Tillage and soil fertility

Recently there has been much promotion of no-till. In conventional farming that predictably involves the use of Roundup (Glyphosate), with all the associated effects on the embryology of amphibians, being labelled as a probable carcinogen by the WHO and a recent report from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study which identfies a potential impact on glucose metabolism. Weed resistance to Glyphosate has now been found in the UK, at least 5 weed species are resistant in Argentina, resulting higher application rates and resort to even more poisenous brushwood weedkillers. Somehow the regenerative farming movement in the UK deem Roundup to be acceptable, some even spraying the crop just before harvest for desiccation. If that doesn't put you off your muesli I don't know what will.

A recent report on the Organic Research Centre website shows some of the problems of Roundup and that truly regenerative farming is organic https://www.organicresearchcentre.com/news-events/new-report-reveals-us-no-tills-massive-pesticide-problem/

The debate about tillage in organic farming is ongoing. We had an interesting session at the Oxford Real Farming Conference in which we heard that there is no successful organic arable farm operating no-till in the UK over the long term, most are using a shallow plough or non-inversion tillage system. There may be some potential to extend the rotation with living mulches. Perhaps most significant is the fact that tillage is actualy positive for soil fertility, ensuring good soil structure, mobilising nutrients and stablising soil carbon in a more stable form, known as humus.

A recording of the session is available here https://orfc.org.uk/session/the-role-of-tillage-science-and-best-practice