While some sacrifices are required, more no-tillers are putting down fertilizer with the planter to reduce field passes, boost nutrient efficiency and improve soil health.
The push to increase productivity and yields in agriculture has convinced an increasing number of no-tillers to explore one-pass planting and fertilizing systems.
For Shawn McRae, more than two decades of onfarm research shows that thinking holistically about no-till soil health isn’t just a feel-good decision — it puts more crops in the bin and, more importantly, more money in the bank.
After years of helping countless farmers make a lot of money, I finally decided to try and make a go of it myself. In 2007 I bought 7,000 acres of farmable ground in northeast Morawa, Australia, and am now officially a no-till farmer and consultant.
While no-tillers continue to enjoy some of the highest grain prices in recent history, it’s clear that they need those prices to stay high, judging by their 2011 expense sheet.
Onfarm research, equipment setups and deep placement of fertilizer are among the tools that helped three no-tillers improve their nutrient management and profitability on their farms, and also win admiration from their peers.
The recent volatility in fertilizer prices has many Midwestern farmers delaying their fertilizer purchases, which could have repercussions that beyond spring planting.
I recently attended the 20th annual National No-Tillage Conference (NNTC) in St. Louis, where more than 900 people came to network and absorb useful tips for improving their no-till systems.
With the world expected to need twice as much food to keep 10 billion people from going hungry by 2050, we’re going to have to dramatically increase our yields.
With the world expected to need twice as much food to keep 10 billion people from going hungry by 2050, we’re going to have to dramatically increase our yields.
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On this edition of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by CultivAce, Gregg Sanford, Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial manager, reveals how no-till is stacking up to other major systems in year 34 of the trial.
Needham Ag understands the role of technology in making better use of limited resources within a specific environment by drawing on a wealth of global experience to overcome the challenges facing today's farmers, manufacturers and dealers.
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