As farmers dial into determining where and when to push or scale back on seeding rates, strip-tillers have — on average — consistently planted lower populations than no-tillers for both corn and soybeans.

Precision farming tools are a part of many strip-tillers’ systems, and while technology often improves efficiency and productivity, it can also pose adoption challenges.

Touting a theme of ‘Green Future — Smart Technology,’ Agritechnica 2017 in Hannover, Germany, featured both progressive and pragmatic innovations. Precision technology was again a focal point with nearly 700 of the 2,800 exhibitors showcasing the latest hardware, software and other mechanical components.

Strip-tillers planting covers topped 60% for first time, with cereal rye being the most popular variety and drilling them the most popular method.

Total strip-tilled acres grew by more than 35,000, while average corn yields continued to increase, nearing a 200-bushel-per-acre average.

Trending growth in corn, soybean yields validated by increases in strip-till acres, cover crops and adoption of implement guidance technology.

When Kody Karloff transitioned from no-till to strip-till 2 years ago, he hoped the move would minimize early-season inconsistencies with corn and soybean emergence. Farming 3,200 acres of rolling hills and sloping ground in Yutan, Neb., one of the challenges Karloff encountered during 15 years of no-till was finding an ideal intersection between his planting window and field conditions.