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Downsizing Downpressure

Among the dozens of ways to refine your no-till system, understanding and respecting downpressure can be a key to boosting yields and reducing unnecessary problems.

October 1, 2004 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

The Reed family members are some of no-till’s biggest advocates. But the Washington, Iowa, farmers don’t say no-tilling is the perfect, cookie-cutter method. Instead, they say, while no-till is the best way to be a good steward of the land and a profitable farmer, it does take some know-how.

Looking Down On Soil Life

What goes on in the top 2 inches of your no-tilled soil is especially important after the growing season.

By Dave Ernst posted on August 1, 2003 | Posted in Soil Health

When you walk across a no-till field, Jill Clapperton says you’re walking on the rooftop of a bustling community. No-tilled soils teem with life, and with the right management techniques, you can use these busy organisms to your benefit, says the the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada soil biologist stationed at the Lethbridge Research Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Earthworms Revisted for Effective No-Tilling

Earthworms are an extraordinary asset to the development of healthy soil.

By Frank Lessiter posted on June 1, 2003 | Posted in Soil Health

As far back as the days of Aristotle, worms were referred to as the intestines of the soil.

Making A Case For Ripping

While some readers don't feel ripping belongs in a no-till program, it works for this Iowa farmer.

By Lynn Grooms posted on September 1, 2001 | Posted in Residue Management

No-tillers may choose not to rip their soils, but some situations make a strong case for the practice, suggests Dean Holst, who farms 1,700 acres of hilly but productive ground near LeClaire, Iowa.

Frank Comments

Strip Till Vs. No-Till?

By Frank Lessiter posted on April 1, 2001 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Strip-Till Farming

While some readers feel fall or spring strip-tilling can overcome concerns about no-tilling corn, others aren't so sure that this is always the very best way to get the job done. Besides using no-till, many attendees at the National No-Tillage Conference in Cincinnati felt using residue conditioning machines could help expand the effectiveness of no-tilling corn

Zone-Till Questions You Need Answers To, But Didn’t Know Who To Ask

By Lynn Grooms posted on January 1, 2001

Because of growing interest in zone tillage, we asked Ray Rawson to answer the most frequently asked questions about this in-row tilling concept. A veteran no-tiller from Farwell, Mich., Rawson pioneered this unique reduced tillage system and also created the Zone-Builder subsoiler.

Tackling Tricky Soils

Understanding how soils work isn't an easy task. Here's the nitty gritty.

By Katherine Meitner posted on September 1, 2000 | Posted in Soil Health

As no-tillers, you don’t need anyone to tell you that no-tilling is the best thing you can do to ensure your soils are protected and are helping the environment.

The Benefits Of Cover Crops

September 1, 1998 | Posted in Crop Protection

No-tiller Steve Groff told attendees at the 1998 National No-Tillage Conference that cover crops provide his no-till operations with numerous benefits. Groff says cover crops:

Franks Comments

Get Set For Carbon Credits

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 1, 1998

For several years, there's been talk in western Canada about offering tax credits to no-till farmers who store additional carbon in the soil. A few years back, Canadian utility companies saw the concept as a way to offset huge penalties for atmospheric emissions from coal-powered electric plants.

Turn Up Heat On No-Till Corn With Fall Strip Tilling

No-Tillers are finding that mounding a strip of soil with or without deep placement of nutrients ahead of the planter can provide a warm, dry seedbed and help no-till corn get off to a faster start.

By Frank Lessiter posted on August 1, 1998 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Cliff Roberts has been fall strip tilling for a dozen years. The Kentland, Ind., farmer is pretty blunt about why he likes to fall strip till for no-tilled corn grown on silt loam soils.

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Farmer Sees 7% No-Till Corn Yield Bump with 20-Inch Rows

On this edition of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by CultivAce, longtime no-tiller Jim Leverich explains why 20-inch corn rows are paying off big time on his Sparta, Wis., farm.

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