Determining which type of tillage is best for your operation depends on a number of variables. By breaking down some of these different factors, you can more easily decide which practice fits into your situation.

Conventional tillage is a system that leaves less than 15 percent of residue at the time of planting, while no-till and strip-till systems leave the soil undisturbed from harvest to planting except for strips up to one-third of the row width, according to Penn State University’s Agronomy Guide .

Each of these types of tillage offer a number of pros and cons that make the option desirable, but they have their downfalls as well. Here is a breakdown of the three types of tillage systems and what benefits and problems are associated with each.

No-Till

Pros

-Least amount of soil disturbance
-Least amount of passes through the fields
-Conservation practices and efficiency benefits over strip-till and conventional tillage
-Typically faster plant emergence
-Most time saving in terms of labor per acre

Cons

-Often requires more pesticide applications
-More likely to deal with early growing weeds

Pros

-Allows fertilizers to be placed directly into the root zone and away from crop residue
-Conservation practices and efficiency benefits over conventional tillage
-Helps dry out excessively wet soils
-More soil organic matter than conventional
-Encourages warmer, more favorable soil temperatures

Cons

-Higher fuel costs when compared to no-till
-Higher input costs than no-till

According to the Corn and Soybean Digest article Strip-Till Systems Provide Key Benefits for Corn , the advantages of using a strip-till system are typically strongest when planting corn following corn, because strip-till can help improve the uniformity in seedbeds and reduce plant-to-plant variability.

Pros

-Fewer pesticide applications typically needed
-Less chance of early weed growth
-Cleans out residue from previous harvest

Cons

-Soil compaction potential from more passes in the field
-Disturb soil structure which reduces soil moisture
-Higher fuel costs per acre
-More time in terms of labor per acre

Before planting in the Spring, you should evaluate what problems you are facing with your fields and gauge whether you need to change up your tillage method based on your evaluation. Using the best tillage method for your field can set the tone for a stronger crop and a better yield in the Fall.