Several potential problems must be considered that first year. The number 1 problem the crops, especially corn, likely will face is prairie voles. Voles, in fields which have vegetative cover maintained for more than a year prior to planting no-till, can severely reduce corn, soybean, or wheat plant stands. Mature voles are reddish-brown to gray, larger than a house or field mouse, but smaller than a rat. Voles' ears are very small and their bodies torpedo-shaped.
Voles require a full canopy cover for protection from predators.
Voles' worst enemy is the moldboard plow. It is the most effective tool in controlling rodents because it destroys voles' habitat. Chisel plowing is less effective. Plowing breaks up the heavy organic mat on the soil surface. If not plowed, the soil will remain cooler and wetter longer than normal as a result of the heavy cover of residue.