Results from a recent Purdue Univ. 10-year analysis of Corn Belt farm records do not show no-till in a very favorable light. It’s because the study doesn’t reflect the fact that most veteran no-tillers have not seen any drop-off in yields compared to other tillage systems. 

Ten years of Corn Belt farm data (2014-2023) for corn and soybeans grown on cash rented ground was analyzed by Purdue ag economists — who admitted no-till was likely used on poorer quality soils than the two-pass chisel system.

Backing up my argument that there’s no reason for yield loss, data from our 2025 No-Till Farmer Operational Benchmark Survey indicates little difference in yields among tillage systems. The survey’s 2024 average corn yield was around 184 bushels per acre for no-till, conventional and reduced tillage. No-tilled soybeans averaged 56 bushels vs. 49 bushels per acre for both reduced and conventional tillage.

When determining gross income, the Purdue data showed an average corn yield of 156 bushels per acre with no-till. This compared to 188.42 bushels for a two-pass chisel tillage system.

With no-till, their data suggests a gross income of $642.72 and a net return of $35.98 per acre. By comparison, the chisel system had a gross income of $781.94 and a net return of $37.79 per acre. 

Forget Yield Loss

Using the same 188.42-bushel yield as with reduced tillage, no-till’s gross income would increase to $786.94 and net income would jump to $175.20 per acre. 

This represents a dramatic net income increase of $137.79 over the two-pass tillage system. 

Same Story with Soybeans

In the Purdue study, no-till soybean yields were 3.94 bushels per acre lower than with reduced tillage. The data resulted in a gross income of $467.94 and a net return of $65.44 per acre for no-till. By comparison, the chisel system earned a gross income of $510.61 and a net return of $66.65 per acre. 

As was the case with corn, I’d argue that veteran no-tillers don’t expect any drop in soybean yields. Using the same 49.24-bushel yield as with reduced tillage, gross income for no-till would be $510.61 and net income would jump to an amazing $108.11 per acre. 

Experienced no-tillers say there’s no worry about losing corn or soybean yields compared to other tillage options. And I’m sticking with this belief.