Mike Lessiter

The No-Till Planter Race: Did IH Get There Before A-C?

International Harvester appears to have been the first to come to market with a no-till concept planter — 13 years before Allis-Chalmers’ model found commercial success in 1966. But IH exited production just 2 years later after only 23 shipments.

By Mike Lessiter posted on October 21, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment

As our staff was delving into research for the “Timeline of No-Till History," the No-Till Museum we’ll be bringing to the National No-Tillage Conference in Louisville, and an all-new history series planned in 2022 to mark the “triple crown” of no-till milestones, we discovered some mystery over the first no-till planter. And it’s the kind of discovery that’s sure to fuel additional debates. The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.

[Video] One-on-One with New NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr: Part 4

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 19, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

No-Till Farmer's Mike Lessiter met in Washington, D.C. on March 12th with the new NRCS Chief, Matthew Lohr. In part 4 of this video, Lohr highlights some of the benefits the NRCS district offices can offer farmers as well as the effects no-till farming has on managing carbon sequestration.

[Video] One-on-One with New NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr: Part 3

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 15, 2019 | Posted in Cover Crops

No-Till Farmer's Mike Lessiter met in Washington, D.C. on March 12th with the new NRCS Chief, Matthew Lohr. In part 3 of this video we discuss the adoption of no-till farming across the country and the incentives and cost sharing options available to farmers interested in making the change.

[Video] One-on-One with New NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr: Part 2

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 15, 2019 | Posted in Cover Crops

No-Till Farmer's Mike Lessiter met in Washington, D.C. on March 12th with the new NRCS Chief, Matthew Lohr. In part 2 of this video we discuss Lohr's usage of cover crops on his own farming operation and his views on the roadblocks the general farming population has with adopting the practice.

[Video] One-on-One with New NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr: Part 1

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 12, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

No-Till Farmer's Mike Lessiter met in Washington, D.C. on March 12th with the new NRCS Chief, Matthew Lohr. In part 1 of this video we share a segment of their conversation in which fifth-generation farmer Lohr discusses his family's Virginia farm, conservation standards and the new farming bill.

Frank Lessiter’s ‘History of No-Till Farming’ Book Hot off the Presses!

By Mike Lessiter posted on October 25, 2018

One fall morning, I was scooped up and walked to my mom’s Red Cutlass and put in the backseat alongside my dog. A few hours later, Mom hurried me upstairs and dropped me in a barren bedroom. “Sit here quietly until your sisters come get you,” I recall, about 15 minutes before I got into trouble for the first time in my new home.

[Podcast] The Shoulders on Which We Stand ... The Living Legends of No-Till History

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast series, brought to you by Topcon Agriculture, we hear directly from Frank Lessiter, long-time editor of No-Till Farmer, who has covered no-tillage for 45 years.

By Frank Lessiter and Mike Lessiter posted on July 27, 2017 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment, Soil Health

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast series, brought to you by Topcon Agriculture, we hear directly from Frank Lessiter, long-time editor of No-Till Farmer, who has covered no-tillage for 45 years.

Elusive Strip-Till Market, Acreage Defined

3.6 million acres of corn were strip-tilled in 2007, a No-Till Farmer survey revealed.

By Mike Lessiter posted on May 1, 2008 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

It's clear from the introductions at farm shows over the last few years that strip-till is growing in use.

Frank Comments

Paraquat Ban In Europe?

By Mike Lessiter posted on October 1, 2007 | Posted in Crop Protection

Following an unprecedented court action in Sweden, it is possible that paraquat might soon be banned throughout the entire European Union.

Purchasing A Sprayer: Demystifying The Payback

Because many farmers have relied on custom applicators, justifying a sprayer investment is a new exercise. Here are some considerations, and tools, to help make an informed decision.

By Mike Lessiter posted on August 1, 2007 | Posted in Equipment

Unlike many pieces of farm equipment, a sprayer is not something that Dad or Granddad absolutely had to buy. When spraying became common to cropping operations, there was an opportunity to outsource it to a custom applicator and avoid tying up the capital and adding to the responsibilities of the already over-worked farmer.

Articles by Mike Lessiter

The No-Till Planter Race: Did IH Get There Before A-C?

[Video] One-on-One with New NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr: Part 4

[Video] One-on-One with New NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr: Part 3

[Video] One-on-One with New NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr: Part 2

[Video] One-on-One with New NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr: Part 1

Frank Lessiter’s ‘History of No-Till Farming’ Book Hot off the Presses!

[Podcast] The Shoulders on Which We Stand ... The Living Legends of No-Till History

Elusive Strip-Till Market, Acreage Defined

Paraquat Ban In Europe?

Purchasing A Sprayer: Demystifying The Payback

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