With corn harvest lagging by 25% or more behind the norm, moisture spot checks indicating very wet grain and more unfavorable drying weather in the near-term forecast, some corn growers may already be considering leaving corn stand in the field until spring.

A report that says the Clean Water Act has failed to reduce pollution in the nation's rivers and streams is being questioned by some no-tillers who say water quality is much better than it was 20 to 40 years ago.

More of the fertilizers and pesticides used to grow corn would find their way into nearby water sources if ethanol demands lead to planting more acres in corn, according to a Purdue University study.

Some corn and soybean producers took a step this spring to help reduce the amount of phosphorous and nitrogen entering surface waters by participating in a no-till soybean and corn planting project.

Drainage water management techniques are proving to reduce nitrate releases into ditches and streams –- and now researchers and regulators are teaming up to see if the water-quality benefits can be quantified so no-till farmers can earn money by managing their tile drainage water.

One way no-till farmers can preserve soil and protect water quality is by planting grass hedges to trap sediment that would otherwise be washed away by field runoff.