Annville, Pa., no-tiller Zach Alger learned how to grow high-yielding crops during his 20 years in the custom farming business. That knowledge propelled him to 1st place in the NCGA High Yield Contest with a 318-bu. corn yield in the no-till non-irrigated category. Alger shares a formula that includes early harvests, planter modifications and multiple manure applications, and key observations from the high-yielding no-till plot that altered how he manages his 800-acre farm.

You’ll Learn: 3 reasons why early harvesting leads to higher yields & how to get the most bang for your buck with manure.

The 33rd Annual National No-Tillage Conference returns to Louisville on Jan. 7-10, 2025. Whether you're new to no-till or refining your system, this event delivers fast-paced learning from top no-till farmers, agronomists and experts. With over 12 General Sessions, 23 expert-led Classrooms and 34 Roundtables to choose from, plus opportunities to earn pesticide recertification and CCA credits, the 2025 No-Till Conference is a must-attend event for anyone looking to enhance their no-till farming practices.

View the full speaker agenda and topics here.

For more information about the 2025 National No-Tillage Conference, to register for the event and to book your hotel room visit no-tillfarmer.com/nntc. Use code SPEAKER50 for $50 off your registration.

Annville, Pa., no-tiller Zach Alger placed 1st in the NCGA High Yield Contest in Pennsylvania with a 318-bu. Corn yield in the no-till non-irrigated category. He is the owner of Clear Springs Hollow Farm, where he harvests 5,000 acres of soybeans and wheat per year, spanning 7 counties in Pennsylvania. He grows 800 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and forage crops on owned and leased ground. He manages a breeding herd of around 30 cow/calf pairs.