The study took samples from three different types of long-term tillage systems: no-till, chisel-disk plowing, and moldboard plowing, which researchers defined as low, medium and high disturbance. They also collected samples from both corn and soybeans, as well as samples collected at different growth stages in each plant.

Weeds in a field destined for alfalfa planting survived both Enlist and Roundup applications. So the farmer hired a moldboard plow to tackle the issue. What would you have done? Is this avoidable?

Kiplinger predicts the moldboard plow will soon be an item that will disappear forever, as "modern farmers have little use for it."

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are testing out alternative ways of tilling the soil and rotating crops to see if they can help wheat farmers in Oregon sequester more carbon in the soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.