Removing limitations to yield for long-term no-till arable crops

This farmer-led project investigates why yields in long-term no-till arable systems often plateau or decline, despite improved soil structure, biology, and sustainability. Solving this riddle will help to increase production and productivity in regenerative agriculture systems.

The project is led by leading regenerative farmers Simon Cowell, John Cherry and Andrew Howard, working with Rothamsted Research and the Agronomy Research Circle to understand and overcome this challenge.

The project will explore possible explanations of the observed yield limitation (often untypically seen with headlands outyielding in-field), including nutrient lock-up by active soil biology, stratified acidic or calcite layers, insufficient consolidation, poor nutrient distribution, or the build-up of herbicide residues and phyto-toxins.

Over two years, the team will use a mix of simple and advanced tools to assess soil and crop conditions and run replicated field trials testing interventions such as rolling, light cultivation, liming, and improved crop nutrition.

Findings will be shared widely through FarmPEP, Groundswell and other farmer networks to support practical decision-making and innovation across the regenerative farming community.

The goal is to improve yields, resilience, and confidence in no-till systems while maintaining soil health and progressing towards sustainable and profitable arable farming.