LUBBOCK, TX – Conservation tillage is becoming more common in U.S. agriculture, especially for wheat. USDA data show no-till and reduced till practices increased on wheat acreage from 21% in 1998 to 69% in 2022—greater gains than for corn, soybeans, or cotton.
Corn also saw steady growth in no-till adoption over time. However, cotton and wheat have recently leveled off, while soybean use has fluctuated. No-till growth was originally helped by herbicide-tolerant crops, which reduced the need for mechanical weed control.
Now, the rise of herbicide-resistant weeds such as palmer amaranth and water hemp is making farmers reconsider their tillage practices. This shift could affect future soil conservation trends.