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Reminiscing on No-Till’s Revolution

Four no-till pioneers share how they’ve seen the practice change over the last few decades and what factors will play a role in its future.
By Laura Barrera posted on October 20, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Soil Health

It’s been 50 years since No-Till Farmer launched, and a lot has influenced the practice in those five decades. From equipment and chemical innovations to government influence to cover crops and the soil health movement, many factors have impacted no-till — both good and bad. 

The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.
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No-Tillers Practice the Art of ‘Covering Up’ for Decades

Over the years, no-tillers have led the way in seeding cover crops to boost soil health and capitalize on the many benefits they can bring to their farming operations.
By No-Till Farmer Staff posted on October 20, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

The way some government agencies and ag groups are promoting cover crops these days, you’d think it was a brand-new idea. While cover crops are a hot topic, it’s not because of any major research breakthroughs or being brand new on the ag scene. 


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Golden Age No-Tillers: Legacy Lessons From Early Adopters

By Martha Mintz posted on October 19, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment, Crop Protection, Residue Management, Nutrient Management, Soil Health, Water Management
With no-till as a practice having been around for 60 years now, and No-Till Farmer for 50, we wanted to find out if we had readers who have been using the practice consistently for that long. The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.
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Editorial Viewpoint

Impacts and Insights of Influential No-Tillers

Our editors hear amazing stories from no-tillers every day, but not every quote or anecdote makes it into print for one reason or another. Here, we chronicle a handful of tales from our encounters that have made a lasting impression.
By John Dobberstein, Julia Gerlach, and Sarah Hill posted on October 18, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Soil Health

When I came to No-Till Farmer, I knew little about production agriculture other than what I gleaned during summer trips during the 1980s to my uncle’s small farm in western Michigan.


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No-Till's Historical Highlights (Through 2021)

With more than 75 new updates, this historical record identifies what built no-till into a profitable farming practice now embraced on 110 million U.S. acres.
By No-Till Farmer Staff posted on October 18, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment, Crop Protection, Residue Management, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture, Soil Health

Success with no-tillage — a radical change in farming from conventional methods — was anything but assured when it got its commercial start 60 years ago. But success came, thanks to the vision, courage and dogged determination shared by many — and from every corner imaginable.


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Two Roads to Farming’s Future: What to Choose?

Veteran ag economist John Ikerd says U.S. agriculture may need to look at a more integrated approach to the challenges it faces with growing public concern over environmental and social issues.
By Dan Crummett posted on October 16, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Precision Agriculture, Soil Health

Long-time ag economist John Ikerd says U.S. agriculture is at a major crossroads with significant changes in the offing, but he says no-till farming will be important regardless of the ultimate future direction of the industry.


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[Podcast] The Impact of Water, Tillage and Cover Crops on Soil Health

For this No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, we caught up with Anthony Bly, Soils Field Specialist with South Dakota State University Extension. In an interview with associate editor Sarah Hill, Anthony discusses the interconnected relationship between water and soil, how cover crops fit into profitable cropping systems, the importance of minimal soil disturbance and more.
By Julia Gerlach posted on October 14, 2021 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health, Water Management
For this No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, we caught up with Anthony Bly, Soils Field Specialist with South Dakota State University Extension. In an interview with associate editor Sarah Hill, Anthony discusses the interconnected relationship between water and soil, how cover crops fit into profitable cropping systems, the importance of minimal soil disturbance and more.
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USDA Launches First Phase of Soil Carbon Monitoring Efforts through CRP Initiative

October 12, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $10 million in a new initiative to sample, measure and monitor soil carbon on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to better quantify the climate outcomes of the program. The initiative will begin implementation in fall 2021 with three partners who will conduct soil carbon sampling on three categories of CRP practice types: perennial grasses, trees and wetlands.


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