Can No Till Farming Help Conserve Water on U.S. Farms?
Farmers across the United States are struggling to adapt to the harsh realities of a gradually warming climate. Frequent water shortages and droughts, in particular, have pushed many farmers to the brink of bankruptcy and continue to pose a threat to the entire of entire agriculture-based industries.
As a consequence, farmers in the U.S have begun to search for new modes of farming practices that will provide alternative solutions to traditional, largely irrigation-based practices. No till farming is one such practice that has the potential to be a viable, more sustainable alternative.
If you’re considering investing in ag loans for your land, we’re willing to bet that the issue of water shortages have been at the top of your mind as of late. In this article, we’ll discuss how no till farming can help U.S. farmers like yourself conserve water.
What Is No Till Farming?
Also commonly referred to as “zero tillage” or “direct drilling”, no till farming is a method of crop or pasture production that (as you might have guessed) does not involve any tilling; in this way, the soil beneath the crops or pasturage remains largely undisturbed. No till farming started to become popular in the United States around the mid-20th century – and over the decades it has become the agricultural technique of choice for large parts of the country that have sandy or delicate soil compositions.
Pros and Cons of No Till Farming
Like any other mode of agricultural production, no till farming comes with its benefits and drawbacks.
If you’re considering giving no till farming a shot, here are some of the pros and cons that you’ll need to know about.
- Pros:
- Less soil compaction
- Minimal soil erosion
- Less moisture loss in soil
- Healthier, more balanced soil
- Conserves water
- Less overhead costs to maintain (no till farming requires less passes over your land, meaning you’ll be using less fuel)
- Cons:
- Costs of getting started with no till equipment (However, this may be able to be offset with the help of farm financing.)
- Time investment to learn the ropes of no till farming
- Typically requires a greater quantity of herbicides to maintain
Shop for Ag Loans for Land Today
Finding ag loans for land can be a tricky process. Thankfully, the pros over at MSF Agriculture are here to help you along every step of the way. Contact our office today to get started!