, Vincennes, Ind.
What say you? Join the discussion at No-TillFarmer.com. We included a link to sign up for the Email Discussion Group in the article for this episode.
Watch the full version of this episode of Conservation Ag Update.