For growers still using intensive tillage and facing less income and more costs, the question is when the best time is to shift to no-till. A major worry is the fear of a yield drag and its impact on income.

While many growers have not experienced a yield drag when shifting to no-till, others find it takes a few years before yields and profits are comparable with former tillage practices. And when crop prices are low and nutrient, pesticide, machinery, fuel and labor costs continue increasing, it can be a difficult time to reduce tillage.

Earn Extra Profits

While most growers don’t see a yield drag when transitioning to no-till wheat or soybeans, Jim Hoorman there can be concerns with no-till corn. Even so, the owner of Hoorman Soil Health Services in Jenera, Ohio, says no-till typically saves $40-$80 per acre.

In the current down ag economy, Hoorman believes the conversion to no-till and cover crops has slowed. Yet some growers are making a successful transition to no-till without experiencing a decline in profits. 

Building off a few ideas from John Kempf at Advancing Eco Agriculture in Middlefield, Ohio, Hoorman finds farmers often take shortcuts when moving to no-till. An example is immediately trimming nutrient needs, which can lead to lower yields during the transition.

Instead, these growers must realize no-till and cover crops need to be in place for several years so the underground microbes and the soil’s biological system start working well together to boost soil health.

Check the Data

Hoorman and Kempf urge growers to trim fertilizer only when soil tests, tissue tests or crop scouting show a need for less nutrients. At the same time, Hoorman says some growers over-apply nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and lime, which can tie up micronutrients. These are essential for producing the enzymes that speed up biological activity in the soil.

Once there’s a proper nutritional balance, healthy plants can resist insects, diseases and weeds (with a quicker canopy) and improve soil health. Once the biological system is working properly, farmers can make a quick transition to no-till without sacrificing yields and profits and win the battle of keeping costs in line during these tough times in ag.