Is no-till better for the environment?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Benefiting the environment, no-till reduces soil erosion by 80%, according to USDA studies. Diesel emissions drop 66%, and 0.23 tons of carbon are retained per acre each year. Buffer strips keep 95% of phosphorus retained in place, which protects waterways from runoff that can occur during conventional farming.
Soil & Carbon Benefits
- Erosion reduction: 5.2 tons/acre/year to 0.8 tons
- Carbon sequestration: 0.23 tons/acre/year stored
- Organic matter: 2.8% vs 1.9% in tilled soils
Water & Air Quality
- Phosphorus retention: 95% in buffer strips
- Diesel savings: 4,160 gallons/year per 1k acres
- Nitrogen runoff: 16.6 lb/acre to 6.6 lb/acre
No-till is drought resilient due to being able to retain 25 mm (1 inch) more soil moisture. The root systems can reach 1.8 m (6 ft) deep to use restorations of subwater. As a result, the Midwest farm trials showed a 40% reduction in irrigation needs and a 28% reduction in yield loss during dry periods.
To maximize environmental benefits, a 3-5 year transition to no-till is essential. By Year 5, carbon credits will add income ranging from $15k-$45k per 500 acres. Reduced erosion also means municipalities can decrease the cost of water treatment by $18 per acre. This constitutes economic impacts driven by environmental benefits.
Read the full article: No Till Benefits: Boost Soil Health & Farm Profits
