As harvest winds down, many farmers face the familiar urge to break out the tillage tools. But experts and experienced producers suggest it might be time to hit the brakes-especially when it comes to soybean fields. Skipping fall tillage after soybean harvest can lead to measurable economic and environmental benefits.

Mike Brocksmith, a veteran no-tiller from Vincennes, Indiana, started skipping fall tillage in the 1970s. For him, soil erosion is the primary concern. "The ultimate reason to leave soybean stubble alone is the soil erosion," he says. "It's so fragile after soybeans that I would just hate to disturb it."

Beyond soil conservation, Brocksmith emphasizes the cost savings. Replacing one or two tillage passes with a $5-per-acre herbicide application dramatically reduces labor, fuel, and equipment wear. "Honestly, I believe that a herbicide pass is cheaper than a tillage pass," he says.

Sprayers Are the New Tillage Tool

Ryan Facemire of Franklin, Indiana, also champions the shift away from fall tillage. "The sprayer is your new tillage tool," he says. After harvest, he moves directly into a fall burndown operation using a 12-gallon-per-acre spray mix that includes TriCor, dicamba, and Salvan. The result: weed suppression that lasts into spring.

He credits this method for keeping his river bottom ground clean and erosion-free. It also streamlines post-harvest fieldwork, often reducing it to just three days of spraying. Even in tight weather windows, Facemire has completed burndown applications under snow without compromising results.

Residue Spread Is Crucial

Whether using a John Deere S680 with PowerCast tailboard or a simpler Case IH system, both Brocksmith and Facemire emphasize that even residue spread is critical. A uniform spread prevents nutrient imbalances, ensures better seed-to-soil contact, and helps maintain consistent soil temperatures in the spring.

Brocksmith's advice: Keep the system simple. "It's just some trial and error," he says. Operators should monitor and adjust the residue spread from the combine seat for best results.

Cover Crops for Weed Control

Some farmers might worry about fall weed pressure without tillage. Brocksmith recommends integrating cover crops for added suppression. He suggests starting with oats and radishes, which are easy to manage and provide sufficient ground cover.

Facemire stresses that adopting this system takes patience. "No-till will never warm up as quick as worked ground, but it has never held us up with significant planting delays," he explains. The key is a mindset shift and commitment to long-term soil health.

Conservation with a Cost Edge

Skipping tillage doesn't mean skipping weed control. The strategic use of fall herbicide applications not only substitutes for tillage but reduces the need for aggressive spring weed control. "The field is cleaner, so we're not fighting it as hard in the spring," Facemire says.

Ultimately, combining fall burndown, proper residue management, and occasional cover crops allows farmers to build a more sustainable and cost-effective system. As input costs rise and climate variability intensifies, rethinking fall tillage after soybeans may be one of the most practical shifts a grower can make.