Precision farming tools are a part of many strip-tillers’ systems, and while technology often improves efficiency and productivity, it can also pose adoption challenges.

Our editors assembled a diverse group of farmers at the 4th Annual National Strip-Tillage Conference in Omaha, Neb., to discuss strategies, objectives and outcomes of utilizing precision farming systems. This also included influencing factors when making precision purchases and the significance of having a reliable support network.

At the table were Kerry and Angela Knuth from Mead, Neb., Jeff Reints from Shell Rock, Iowa, Tim Leischner from Parkston, S.D., and Chad Huedepohl from NovAtel. Below are excerpts from the conversation, and you can listen to a podcast of the conversation at: www.StripTillFarmer.com/podcast.

Q: What are some of the precision tools and strip-till strategies you have utilized on your farm? 

Kerry Knuth: “We’ve been strip-tilling all of our corn since 2005 and before that, we were doing full tillage. We also no-till our soybeans. We transitioned into strip-till with a triple-coulter system and I liked it, putting nutrients in the strip. We were working with a 12-row strip-till rig and a 36-row planter, so we definitely needed technology to stay on those strips in spring. 

“At the time, we were at about 4-inch accuracy and when we…