Over the past few years, numerous benefits have been demonstrated for seeding annual ryegrass as a cover crop in a no-till system. However, another exciting benefit may be the use of this cover crop as an alternative method for controlling soybean cyst nematodes (SCN), which can cost a no-tiller as much as 15 bushels per acre in lost soybean yields.

When the board of the Pennsylvania No-Tillage Alliance spotted $25,000 in available grant funds to promote adoption of no-till, they swung into action. And they quickly upped the available dollars by partnering with farm equipment dealers and lenders to offer a comprehensive package to make no-till equipment more affordable and no-till more certain.

With no-tillers earning higher per-acre returns than farmers still relying on extensive tillage, many are looking for more land to farm. That’s why you’ll find the results of a recent survey of land prices based on fertility levels to be of special interest because of your no-till experiences.

In a move to further expand its seed trait business, Monsanto has announced the development and commercialization of linolenic soybeans. This new technology, announced in early September, will help overcome the serious trans-fat health problems that are facing the food industry.

Compared to conventional tillage, U.S. Department of Agricultural economists say, corn growers who follow a crop residue management (CRM) program not only minimize soil and chemical runoff but can sharply reduce costs.

After Frank Martin talked about cover crops at last winter’s 12th annual National No-Tillage Conference, we discussed the idea of utilizing no-till and cover crops on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land to pump needed dollars back into rural communities.

While John Pickle admits that no-tilling corn shallow will get the plants out of the ground faster, he maintains there are several other considerations to worry about when deciding how deep to plant.

At the conclusion of each of the previous seven National No-Tillage Conferences, we’ve asked attendees to share the major benefits of having attended. These benefits are similar to those which you can take home from attending the upcoming event at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, from January 12 to 15.