While 2020 will be remembered for its many dramas — including a global pandemic, civil unrest, a historic derecho, uncertainties in the commodities markets and a highly contested presidential election — no-tillers actually seem to have fared relatively well. 

According to the results of the 13th annual No-Till Farmer Operational Benchmark Study, 89.6% of no-tillers reported a profit in 2020, up from 81% in 2019. This brought those who reported a loss down to 10.4%, which is the lowest percentage to report a loss since 2014, when 10.9% said they ended the year in the red. 

The 2020 average net income of $61,851 was nearly 29% higher than 2019’s average income of $48,063 — the highest net income has been since 2014 when that totaled $73,011. The improved financial picture should be viewed with some context, however, as it may…