Articles by John Dobberstein

Roller System Kills Covers, Plants Corn In One Pass

No-tiller’s homemade planter rolls and crimp covers and eliminates a spring burndown trip.

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

A Pennsylvania no-tiller has created a special system for his corn planter that rolls and crimps cover crops and plants in one pass.

No-Till Eases Environmental And Food-Production Challenges

By John Dobberstein posted on June 20, 2012

Many farmers are no-tilling because it’s profitable for them and because they feel it’s the right thing to do. But have you ever watched your neighbors pound their fields with tillage equipment and, in a weak moment, think twice about your decision?

July 2012 Poll: Vertical-Tillage Tools

By John Dobberstein posted on June 16, 2012 | Posted in Equipment

From June 16th, 2012 - July 15th, 2012, we asked No-Till Farmer readers: "How do you use vertical-tillage tools on your farm?"

New ‘Tweaks’ Pay Off For North Carolina No-Tillers

Embracing residue, better equipment and adding precision technology provides a buffer and boosts yields at Four S Farms.

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

Switching to no-till and investing in precision technology has helped Jason Starnes get more consistency out of the sloping, clay-dominated fields on his family’s North Carolina farm.

June 2012 Poll: Timing of Corn Planting for 2012

By John Dobberstein posted on May 16, 2012 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

From May 16th, 2012 - June 15th, 2012, we asked No-Till Farmer readers: "Considering the warm March, and the cool spell that followed, how do you feel about the timing of your corn planting this year?"

Slugs Active Following Cool, Wet Conditions In Spring

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

Apparently, the switch to cool, rainy weather in some states this spring after a balmy March didn’t do no-tillers a favor.

Taking The Pressure Off No-Till Fields

Growing use of super-sized farm equipment is fueling compaction concerns, but new technology and some common-sense tips about tire pressure can help protect yields and profits.

By John Dobberstein posted on May 1, 2012 | Posted in Equipment, Soil Health

As farms increase in size and no-tillers face pressure to be more efficient and productive, the size of farm equipment is bringing an ever-present danger of compaction.

Tankmixes: The Future Of Weed Control Is Here

No-tillers can protect herbicide effectiveness and control weeds by using diverse modes of action and the correct adjuvants.

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

As no-tillers learn to reduce their exclusive dependence on glyphosate for weed control, their operation’s future profitability may depend on their ability to tankmix herbicides with diverse modes of action.

Surviving The Weed Crisis: Life Beyond Glyphosate

For no-tillers to preserve their way of farming, they’ll need more diverse weed-control programs that include the use of residual herbicides.

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

With hundreds of no-tillers looking on, Bryan Young showed no-tillers last winter some PowerPoint slides that spelled out a troubling end game: In state after state, glyphosate-resistant weeds have been winning the battle for crop acres.

Highly Erodible Land A Main Reason For Choosing No-Till For Some

By John Dobberstein posted on April 18, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection, Soil Health

After spending 2 days last week visiting farms in central North Carolina, it was apparent that no-tillers have a special respect for their farmland, and what can happen if it isn’t cared for.

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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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