No-tilling slopes as steep as 60% that receive as little as 12 inches of annual moisture and summer-time temperatures that frequently run over 100 degrees F., John Aeschliman has been successfully no-tilling in the Palouse area of eastern Washington for more than 40 years.

Crop-protection manufacturers have rolled out a bevy of new seed treatments, herbicides, in-plant traits and biocontrol agents for 2011 that will help no-tillers tackle problems with weeds, insects and diseases.

No tillers have many cover-crop options that can improve soil tilth, warm up temperatures at planting time, manage pest problems and much more, according to experts who spoke to about 100 no-tillers attending the Ohio No-Till Council’s field day earlier this fall.