There’s no doubt that much of the rapid increase in no-tilled acres over the past 20 years is due to the extensive use of glyphosate-resistant corn and soybeans. Yet, extensive reliance on this single herbicide mode of action may be holding back the future growth of no-till. Even more worrisome is the impact it could have on simply maintaining the no-till acres we already have.

Like many no-tillers, Ben Fehl has seen the value of tiling both rented and owned ground. Major benefits from tiling include increased yield, less soil compaction, improved soil and water quality, reduced soil erosion and greater economic return.

Like many no-tillers in North America, Australian no-tillers are concerned with the impact of changing climate and drought conditions. However, no-till and several other innovative ideas have helped the country’s wheat growers deal with reduced water supplies while boosting yields over the past 3 decades.

Data from a recent cover-crop survey offers solid evidence that no-tillers are ahead of many other farmers when it comes to recognizing the value of keeping their ground covered throughout the year.

Forty years ago this month, I made my first visit to USDA’s North Appalachian Experimental Watershed in Coshocton, Ohio. Established in 1935, this 1,047-acre facility had been built with depression-era labor from several government assistance programs.

For a number of years, there’s been a “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico that is caused by nitrogen runoff flowing from farms down the Mississippi River into the Gulf.

No-tillers definitely understand the value of leaving residue in their corn fields. They recognize that corn stalks, leaves, husks and cobs help reduce soil losses, provide cheap nutrients, trim greenhouse emission levels, boost moisture levels, help organic matter, improve soil quality, reduce compaction and increase crop productivity.

Many farmers recognize that no-tilled ground is probably worth more than land farmed with more intensive tillage. Yet there’s little evidence that indicates no-tilled ground brings a premium price when a farm goes on the sale block.

Growing concerns about weed resistance were on the minds of many no-tillers, speakers and sponsors during the recent 21st annual National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis, Ind. The consensus is that weed resistance is becoming a more alarming issue each year and that these concerns can no longer be ignored.

Nearly 80% of Americans believe temperatures are definitely on the rise. Yet, very few members of the general public understand the key role that no-tillage will play in battling global warming over the next 90 years.