As we slide into fall, harvest comes first to mind, followed by fertilizer applications and fall tillage. There are many reasons to consider adopting different tillage practices. Some reasons might include: less labor and fuel inputs for reduced or no tillage passes, combining fertilizer application and tillage in one pass, earlier field access in the spring, reducing water and wind erosion, improving soil health, or access to carbon credits.
Regardless of the reason, identifying your goals and understanding expectations are keys to success. For example, if your goal is to improve soil health by reducing tillage, you need to define what soil health is to you. Is it increased water infiltration and less runoff, is it increased water holding capacity? Is it to increase soil organic matter? Any of these goals are good but understanding this may not happen within the first several years is understanding the expectation of reaching the goal.
Along with goals and expectations comes the adage “you can’t manage what you don’t measure” so you also need a plan to “measure” the parameters so you will know if the goal is met. Maybe your measurement is a slow increase in soil carbon or organic matter, maybe this is tracking operation efficiencies such as a reduction in labor or fuel costs when moving to no-till, maybe this is less water leaving the field, maybe this is earlier access to the field in the spring due to better trafficability? Tillage is not a system, it is part of the cropping system. Adoption of a new tillage practice will likely require changes to other parts of the cropping system.
Strip-Till
Changes to the strip-till cropping system may require a better guidance system to keep the planter on the strips. It will also likely cause an investment in a strip-till bar, although it is possible to make strips with an anhydrous ammonia bar. The weed control system may also need to change as you will not be able to use a herbicide that requires incorporation.
No-Till
A no till cropping system may include parameters such as better residue management and distribution coming out of the combine, upgrades on the planter in a no-till system to effectively get seed planted, and adaption to the weed control system. For example, in long-term no-till systems, winter annual may become more prevalent requiring a burndown herbicide application to effectively manage the existing weeds at planting along with a pre-emerge herbicide to kill weeds that have yet to emerge. This cropping system will also require an adaptation in nitrogen application as you move away anhydrous ammonia applications to liquid or dry nitrogen sources. (Note: some programs allow anhydrous ammonia application as part of a no till system).
Getting started
“Learning to walk before you run” is another appropriate adage. Attend field days, visit with neighbors, hire a custom strip-till operator, borrow a strip till, join a discussion group to seek advice and garner knowledge. Start small, with a field or two, and not the whole farm. Seek out cost-share opportunities that may help jump-start your transition to a different cropping system. Discuss goals and expectations with your landlord. Don’t forget to measure your change in management. The benefits of strip-till and no-till cropping systems may take several years to come to fruition.
Other Resources:
Strip-Till 101, CropsTV 2024. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJogf-JWmCk
This article was originally published in the October 2025 Wallaces Farmer magazine.
- Field Agronomist in NC Iowa