Below are key no-till takeaways from several of the features found in the January 2026 issue of No-Till Farmer.
Tiling Poorly-Drained Soils Can Boost Yields & Gross Revenue
- Look at studies over the long haul to determine the value of yield bumps due to tile drainage improvements.
- Agronomic practices alone are not likely to make up for an inadequate drainage system.
- Properly spaced tile drainage can also improve soil health and structure and cover crop growth.
Data Crunching, Constant Curiosity Drives Steady No-Till Progress
- Improved planter technologies provide 20-25 bushels of yield gain.
- Cash and accrued balance sheets deliver a more accurate farm view.
- Cover crops and an old Hagie can both help keep waterhemp at bay.
Are Extra Tillage Passes Putting More in the Bank?
- The cost of machinery, stagnant prices and higher inputs could make reducing tillage further a good bet.
- More aggressive tillage passes to solve problems will spike fuel costs and soil loss.
- Strip-till operational costs may seem high but improved technology is helping fertilizer efficiency.
Winter Planning, Analysis Sets the Stage for a Better ’26
- Data crunching needs to be a major part of planning for 2026.
- Consider letting yield results define what management zones are best to establish in fields.
- If drainage is a problem, visit your landlord and propose a cost share solution with a multi-year agreement.
Balance Weed Suppression & Yield Loss by Timing Cereal Rye Termination Right
- Terminate a cereal rye cover crop early in a dry spring to protect yield. Jim Stute’s research data showed a 27% yield loss by delaying termination to anthesis in a dry spring.
- Plant green in a wet spring to manage soil moisture and allow for the flexibility to use cereal rye biomass to achieve your specific soil health and weed suppression goals.
- Consider 10-day and long-range weather forecasts when making termination decisions.
- Plant cereal rye early. Follow the combine with the drill, rather than waiting to seed covers until after harvest.
