Resource Soil Scientist Rick Bednarek from USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) says that it is important for farmers to be patient with no-till--especially when considering improved soil quality.

“Over a period of seven or eight years the soil structure really improves and organic matter levels build,” said Bednarek. “Organic matter is the storage bin for nutrients. You can no-till for 10 to 15 years and if you till it once, you’re basically starting over. Tilling affects earthworms, creates a plow pan that restricts the downward movement of water and burns off the organic matter in the form of carbon dioxide.”

Bednarek says no-till helps build good soil structure. “No-till helps build organic matter, it increases fertility capacity, it allows water to infiltrate more easily and builds good soil tilth,” he said.

A soil with good “tilth” or structure is one where individual soil particles are bound together in stable aggregates. Aggregation increases pore space, reduces soil density, and helps maintain a healthy balance between air and water in the plant root zone.

The increased surface residue and soil organic matter from no-till also stimulates earthworm populations. Earthworms are an important agent in improving water movement into and through the soil.

“Earthworms improve soil quality by increasing the availability of soil nutrients,” said Bednarek. “Earthworms improve the physical properties of the soil and enhance the beneficial microorganisms.” Bednarek added that earthworm holes help remove excess rainfall and snowmelt, which often lead to soil erosion.

No-till Controls Soil Erosion, Improves Water Quality

Another overall benefit of no-till for Caviness is less soil erosion on his land.

“That’s one of the biggest advantages to no-till,” said Adair County District Conservationist Marvin Lundstedt. “You don’t see the rills on the slopes out here that indicate severe erosion.”

Even after damaging storms in May, where Adair County endured some of the heaviest rains, Caviness’ soils held up better than most.

“We had some erosion, but not nearly to the extent of conventionally-tilled farms,” said Caviness. “Due to the residue on the soil surface, raindrops absorb better and don’t have the explosive impact on the soil. The subsurface of the soil is also protected by the dead roots that hold everything together.”

Bednarek said that soil infiltration test results from Caviness’ farm indicate findings consistent with other no-till operations.

“Results of the infiltration test show soils in Randy’s fields could withstand four inches of steady rain per hour without severe erosion,” said Bednarek. “A conventional tilled field will typically incur soil erosion when two inches of rain per hour hit the soil surface. Conventional till does not allow water to infiltrate because of the plow layer.”

For Caviness, less soil erosion over the years has resulted in longer lasting erosion control structures. He uses a combination of conservation practices in his fields, including contour buffer strips, filter strips, terraces and grassed waterways. 

“With the complete conservation system I have out here, I really don’t have to be as concerned with soil erosion,” he said. Caviness said his conservation practices hold up well and require minimal maintenance, since there is very little sediment runoff.   

No-till Increases Profits

With the added expense of machinery and labor associated with conventional tilling, no-till has allowed Caviness to sell off that equipment and expand his operation by buying more and renting less land.

“When I tilled, I owned a 32-foot disc, a 36-foot field cultivator with sprayer, a 250 horsepower International and a 300 horsepower Steiger,” he said. “Now all I need is a good no-till planter and a timely, accurate sprayer and Chaff Spreader on the combine to get the job done.”

Caviness said that even though he has gone from farming 1,500 acres to 3,000, it hasn’t necessarily meant more work for his family.

“No-till is less labor-intensive. I can farm twice as much ground with the same labor, except during harvest when I hire three extra people to help get the crop out faster,” he said. “More recently, we have done our own spraying and have our own storage for grain, so I have one full-time employee.” 

One reason many farmers give for avoiding or quitting no-till is that yields are lower, but Caviness has not found that to be the case. “My yields remained steady at the start, and now with newer technology my yields are going up,” he said. “It is important for me to stay current on soils tests. I can save a lot of money on fertilizer that way.”

Lundstedt said many farmers quit no-tilling after a couple of years, never giving it time to work. “It goes back to being patient. It just takes time,” he said. “There may be a dip in yields after three or four years, but if you practice continuous no-till (no-till for at least seven consecutive years) the overall results will be there.”

Like many farmers, Caviness is hesitant to say no-till is the best way or the only way to farm corn and beans.

“Everyone has to run their operation the way they feel is best,” he said. “I feel no-till is a good idea. It works for me, but like anything, you have to be committed to make it work.”

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