That is indeed the case. Your question is very pertinent.
I would quickly like to recall the report on soil conservation published by the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in 1984. It is called “Soil at Risk: Canada's Eroding Future”, or the Sparrow Report. Perhaps you have seen the document, which certainly had an effect on the development of zero tillage in the 1980s.
We are aware that, in the west, the practice is now almost the norm. Even in Quebec, it involves a little more than 50% of the land. Specifically, the dominant rotation is corn-soybeans. In general, soybeans lend themselves to no-till better, but, unfortunately, they leave very little crop residue on the surface of the soil. Moreover, if farm fertilizers are not added, we see an increased loss of phosphorous in the surface run-off.
Direct seeding really is an interesting approach but you have to consider diversifying or improving the rotation. Earlier, I talked about introducing small grains, for example. Unfortunately, they have been in a significant decline, particularly wheat and barley. Certainly, a very interesting market can be developed, with benefits for soil conservation. That is so for winter grain in Quebec, for example, where the climate will be better. As a result, other cover crops can be introduced, because the practice is much less effective with soybeans and corn.