Drought Sparks Interest in No-Till Farming Practices

Experts say the current drought could boost adoption of no-till agriculture, which helps retain soil moisture.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:35am

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A bold, highly structured abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circular patterns, and precise botanical spirals in earthy tones of brown, green, and blue against a clean background, conceptually representing the complex interplay of soil, water, and plant life in a no-till farming system.An abstract visualization of the interconnected natural processes that underpin the benefits of no-till farming, offering a conceptual glimpse into the regenerative potential of this conservation practice.Des Moines Today

As the ongoing drought remains a top concern in the agriculture industry, experts are weighing in on the potential for no-till farming practices to help buffer farms from dry conditions. USDA economist John Horowitz says no-till adoption is growing by 1.5% and is now used on 35% of crop acres, but less than 10% of farmers are considered continuous no-tillers. Some farmers are selectively using no-till or strip-till to control weeds and plant earlier in the spring. No-till farmer and philanthropist Howard Buffett believes stronger government incentives could further drive no-till adoption to improve soil conservation.

Why it matters

No-till farming, which involves leaving crop residue on the soil surface rather than plowing it under, has been shown to help retain soil moisture and reduce erosion during drought conditions. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of droughts, adoption of no-till and other conservation agriculture practices could become increasingly important for maintaining crop yields and protecting topsoil.

The details

According to the Wall Street Journal, USDA economist John Horowitz says no-till adoption has grown by 1.5% and is now used on 35% of U.S. crop acres. However, Purdue University agronomist Tony Vyn notes that less than 10% of American farmers are considered continuous no-tillers. Some farmers are using no-till or strip-till selectively to control weeds and plant earlier in the spring. No-till farmer and philanthropist Howard Buffett believes stronger government incentives, such as tying federal crop insurance eligibility to conservation compliance, could further drive no-till adoption to improve soil conservation.

  • The ongoing drought remains a top concern in the agriculture industry in 2026.

The players

John Horowitz

A USDA economist who says no-till adoption is growing by 1.5% and is now used on 35% of U.S. crop acres.

Tony Vyn

A Purdue University agronomist who says less than 10% of American farmers are considered continuous no-tillers.

Howard Buffett

A no-till farmer and philanthropist who believes stronger government incentives could further drive no-till adoption to improve soil conservation.

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What they’re saying

“No-till saves fuel and it saves the soil. If you manage your operation properly, it won't cost you yields.”

— Howard Buffett, No-till farmer and philanthropist

“Government has the biggest club, and if it doesn't use it, there will be less good conservation practices.”

— Howard Buffett, No-till farmer and philanthropist

What’s next

In the still-idled Farm Bill discussions, some lawmakers have proposed tying eligibility for federal crop insurance to conservation compliance, which could further incentivize no-till adoption.

The takeaway

The current drought is drawing renewed attention to the benefits of no-till farming practices, which can help retain soil moisture and reduce erosion. While adoption has been growing, experts believe stronger government incentives could drive even faster uptake of no-till and other conservation agriculture techniques to help farms become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.