Articles by John Dobberstein

Getting Fields Back in Shape: Tips for Dealing with Flooded Soils

Whether it’s the Carolinas, the Corn Belt or the Northeast, growers falling victim to late-season flooding have their work cut out for them to plan for spring recovery

By John Dobberstein posted on October 29, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health, Water Management

When catastrophic flooding occurs, the potential losses don’t just involve no-tilled crops, but the soil as well.

Wildfire Threat, Solution for Control Not a Friend to No-Tillers

By John Dobberstein and Kim Schmidt posted on October 10, 2024 | Posted in Residue Management, Soil Health

Drought conditions, paired with high winds, are causing an increased fire threat. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of the High Plains are in some level of drought. At the same time, corn harvest is ongoing and there’s always a risk of an equipment-related fire could start.

Profiles of Leading Equipment & Input Manufacturers Serving North American No-Tillers

Your Guide to Industry Suppliers

By John Dobberstein posted on October 8, 2024 | Posted in Equipment

On behalf of the No-Till Farmer editorial team, we’re pleased to bring you Profiles in Ag Suppliers — a special compilation that you can turn to time and again as you evaluate your many choices in our vibrant agricultural equipment industry.

Coming Back ‘Home’ to No-Tillers Never Felt Better

I’ll be putting my energies to work, along with our editorial staff, to make the No-Till Farmer properties even better than they are now.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 8, 2024

Sometimes you just know when you’re “home,” and I’m proud to say that after a three-year hiatus I am back working for you as senior editor of the Growers Division at Lessiter Media.

Industry News

Port Strike Another Potential Blow to No-Tillers

By John Dobberstein posted on October 1, 2024 | Posted in Equipment

With no labor deal in sight, the agricultural industry is rushing headlong into economic straits due to the International Longshoremen’s Association port strike that began Tuesday, and the effects could be felt across the farming landscape from delayed exports of grain to certain markets and delayed import of inputs, equipment and other items.

The Most Iconic Covers in No-Till Farmer’s Storied History

Here are some of the best covers No-Till Farmer has published as the magazine celebrates its 50th anniversary.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 21, 2021

It’s often been said that a magazine cover is where editors announce their intentions. And our intention over our 50 years of history has been to provide no-tillers with both practical, meat-and-potatoes articles and in-depth content on emerging trends and practices meant to stretch the mind.

The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.

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.

No-Till Passport Series

Helping Zambia Reach its ‘Huge’ Farming Potential

A longtime Australian no-tiller and former speaker at the National No-Tillage Confernce is playing a major role in an organization determined to help Africa adopt modern farming methods.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 7, 2021

A longtime Australian no-tiller and former speaker at the National No-Tillage Confernce is playing a major role in an organization determined to help Africa adopt modern farming methods.

Working Through Challenges with Cover Crops in Sticky Soils

Strip-tilled crops and cover crops are taking hold on Neil White’s Scotland farm, although wet weather, compaction and pest pressure still cause plenty of challenges.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 1, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

2021 has seen me — after 5 years of direct drilling — drill malting spring barley into oats for the first time. I had a big volunteer oat crop due to cutting wet oats at harvest, which I left into winter.

FROM THE DESK OF JOHN DOBBERSTEIN

Residue Helps You Save Water, Fertilizer Costs

By John Dobberstein posted on August 26, 2021

I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it bears repeating: keeping residue on your fields will save water and reduce fertilizer costs.

Current Issue

No-Till Farmer

Get full access NOW to the most comprehensive, powerful and easy-to-use online resource for no-tillage practices. Just one good idea will pay for your subscription hundreds of times over.

Subscribe Now

5 Takeaways After 35 Years of No-Tilling

How Weeds Handle the Drought

5 Ways No-Till, Covers Hold Soil Moisture

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

Sustainable Agriculture Summit Shines Light on No-Till, Strip Till & Cover Crops

During the Sustainable Agriculture Summit in Minneapolis, Minn., Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, the president of Field to Market who also farms in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio, shared why it is important for no-tillers and strip-tillers to share their knowledge with other farmers.

Top Directory Listings

Needham Ag Technologies, LLC

Needham Ag understands the role of technology in making better use of limited resources within a specific environment by drawing on a wealth of global experience to overcome the challenges facing today's farmers, manufacturers and dealers.

Titan International, Inc

Titan offers a full line of wheels, tires and undercarriage products for a wide variety of off-the-road equipment.

The Andersons PureGrade

The Andersons grows enduring relationships through extraordinary service, a deep knowledge of the market, and a knack for finding new ways to add value as we have done for nearly 70 years.