Higher input prices and lower prices for corn and soybeans will likely hurt farm profitability in 2009, but University of Illinois economist Gary Schnitkey forecasts a brighter future for farmers.

Today’s stronger, heavier equipment is designed to cut and handle residue, penetrate soil to your desired seeding depth, get proper seed-to-soil contact and close the seed-vee. With these four functions in mind, University of Nebraska engineer Paul Jasa says you need to evaluate your no-till planter early in the spring while you have time to make adjustments or buy attachments.

More and more growers each year are no-tilling soybeans. If you are not already planting your soybeans no-till, University of Illinois Natural Resources educator Bob Frazee says there are seven important reasons why you may want to consider no-tilling them next spring.