Due to the high cost and limited availability of commercial fertilizers over the past few years, we have largely focused on recycling valuable nutrients from crop residue. However, there are lots of other benefits from accelerating your residue decay program, including faster soil organic matter formation, fewer problems with planting and emergence, and improved weed and disease control.

Yield record holders Randy Dowdy and David Hula point out no-tillers may have more control over certain factors that influence yield than they may think. 

Cover crops are used to address multiple resource concerns and can provide a wide range of conservation benefits including reduced soil erosion, scavenged residual soil nitrogen, weed suppression, and supplemental livestock forage. The carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the cover crop determines the durability of the cover crop residue.