The Economic Case for Minimal Tillage

By Connor Kriegshauser, SWOF Field Program Representative

In today’s agriculture industry, farmers are balancing a lot—from rising input costs and labor shortages to increasing weather variability. Amid these challenges, one practical approach to consider is reducing tillage. Minimizing tillage not only benefits the soil and the environment but also brings economic advantages that can contribute to a farm's profitability. Here, we’ll break down the economic benefits of reduced tillage and how it can positively impact the bottom line for farming operations.

1. Lower Fuel and Machinery Costs

One of the most immediate benefits of reducing tillage is a decrease in fuel and machinery costs. By reducing the number of tillage passes or adopting no-till practices, farmers can cut fuel costs dramatically. A study by Iowa State University found that switching to a no-till system can reduce fuel use by up to 50%, depending on the type of tillage equipment and the number of passes typically used in conventional systems.

Additionally, less wear and tear on machinery means fewer maintenance expenses and longer equipment life. A report on farm equipment costs by University of Illinois Extension emphasizes that fewer tillage passes mean less engine and attachment hours with fewer replacement expenses over time.

2. Reduced Labor Costs

Each pass across the field doesn’t just cost fuel; it also costs time. The USDA reported that farms implementing no-till practices could reduce labor time by up to 35% per acre compared to conventional tillage systems. This was a big motivating factor for a participating SWOF farmer in Minnesota. John Sorenson recently shared that by reducing their tillage, they’ve been able to cut their labor needs from four to one! This was especially beneficial as his uncle recently retired and extra help has been hard to find.

Farmers who reduce tillage can cut costs on hired labor and save personal time, freeing up resources for tasks like pest scouting, soil health monitoring, and nutrient management.

The farmer of this SWOF-enrolled field in southwest Iowa utilizes no-till to save time and equipment costs as well as a rye cover crop to control soil erosion and build soil health. 

3. Improved Soil Health and Reduced Input Costs

Soil health plays a crucial role in a farm’s overall profitability, and tillage reduction can lead to healthier soil over time. Research from Ohio State University showed that reducing tillage improves soil organic matter by up to 0.2% per year, which enhances soil fertility. Over a five-year period, farmers practicing reduced tillage and no-till saw nitrogen fertilizer needs drop by around 15% as organic matter in the soil increased, leading to noticeable savings in fertilizer costs.

4. Weed Control and Reduced Herbicide Usage

Reduced tillage, particularly when combined with cover cropping, can improve natural weed suppression by creating a thicker crop residue on the soil surface. This layer can act as a natural barrier against weeds, potentially reducing the need for herbicides.

Weed Extension specialists with North Carolina Cooperative Extension recommend using cover crops as part of integrated weed management (IWM) to combat herbicide-resistant weeds. Their studies report that cereal rye cover crops can reduce Palmer amaranth and other annual grass densities by about 90% and can effectively manage winter weeds such as horseweed, reducing densities by as much as 98%.

5. Long-Term Resilience and Yield Stability

Healthy, less-disturbed soil is more resilient to extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent. Soils with higher organic matter and improved structure can better absorb and redirect excess water during heavy rains, reducing erosion, and retain more moisture during dry spells. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has conducted field trials indicating that no-till practices can conserve up to five inches of water, cutting irrigation-related costs by as much as $23 per acre.

Kansas State University conducted a 20-year study examining how different tillage intensities impact water capture, soil moisture storage, and crop yield in a wheat-sorghum-fallow rotation system. Over the long term, no-till resulted in wheat yields averaging 5 bushels per acre higher than reduced tillage and 8 bushels per acre higher than conventional tillage. For sorghum, yields under long-term no-till were significantly higher, averaging 58% more than under short-term no-till practices.

Strip-till is utilized in this Minnesota wheat field enrolled with SWOF. 

Getting Started with Reduced Tillage

The transition to reduced tillage doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Some farmers start with a low-till approach before moving to full no-till farming, and others incorporate cover crops to enhance the effects of tillage reduction. Additionally, many conservation programs, like the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF), help farmers maximize the benefits of transitioning to more sustainable practices. Farmers participating in our program are earning an average of $33/acre this year. With financial support and technical guidance, making the shift can be an economically viable choice.

As you begin, remember that you have a supportive partner with SWOF. Our field program team is here as a resource as you take this step toward cutting costs, enhancing soil health, and improving your environmental stewardship.

Connor Kriegshauser
Field Program Rep.

As our field program representative for northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, and eastern South Dakota, Connor works with farmers to implement practical conservation practices into their farming operations. He also provides support to referral partners. Connor graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. He first started with SWOF as an intern and then worked diligently for Corey in MRV before advancing to the Field Team. In his free time, Connor likes to hunt pheasants and waterfowl with his black lab, Remi.

Sources:

Hanna, Mark, and Dana Schweitzer. Farm Energy: Case Studies - Techniques to Improve Tractor Energy Efficiency and Fuel Savings. Iowa State University Extension, PM 3063D, 2015.

Hoorman, James J., and Alan Sundermeier. Using Cover Crops to Improve Soil and Water Quality. The Ohio State University Extension, 12 May 2017.

"Reduce the Need for Irrigation by Maintaining Crop Residue and Reducing Tillage." UNL Water, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

"Saving Money, Time, and Soil: The Economics of No-Till Farming." United States Department of Agriculture, 30 Nov. 2017.

Schlegel, A., and Burnett, A. "Tillage Intensity in a Long-Term Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation." Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports, vol. 7, no. 7, 2021.

Schnitkey, Gary, Dale Lattz, and Carl Zulauf. Handbook of Field Crop Field Operations Costs and Machinery Costs. Farmdoc, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2024.

Vann, Rachel, Charlie Cahoon, and Guy Collins. "Managing Cereal Rye for Benefits in Cotton and Soybeans." North Carolina Cooperative Extension, 16 Apr. 2020.