No-tillers growing non-biotech crops in which genetically modified crops are also growing due to wind-blown pollen or volunteer plants from a previous year’s seeds are liable to be sued by Monsanto Company, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Food Safety. So are no-tillers who grow biotech crops without signing Monsanto’s technology agreement, the group says.

Three outstanding individuals and an exceptional group earned 2004 No-Till Innovator Awards for their contributions toward advancing no-till farming. The ninth annual awards, sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection and No-Till Farmer, were presented in four categories: consulting, crop production, research and education, and organization.

An unexpected Phillips rotary harrow was a good fit this year for Foundation Feeders, located near Spring Grove, Minn. Jim Holty, a partner with his brother Ron in the custom heifer raising service, won a year’s use of the harrow at the 2004 National No-Tillage Conference in Des Moines. Jim manages the agronomy side of the business while Ron concentrates on the livestock operation.

Making the rounds of exhibitors at the late August Farm Progress Show in Iowa, No-Till Farmer editors spotted a number of products from shortline manufacturers that may work in your operation.