drought - Page 1

No-Till, Strip-Till and Cover Crops Research Journal - March 2026

Each month, the conservation ag group at Cornell University offers an analysis of the latest scientific papers dealing with conservation agriculture research from around the world. For this on-going web series, our editors will be selecting several research papers from the Cornell list that will be of special interest to North American no-tillers, strip-tillers and cover croppers.

By Frank Lessiter posted on March 11, 2026 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag, Seeding Practices, Soil Health

In this edition:

Sixty years of crop diversification with perennials improves yields more than no-tillage in Ohio grain cropping systems
Conservation Tillage Practices on GHG Emissions, Soil Health and Overall Agricultural Sustainability
Long-term continuous no-till corn-soybean systems: Examining soil carbon sequestration and nitrogen accumulation across various pools
Assessing the agricultural, environmental, and economic effects of crop diversity management: A comprehensive review on crop rotation and cover crop practices
Cover Crops Optimize Soil Fertility and Soybean Productivity in the Cerrado of MATOPIBA, Brazil
Short-term no-tillage improves soil water retention and maintains soil aeration at high moisture conditions despite reduced macroporosity
Tillage Radish as Cover Crop Improves Soil Health Indicators Depending on Pedoclimatic Conditions.

Missouri Growers Use Cover Crops to Replenish Nutrients, Improve Soil Structure

By Ceilidh Kern posted on November 29, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Missouri Independent

The positives of planting cover crops include supporting the local environment and making crops more productive and climate-resilient. Thanks to cover crops, no-till and crop rotation, Willott says his farm still had a fairly good harvest despite this year’s drought, extreme heat and flooding.

Cover Crops for Fighting Drought & Weeds

July 10, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Sustainable Chesapeake

Virginia farmers Clay Lowe of Cedar Point Farms, Paul Davis of Davis Produce and Jamie Shenk of Beauregard Farms explain how cover crops are an integral part of their weed management program and how they help improve crop productivity during droughts.

Conservation Ag Update

Drought Update: Relief in Sight?

By Noah Newman posted on July 7, 2023 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag

In this episode of Conservation Ag Update, University of Illinois ag professor Gary Schnitkey has the latest on drought conditions and explains why there’s still hope for above average yields. Plus, we take a trip back to 1988, when President Ronald Reagan visited drought-stricken Illinois. This episode of Conservation Ag Update is brought to you by Yokohama Off-Highway Tires.

How Weeds Respond to Drought Conditions

June 21, 2023

Source: University of Nebraska: CropWatch

A global meta-analysis was conducted using 1,196 paired observations from 86 published articles assessing the effect of water stress on weed germination, growth characteristics and seed production.

Conservation Ag Update

No-Till & Cover Crops Paying Off in Drought Conditions

By Noah Newman posted on June 16, 2023 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag

In this episode of Conservation Ag Update, we explore how no-tillers are holding up in abnormally dry conditions throughout most of the U.S. Independent agronomist Jim Stute checks in from southeastern Wisconsin, and no-tiller Ryan Gibbs reports from eastern Iowa, where both areas have received minimal rainfall since April. This episode of Conservation Ag Update is brought to you by Saddle Butte Ag Bio Till Cover Crops.

Drought Management

How Cover Cropping Can Help Your Operation Survive Drought Conditions

June 8, 2023 | Posted in Soil Health

Struggling with drought? Find practical solutions using no-till and cover crops with the help of our recommended articles from No-Till Farmer and Cover Crop Strategies.

Consider Cover Crops First To Fight Drought

By James Hoorman posted on November 3, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health, Termination

The Midwest is dry and experiencing drought problems, especially the Mississippi river with reduced barge traffic. Most no-tillers want to know: what is the probability of a drought next year?

Strip-Till & Cover Crops Offer the ‘Best of Both Worlds’

The Isley family has improved water retention by planting annual ryegrass into standing corn and seeding annual ryegrass and rapeseed prior to strip-tilling.

By Julienne Isaacs posted on September 20, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

In 2012, the Isley family took a firm dislike to using the word “dirt.” They had gone through a substantial drought and were working ground, watching it turn to powder.

Winter Cereals Are a Forage Option

December 17, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

Source: North Dakota State University Extension press release

The drought of 2021 left many ranchers short of feed, both grazing forage and hay. A great option for spring grazing or hay production is winter cereals. Read this article from North Dakota State University.