No-Till Farming 101

New to no-till? Gather more about the basic principles of no-till systems and how to overcome the initial challenges to successfully convert to the practice. You'll find stories of successful strip-tillers and their operations. Read how they overcame their challenges.

 

Feeling overwhelmed? Start with these information-packed articles hand-picked by our editors:

  • Focus on Biology for Better Soil Health
    For farmers aiming for sustainable and profitable crop production, optimizing soil health and function is the ultimate endgame.
  • What You Should Know About No-Till Planters
    For no-tillers, the planter is the most crucial piece of equipment on their farm. This article will take you through the basic components of a no-till planter and provide you with tips for no-till planter maintenance from experienced pros in the industry.
  • Digging Into the Principles of Regenerative Ag
    Based on the principles of building healthy soil, regenerative ag aims to not only sustain farm productivity but to actually work with nature to regenerate the soil, increase biodiversity and enhance the farming ecosystem.

ARTICLES

No-Tiller Invests in Conservation, Diversifying Agriculture Industry

Owner of Arkansas century farm connects underserved farmers, communities to conservation
After a harrowing series of maneuvers needed to turn a coach bus down a narrow gravel road with 4-foot-deep ditches on either side, attendees on the Conservation Technology Information Center’s 2024 Conservation in Action Tour arrived at Ellis Bell’s century farm.
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Video of the Week: Editor Frank Lessiter’s Newest Book Arrives

Our entire staff was on hand as the No-Till Farmer editor opened the first box of his brand-new book, “Frankly Speaking: A Non-Whitewashed ‘First-Hand’ Account of No-Till Farming’s Rise Over 50-Plus Years.” It features 683 of Frank’s personal columns and opinions — as they occurred in real-time dating back to 1972. The only editor of No-Till Farmer since its first edition, Frank’s front-row seat spans more than half a century, during which he witnessed no-till acres grow from 3.3 million acres to 110 million acres today.
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Going Cold Turkey with No-Till

One of the highlights of the conference was the Strip-Till Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which featured Northfield, Minn., strip-tiller David Legvold, Univ. of Minnesota Extension educator Jodi DeJong-Hughes and AGuru Machinery founder Bill Preller. During his acceptance speech, Preller reflected on his no-till origin story and the man who helped him get here.
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IMAGE GALLERIES

No-Tillage Agriculture Part II: A Legacy Born in Kentucky

No-Tillage Agriculture Part II: A Legacy Born in Kentucky

Scenes from the Palouse

Back in 2010, No-Till Farmer editor Frank Lessiter and his son, Mike, traveled to the Palouse area of eastern Washington to visit John Aeschliman, who’s been successfully no-tilling in the region for more than 40 years. Named one of the 25 No-Till Living Legends, no-till has allowed Aeschliman to successfully farm in an area that receives as little as 12 inches annual moisture and has slopes as steep as 60%.

Click on the articles below to learn more about Aeschliman’s operation.

No-Till Works Under Tough Conditions

What I’ve Learned from No-Tilling: Do More With Less!

 

How Do You Say No-Till?

Click through the signs to learn how to say no-till in different languages.

25 No-Till Living Legends

As part of the 25th anniversary of the National No-Tillage Conference, the staff of No-Till Farmer honored 25 active individuals who have made no-till work and grow over the years. The 25 Living Legends are listed in alphabetical order.

PRODUCTS

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Frankly Speaking: A Non-Whitewashed 'First-Hand' Account of No-Till Farming's Rise Over 50-Plus Years

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$59.95
$49.95
$10.00 (17%)

Featuring Frank Lessiter’s most influential No-Till Farmer columns from 1972 to present, Frankly Speaking is a non-whitewashed account of no-till’s trials, tribulations and triumphs. You can take advantage of a special pre-order price of this over 850-page book of no-till history.

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Unlocking Your Corn's Yield Potential

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This No-Till Farmer special report explores the latest research, most effective practices, and nutrient management strategies specific to no-till from some of the highest-yielding corn growers in the U.S.!

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No-Till Farmer 2024 Benchmark Report

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  • No-till out-yielded by several other tillage practices in 2023
  • Herbicide tank mixes and higher nitrogen rates projected for 2024
  • Find out what no-till planter attachments are most popular
  • Purchase plans double for most types of equipment
  • How to tackle challenges with cover crop seeding strategies, growth and termination
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Next-Generation No-Till Weed Control

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As weed biology, herbicide resistance & cover crops affect no-till weed management programs, no-tillers will need to add new technologies and techniques to their weed control toolbox. This No-Till Farmer 16-page special report explores the latest research, most effective practices and positive impacts implementing an herbicide program with cover crops & novel technology can have. Keeping no-till fields cleaner, for longer.

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Strategies for Smashing the 100-Bushel Soybean Barrier

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According to some of the world's highest soybean yielders, the keys to achieving a record no-till soybean crop are planting early, intensively controlling weeds and utilizing seed treatments. This No-Till Farmer 16-page special report interviews 5 growers who broke the 100-bushel soybean barrier about their secrets to success with their crop, giving you tried-and-true ideas for ways to increase your own no-till soybean yields.

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From Maverick to Mainstream: A History of No-Till Farming [2nd Edition]

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$47.95
Enjoy the 2nd Edition of the must have book for anybody involved in agriculture. This stunning and unique collection of no-till stories, photographs, facts, and figures chronicles the history of no-till farming from the early years through today. This extraordinary hardbound book takes a decade-by-decade look at the world of no-till as seen through the eyes of those who observed the many changes in no-till since the first commercial U.S. plot in 1962. View
No-Till Corn: Pushing the Boundaries

No-Till Corn: Pushing the Boundaries of Yield Potential

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This 16-page special report offers tips and guidance from growers at or near the height of their talents. Learn what challenges they face, from managing equipment to self-control, and find advice and valuable information to help you reach the same level of success that they have.
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No-Till & Cover Crops Handbook

$29.95

Transitioning from conventional farming to no-till and incorporating the use of cover crops requires a higher level of management, but with No-Till Farmer's new No-Till & Cover Crops Handbook, you now have easy access to the critical information you need on field preparation, equipment requirements, how no-till and covers impact other agronomic practices and more.

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Built to Last

Built to Last: No-Till's Trials & Triumphs... 60 Years Later

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This 44-page Special Commemorative Edition is meant to honor the shoulders of those on which no-tillers stand on today, and to also remind the next generation that true, revolutionary breakthroughs in farming are still possible. More than 110 million acres proves it. Based on detailed research, historical discoveries and many conversations with farmers who proudly shared their personal no-till memories, this fascinating report dives into all aspects within the rich history of no-till farming.

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Going After Bigger Profits with Organic No-Till

Going After Bigger Profits with Organic No-Till

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Map out a smooth transition to organic no-till production and help make your farm operation more profitable in the long run with this special 32-page no-till management report. View

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