Dietrich Kastens constantly evaluates technology to achieve clear-cut goals. The Herndon, Kan., no-tiller wants Kastens Inc. Farms to compete with the top third of farms in the Kansas Farm Management Database for lowest cost, planting intensity, farm size or expansion, and most importantly, profit.

With early season warmth, many no-tillers started planting very early this year. Now is a good time to go back and look at your planting calendar and begin to assess whether this early no-till planting worked for you or if waiting later to no-till may have been better.

Corn stalks puncturing new and slightly worn tires on the tractor and corn planter of Kansas no-tiller Terry Jacob pushed him to find a solution that would save money on tires.