No-Till vs. Reduced Till: What's the Real Difference for Yields, Fuel and Soil?

Promoting Soil Health and Erosion Control with No-Till Farming

The no-till practice is where the soil is left undisturbed between harvest and planting and when planting time rolls around the following spring the seeds are planted directly into the soil surface, leaving the plant residue from the last crop still on top of the soil. The purpose of this practice is to prevent erosion and to help improve long-term soil health and structure.

Reduced-till practice is where there are fewer, or shallower tillage passes than conventional plowing. This often includes systems such as strip-till, zone-till, or vertical tillage. The benefit of this practice is that it keeps the soil covered year-round and reduces erosion and compaction on the land.

Research shows that there are both short-term and long-term outcomes of both of these practices. The short-term outcomes are that the initial yield may dip a bit within the first few seasons after switching from conventional tillage. The reasoning behind this is when soil is wet and cool there is a nutrient imbalance, poor seed to soil contact and possible increase in disease risk. To overcome the initial yield drag producers have implemented cover crops, implemented a nutrient strategy, used proper equipment such as a specialized no-till planter and even found specialized seed. The long-term outcomes show that yields often are equal or surpass conventional techniques as the soil improves.

There are some climate considerations that should be noted. No-till often performs better in drier, rainfed regions due to better moisture retention and reduced-till may excel in cooler, wetter regions where spring soil warming is critical.

Cutting costs on fuel and operating expenses comes to mind when looking into implementing these practices. According to the USDA and NRCS there is data that shows that conservation tillage can save 1.8–3.6 gallons of diesel per acre compared to conventional tillage; that is an estimated $14–$17/acre savings depending on the price of diesel. When it comes to operation expenses, fewer passes mean reduced labor, machinery wear and tear and not to mention; maintenance costs.

Along with conservation tilling practices there are different soil health and sustainability impacts. Both reduced-till and no-till reduce erosion and runoff compared to full conventional tillage. The soil structure after the no-till practice has been implemented leaves the soil with improved aggregation, organic matter near the surface, and with better water infiltration. When reduced or no-till takes place, these benefits are often times maximized when paired with cover crops and residue retention.

There is equipment and different operational differences to note when starting either of these practices. If deciding to no-till the requirements are that there must be a planter and drills that are designed for residue cutting and firm seed placement. GPS or auto-steer often times helps ensure precise seed rows in heavy residue. Producers may need to upgrade coulters, openers, and heavier down pressure. When it comes to reduced-till there are options. Strip-till bars or shallow vertical tillage tools are allowed. They provide a warmed, drier seedbed while also keeping residue between the rows. This option serves as a lower upfront investment in comparison to a full no-till conversion.

There are different pros and cons that can come with both of these tillage options as well. The pros to no-till is that there is maximum erosion control, greatest fuel and time savings, improved moisture retention, and long-term soil health benefits. The cons of no-till are the higher herbicide reliance, cooler spring soils and possible short-term yield dip in soil rotations. The pros to reduced-till is the fact that it is an easier transition, the seedbed has improved warmth and there are still many gains on conservation benefits. The cons to reduced-till is that there is less fuel and time savings, slightly higher soil disturbance and moderate erosion risk compared to no-till.

• Combine tillage reduction with cover crops and nutrient management to accelerate soil benefits.
• Consult local extension specialists for region-specific results and equipment setup guidance.

When it comes time to making an on-farm decision about regenerative farming; easing into the process may be the way to go. Producers can start with test strips or side-by-side trials for 2–4 years before full adoption, being sure to take good records of fuel, labor, and yield data to calculate the return on investment. Combine tillage reduction with cover crops and nutrient management to accelerate soil benefits.

The table below helps describe which system would work best in different environments and land situations as well as the key benefits of both.