When talking with farmers, some will refer to their strip-till system as a "gateway" from conventional-tillage practices to no-till. They'll often talk about the versatility that strip-till provides for retaining valuable residue cover, while also loosening less-forgiving areas of a field for more efficient planting and fertilization.

Finding the right mix and method for incorporating cover crops into a strip-till system is a work in progress for many farmers. Some have figured out a successful blend, while others have abandoned cover crops entirely in search of other alternatives to preserve nutrients and soil moisture.