Transition to no-till management on cropland is a multi-staged process that requires planning, preparation & substantial equipment modifications. Success hinges on being prepared. Before beginning, here are some key tips to keep in mind. Getting Started with No-Till Farming is supported by Calmer Corn Heads.

Organic food is more than a trend for a growing number of farmers across the country. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the market is worth an estimated $52 billion in 2021, an increase from $26.9 billion in 2010.

No-till got off to a rocky start in our region of central Pennsylvania. We all had rocks in our fields and were tired of digging them up with tillage and picking them. No-till seemed like a tidy solution if it would work.

While the USDA estimates only about 10% of U.S. cropland is being managed with cover crops for various soil health and weed suppression reasons, recent research across the Corn Belt shows over-wintering cereal crop covers can significantly reduce weed biomass.

Whether it’s due to government policies or carbon credit incentives, veteran no-tillers are getting the short end of the stick. With most carbon credit companies refusing to accept veteran no-tillers in their programs, you can see why I think the current rules are unfair.