No-tillers already minimize fuel expenses by not pulling tillage equipment over their fields. But, given the exploding cost of fuel, it can’t hurt to note that we can save even more by ensuring that we’re operating our equipment as efficiently as possible throughout the growing season. Here’s a checklist to help ensure thoroughness in further reducing your costs.

Faster payoffs have accelerated the adoption of electronic tools like lightbars, yield monitors and automatic steering.

Soil scientist Richard Mulvaney and several colleagues at the University of Illinois believe they have developed a reliable way to determine the optimum nitrogen fertilizer application rate for crops.

Earlier this fall, Syngenta Crop Protection initiated an educational and promotional campaign built around a herbicide resistance management strategy that they've named 2-1-2. The numeric code (below) describes an approach in which no more than two applications of glyphosate are made to one field within a 2-year period.

A super lineup of no-tillers, researchers, suppliers and educators will share their best tactics, tips, tricks and techniques during the mid-January National No-Tillage Conference to help you no-till more profitably in 2006. Offering an extraordinary mixture of new, traditional and controversial ideas, they’ll zero in on what you’ve told us are your specific no-till wants and needs at this annual gathering of the no-till clan.