When Randy Raper was touring rural Paraguay in 1997, he probably didn’t realize that a device he saw might become a useful tool for no-tillers who want to better manage their cover crops.

When it comes to farming, Daniel Davidson gets to see it from two perspectives.

More than 25 years ago, Bob Kannall bought his first no-till corn planter.

When people ask why I was the first farmer in our area of southeastern Iowa to start no-tilling 28 years ago, I answer that it was bred into me to control soil erosion any way I can — including extensive use of terraces and grass waterways. I couldn’t bear to see all that soil running into streams and rivers. I knew I had to do something to keep that from happening.

No-tillers descended upon central Iowa at the end of August to see the latest equipment and production tools during the annual Farm Progress Show. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the new products or technologies seen and talked about during the 3-day event.

When you have a spring season like 2008, you can understand why some growers make an effort to apply at least some of their nitrogen in the fall. But just because you get your nitrogen applied before winter flies, that doesn’t mean it will all be there next spring and summer when your corn needs it.

In-plant insect protection has long been helping corn producers sleep better at night — comfortable in the knowledge that their fields are safe from at least some of the yield-robbing threats they face.