NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Leaving crop residue standing after harvest or a failed crop can deliver meaningful soil and economic benefits, while shredding or plowing stubble often works against both goals. That’s the message from Dr. Calvin Trostle, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agronomist, who says many producers still underestimate the value of existing residue.
Trostle notes that standing stubble serves as a free “dead cover crop,” protecting soil from wind erosion, improving water capture, and reducing surface crusting without requiring additional moisture or inputs. Shredding residue, by contrast, loosens leaves that are more likely to blow away and typically costs about $10 per acre with no measurable return.
Research and field experience indicate that incorporating residue through tillage has little effect on long-term soil organic matter. Instead, leaving root systems intact under minimal tillage yields the greatest gains in soil health. Even low-biomass crops such as cotton and sunflower can provide erosion protection when left standing.
Trostle encourages producers to focus on planting into residue using adjusted equipment rather than removing valuable ground cover.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Standing crop residue protects soil and saves money — shredding often yields little benefit at a higher cost.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln President Dr. Jeffrey Gold talks about heart health and preventive care for viewers in rural communities.
February 04, 2026 02:05 PM
·
Jeramy Stephens of National Land Realty breaks down current trends in the farmland real estate market and how landowners should consider water availability and its impact on land values as they plan for the year ahead.
February 04, 2026 01:57 PM
·
As cattle markets show renewed strength, producers gathering at CattleCon are focused on protecting operations, managing risk, and positioning for opportunity in the year ahead.
February 04, 2026 01:41 PM
·
Mexico has fallen behind by several hundred thousand acre-feet in required water deliveries to the United States, a shortfall that has had devastating consequences across the Rio Grande Valley.
February 04, 2026 12:23 PM
·
Modest rate relief may come late in 2026, but borrowing costs are likely to stay elevated.
February 04, 2026 11:23 AM
·
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas discusses expected changes to the 45Z tax credit and what they could mean for agriculture and rural America.
February 04, 2026 11:13 AM
·
