The better practices of conservation tillage does not mean they are best practices.

Diversified farms that included significant years in grass in the rotation (grazed by cows, instead of relying on harvesting corn to ship to feedlots) would build the soil and save more energy then conservation tillage practices.

With 55% of the corn in the nation currently going to animal feed, it seems that we could a healthier farm economy and ecosystem by putting cows back out on grass instead of conservation tillage used to grow food to ship to the cows.

Chemical-based agricultural practices, including those that are no-till, have contributed to climate change through heavy use of fossil fuels–both directly on the farm and in the manufacturing of pesticides and fertilizers–and through degradation of the soil, which releases carbon.

Though some argue that organic farming may endanger soil because it relies on tillage and cultivation—instead of herbicides—to kill weeds, studies have shown the opposite is true due to the emphasis of organic agriculture on building organic matter.

A long-term study by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service has shown that organic farming practices can build up soil better than chemical no-till and sequester more soil carbon, as well as improved crop yields. The addition of organic matter in manure and cover crops more than offset losses from tillage.

Furthermore, many organic farms practice low-till agriculture, and the Rodale Institute is currently researching no-till organic farming. For more information see their “No-Till Revolution” page: http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/no-till_revolution.