The fertility practices of no-tillers and farmers, in general, are being highly scrutinized due to recent harmful algae blooms and toxins in major waterways like Lake Erie. Jim Hoorman says recent research by Ohio State University shows iron may be releasing soluble reactive phosphorus to surface water during saturated soil conditions.

Long-term studies show soil compaction reduces yields by 30%. Jim Hoorman says poor soil structure and compaction are common, especially where conventional tillage has been used extensively, but even no-tillers often see little improvement or slow gains in soil structure.