The widespread use of herbicides in Argentina led by the adoption of glyphosate has pulled the country out of the agricultural slump it experienced in the 1980s, according to a CropLife Foundation study.
In many cases, no-till reduced erosion by 90% from 10 or more tons per hectare, according to the study. A decrease in fuel and labor costs caused production costs to fall, and soybean yields in Argentina increased 11% between 1991 and 2008 due to the adoption of glyphosate and other affordable herbicides.
Between 1991 and 2008, production costs decreased $4.7 billion and gross income climbed $12 billion because of the adoption of no-till practices. Combined with the $17 billion cumulative benefit of reduced global prices of consumer products using soybean and maize, the adoption of herbicides in Argentina have led to $30 billion in economic benefits, according to the study.
Soil water accumulation increased 4 inches by using no-till methods, which expanded soybean and maize acreage into less-than-favorable areas.
Argentinean farmers had traditionally used tillage to remove weeds from fields. However, this caused a significant decrease in soil nutrients, soil organic matter, soil structure and moisture and increased erosion.
Once Argentine researchers presented evidence of the benefits of herbicide use and no-till, farmers began to expand their use of crop protection products, in particular glyphosate.
The country’s farmers formed a new organization, the Argentinean No Till Farmers Association, to promote no-till adoption. According to the CropLife Foundation, hey saw an opportunity to increase their total production and supply both domestically and globally.