“As we deal with tougher economic times, we’re faced with managing nitrogen better than ever before,” maintains Allen Sutton of Agrotain International in Corydon, Ky.

As no-tillers strive for higher yields, they're no-tilling earlier every year - often in cold soils that leave seed more vulnerable to insects and diseases. In colder soils, there's also less microbial action to break down nutrients and get them into a plant-available form.

With some midwestern no-tillers facing concerns with cold and wet soils, building fall strips may be a good way to dry out and warm up these problem soils before no-tilling in the spring.

Since soil organic matter is extremely important for no-till success, it's definitely to your benefit to leave all of your crop residue in the field. Not only does higher soil organic matter encourage a slow-release source of nutrients, but it will also improve the structure of your soils.

When the hunters track across Jerry Lamp's fields in November, they wonder why the no-till soybeans haven't been combined. If they look closer, they'll find there aren't any beans or pods-only stems.

While final details of the new 6-year federal Farm Bill were still being worked out as this was written, new soil conservation incentive payments may encourage more farmers to use less tillage.

Phosphorus management is best understood by balancing the close-up view against the big picture.