Implementing a new tillage strategy in 2001 takes planning, and now is the perfect time to start. How you manage residue and tillage during and immediately after this year's harvest can influence the effectiveness of next year's tillage operations a great deal, especially if you plan to move to a conservation tillage system such as ridge-till, strip-till, or no-till. Conservation tillage practices not only help keep soil in place and improve water quality but also help conserve moisture.