No til farming

Growing up in the country with grandparents that were farmers I remember the work was year round. One thing farmers do after the harvest and before the planting season is to tend to their fields. The choice is no till or to till  the fields.

 

NO till is a method used by those in agricultural where farmers do not turn the soil between seasons. Leaving crop residue in the fields between season is a way to protect the fields against erosion. Not tilling the fields leaves the roots of the plants intact.  The roots help protect the fields against both wind and water erosion. The soil is also able to regenerate natural soil horizons and reduce emissions of CO2 because the no till field undergoes less oxidation.

 

The one downside of the no till method is that to protect the fields from weeds more herbicides must be used.