I have seen little to no discussion about the positive moisture effects of the residue/cover...which seems to me to be the key.

If the cover/residue works in no-till to protect the surface from drying so badly, why would not the same thing occur in a cover crop that effectively goes dormant until the commodity plant drops leaves and allows sunlight to awaken the cover?

I realize the cover will use some water.........but how much more is saved by allowing the surface to be kept cooler during late July and Aug?

Seems to me the studies need to address this difference.........as compared to "no covers vs using covers".

So.........seems to me the conventional till guys ought to be salivating over these studies----------- no-till not so much, because they supposedly have these benefits from residue already.

And........haven't you, Loran, been doing some water capacity/usage tests?