No-Till Farming Surges to 70% in Pennsylvania

By Blake Jackson

It's heartening to hear about farmers actively preparing their fields for the growing season. However, the mention of widespread plowing does raise concerns, given the significant progress Pennsylvania agriculture has made in adopting no-till practices.

Back in 2000, when Penn State started, no-till was on just 20% of our acres. Emphasizing the long-term benefits over short-term challenges faced by early adopters.

At that time, no-till farmers grappled with issues like increased slug populations and slower initial crop growth compared to conventionally tilled fields. It was crucial to maintain a broad perspective, recognizing the eventual advantages.

Over time, poorly drained soils under no-till showed improved yields due to factors like better moisture conservation during hotter, drier periods, enhanced soil conditions, the adoption of Phytophthora-resistant soybeans, a thriving soil biological community aiding in disease control and nutrient availability, and improved weed management strategies.

Research at the Agronomy farm in Centre County over 25 years even showed comparable continuous corn yields between no-till and plow till, with no-till exhibiting better initial stands in dry conditions.

The shift towards no-till in Pennsylvania has been remarkable, now reaching nearly 70% of planted acres. It's not just for large operations; even Amish farmers utilize no-till with horse-drawn equipment, benefiting both grain and forage production.

This has spurred innovation in dairy and beef farming, enabling double forage cropping and reducing reliance on external grain sources while optimizing manure nutrient use.

The adoption of no-till has also driven the cover crops, now on about 40% of our annual crop acres. This combination yields substantial environmental benefits, including significantly reduced soil erosion, increased water infiltration leading to cleaner streams and groundwater recharge, and enhanced soil biological activity.

While the sight of plows might cause some unease, Majority of Pennsylvania's farmers recognize the long-term advantages of no-till for their productivity and the environment.

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