| I would also add that firm soil does not necessarily mean you have compacted soil.
Likewise, a 6-10" layer of fluffy soil does not necessarily mean that you don't have compaction.
Corn roots can/will grow very well in firm (but not packed) soil, corn roots do not like density changes like what you have under the tillage depth. Firm soil will carry loads from tractors, combines and sprayers well. Fluffy soil gets packed back down to its firm state.
Tillage can be a necessary evil but if you're trying to take out the same compaction every year, it might be time to rethink things.
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This is why tillage is necessary (here)
