Imagine an agricultural production system that functions as a conservation program, keeping land in production while providing potentially high yields, all at a relatively low cost. Say hello to no-till.

Doug Seltz transitioned to strip-till in fall 2008 after years of research and seeing improvements in strip-till equipment and technology.

Soil is an important part of our lives because it supports our food production. One of the most important components of our soil is organic matter. Plants that we no-till grow provide this organic matter and the nutrients which regenerate the soil.

With proper application of modern technology, farmers can afford to see their fields for just the rows.

Iowa no-till farmer Clay Mitchell shared his best tips on precision technologies that boost his crop yields at the University of Missouri Crop Management Conference, Dec. 2-3 in Columbia. "Controlled traffic helps create soil qualities in which we see higher yields," Mitchell said.

It has been a difficult fall for many no-till corn producers, as the harvest has been pushed later and later. And that has placed added pressure on fall and spring crop nutrition decisions.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are testing out alternative ways of tilling the soil and rotating crops to see if they can help wheat farmers in Oregon sequester more carbon in the soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.