Experts Urge Farmers to Embrace 100% No-Till Farming

Continuous no-till can boost profits and protect the environment, experts say.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:06am

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A bold, abstract painting in the style of Hilma af Klint, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circular patterns, and precise botanical spirals in earthy green, brown, and blue tones against a clean white background, conceptually representing the structural order and natural cycles of sustainable no-till agriculture.An abstract visualization of the interconnected systems and natural cycles that underpin the benefits of continuous no-till farming.Cincinnati Today

Even though no-till acreage has been increasing, experts believe less than 12% of U.S. farmland is in a continuous no-till program. At an upcoming farming conference, Dan Towery and Dick Lyons will share strategies to help more farmers transition to 100% no-till, which they say can reduce risks and provide profit-building, environment-saving benefits.

Why it matters

Widespread adoption of continuous no-till farming can have significant environmental benefits by reducing soil erosion, improving soil health, and protecting water quality. However, many farmers still rely on traditional tillage practices, missing out on these advantages. Experts aim to show how the transition to 100% no-till can also boost profitability for cash grain producers.

The details

Towery says rotational tillage remains common, especially in the South where many farmers still disc ahead of cover crop planting. He'll share techniques to manage the transition to 100% no-till, which he says can reduce risks and unlock profit-building benefits. Lyons, who has continuously no-tilled 300 acres for 16 years, will provide field-tested ideas to help farmers reduce costs, boost yields, and expand profits by moving to a 100% no-till program.

  • The 13th annual National No-Tillage Conference will be held January 12-15, 2005 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  • Towery and Lyons will present their no-till farming strategies during a Friday luncheon presentation at the conference.

The players

Dan Towery

An expert on no-till farming who believes less than 12% of U.S. farmland is in a continuous no-till program.

Dick Lyons

An Illinois no-tiller who has continuously no-tilled 300 acres for 16 years and will share field-tested ideas to help farmers transition to 100% no-till.

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What they’re saying

“By effectively managing the transition to 100 percent no-till, he says, growers will reduce their risks and capitalize on the many profit-building and environment-saving benefits.”

— Dan Towery, No-Till Farming Expert

“A continuous no-till farmer and a former community college agronomy instructor from the heartland of Illinois (with its deeper, higher clay and…”

— Dick Lyons, Illinois No-Tiller

What’s next

Towery and Lyons will present their no-till farming strategies during a Friday luncheon presentation at the 13th annual National No-Tillage Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 12-15, 2005.

The takeaway

Widespread adoption of continuous no-till farming can provide significant environmental benefits while also boosting profitability for cash grain producers. Experts aim to show farmers how to effectively manage the transition to 100% no-till to reduce risks and capitalize on these advantages.