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Council Bluffs Today
By the People, for the People
No-Till Corn Requires High-Performance Weed Control
Farmers see no-till as a way to reduce costs and boost profitability, but consistent weed management is key.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:12am
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Precision farm equipment and tools symbolize the high-performance requirements of no-till corn production.Council Bluffs TodayWhile some growers see no-till as an important soil conservation measure, others view it as a cost-saving technique to boost their bottom lines. However, no-till farming requires a high-performance herbicide program to control troublesome weeds like dandelion, lambsquarters, velvetleaf, and waterhemp that can emerge through the crop canopy.
Why it matters
No-till farming has become more popular as farmers look to reduce fuel and labor costs, but maintaining consistent weed control is critical to the success of no-till corn production. Uncontrolled weeds can reduce yields and profitability, making effective herbicide programs essential for no-till growers.
The details
No-till farmers must rely solely on herbicides to control weeds, as they do not cultivate the soil. This means they need a robust herbicide program to manage perennial weeds like dandelion as well as annual broadleaf weeds that can emerge through the crop canopy. Proper weed management is key to the success of no-till corn production.
- In 2006, a number of farmers switched to no-till due to record-high fuel prices.
The players
David Thien
Vice president of Thien Farm Management in Council Bluffs, Iowa, who manages operations that utilize reduced-till and no-till practices for soil conservation and profitability.
John Dalton
A farmer in Council Bluffs, Iowa, who successfully transitioned Conservation Reserve Program land to no-till row cropping.
What they’re saying
“Reduced-till and no-till are very important practices on the operations I manage, not only for soil conservation, but also for profitability. It reduces the number of passes across the field, which can save money in the long run. It does a lot to improve soil tilth and the overall maintenance of the farm, and it helps save soil.”
— David Thien, Vice President, Thien Farm Management
“When we first bought this farm, it was all in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). We no-tilled successfully through the residual grass and have no-tilled ever since. The residue holds moisture well and we don't have to disturb the soil. It's just a good farming practice.”
— John Dalton, Farmer
What’s next
Farmers will need to continue evaluating high-performance herbicide programs to ensure consistent weed control in their no-till corn operations.
The takeaway
While no-till farming can provide cost savings and soil conservation benefits, growers must prioritize effective weed management through robust herbicide programs to maintain yields and profitability in their no-till corn production.
