Tillage systems create different growing conditions that can influence crop performance. Dry pea and lentil variety performance differences are not well researched in tillage systems. This study compares variety performance of dry pea and lentil in a replicated conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) comparison near Genesee, Idaho in 2001 to 2004. Combined over four years and eight cultivars, peas vines were 5.3 cm longer in CT than in NT and pea seed yields were higher (2490 kg ha^-1) in CT than in NT (2270 kg ha^-1). Cultivars and years were different for plant stand, vine length, canopy height, seed yield and weight. There was an interaction of tillage and cultivar for vine length; and year, tillage, and cultivar for seed yield. As yields varied by as much as two times year to year, the varieties ‘Joel', ‘Karita', and ‘Rex' were most variable and contributed to the three way interaction. Other varieties were more consistent for yield. Although pea seed weight was not different for tillage, in parallel spring wheat and barley experiments seed weights were higher in NT than CT, but yields were not different. In 2004, lentil seed yields were 2280 kg ha^-1 in CT and 2170 kg ha^-1 in NT, but there were no significant interactions or differences between tillage treatments for yield, seed weight, plant stand, or plant height. For all parameters, lentil varieties performed differently. Grain legumes can be important components of NT cropping systems, but achieving good yields will take consistent, high yielding varieties and management for good crop growth.