Articles by John Dobberstein

Cover Crops Vs. Tile: Which Is The Best?

In the spring, cover crops might serve as a less-expensive alternative to tile systems for drying out fields. But tile has its own perks, and the two systems may be best working together.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops, Water Management

With crop prices and farm incomes at record levels, many no-tillers have been pouring substantial sums of money into improving drainage.

Drought Continues Across Corn Belt

By John Dobberstein posted on October 17, 2012 | Posted in Water Management

Even though temperatures have cooled and rainfall has eased drought conditions in some parts of the Corn Belt, worries about drought conditions remain elsewhere.

November 2012 Poll: Fall Herbicide Applications in 2012

By John Dobberstein posted on October 16, 2012 | Posted in Crop Protection

From October 16th, 2012 - November 15th, 2012, we asked No-Till Farmer readers: "Will you make herbicide applications this fall to any of your planned crop acreage for 2013?"

‘Quadbaler’ Swaths And Bales In One Pass

Washington no-tiller Byron Seney created an attachment that let him fasten a draper header to a tractor to swath and windrow wheat stubble for his baler.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 1, 2012 | Posted in Equipment, Residue Management

A Washington no-tiller has designed an attachment that allows him to use a draper header on his tractor to swath and bale wheat stubble in one pass.

Cover Crops: Starting Is The First Step

The right covers can transform tough soils, but no-tillers must fight past early challenges to find what works on their farm, Terry Taylor says.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 1, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops

Terry Taylor has spent much of his adult life figuring out how to unlock the potential of cover crops on his southern Illinois farm.

Recent Rainfall, Early Harvest May Bring Flush Of Fall Weeds

Properly applied fall burndown herbicides can control quick-hitting winter annuals and provide some residual protection, making for cleaner no-till fields ahead of planting next spring.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 1, 2012 | Posted in Crop Protection

Due to some late-summer rainfall and an early harvest this year in many states, no-tillers who aren’t seeding cover crops may want to beef up their fall weed-control program to help keep fields clean for next year.

October 2012 Poll: 2012 Presidential Election

By John Dobberstein posted on September 16, 2012

From September 16th, 2012 - October 15th, 2012, we asked No-Till Farmer readers: "Which presidential candidate do you plan to vote for in the 2012 general election?"

Weather To Change In 2013

By John Dobberstein posted on September 5, 2012 | Posted in Soil Health, Water Management

Just when you thought scorching droughts were becoming the “new normal” in agriculture, a weather-research firm told the farm media at last week’s Farm Progress Show that 2013 will likely be nothing like 2012.

5 Steps To Boost No-Till Wheat Yields

Controlling weeds and head scab, and hiking seeding and nitrogen rates may help no-tillers find an edge with winter wheat.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 1, 2012 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

When it comes to no-tilling winter wheat, there’s no cookie-cutter approach to making it work, says University of Kentucky researcher Lloyd Murdock.

A Path To Rejuvenate Drought-Stricken Corn Acres

Carefully chosen cover crops could scavenge nitrogen for next year’s crop, keep weeds in check and stimulate soil biology.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 1, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops, Water Management

No-tillers who abandoned corn acres in the U.S. this year due to the historic drought could turn a negative into a positive by planting cover crops on those fields.

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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.

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