I didn't realize you had terraces in the southwest part of the state. I figured your slopes were gentle enough to be farmed without them.  I can understand how terraces would be challenging.

A good friend and I have had the moisture discussion before.  Personally, I think it is much less of an issue that people make it out to be.  My soil can hold at most 2" of usable water in the top foot.  The cultivator is really only going 1.5-2" deep and is disturbing at most 2/3 of the soil and usually only 50-60%.  Using those figures the maximum amount of moisture I could give up is .11".  Your soil profile is different than mine and you are in a drier climate but if you're going after weeds they will use way more moisture than you will give up with the cultivator.