Articles by John Dobberstein

Cutting-Edge Drainage Tools Give No-Till A Boost

New technologies and methods are helping growers manage moisture levels in their fields and improve the timeliness of farming operations.

By John Dobberstein posted on August 1, 2011 | Posted in Precision Agriculture, Water Management

With wet weather in recent years creating poor field conditions and delaying planting and harvesting, drainage is becoming an even more critical tool.

Where Ag Tires Fear To Tread

Corn genetics and changing farm practices are to blame for cornstalks destroying agricultural tires. But there are some solutions.

By John Dobberstein posted on August 1, 2011 | Posted in Equipment, Residue Management

Sudden downtime is the enemy of any productive farmer, and the sources of trouble these days aren’t just mechanical in nature. No-tillers are fighting a pitched battle with cornstalks that are eroding or puncturing tires on their tractors, combines, sprayers and other equipment.

Fending Off Nematodes In No-Till Cornfields

Nematodes threaten the profitability of many growers’ corn, but Bayer CropScience agronomist Ray Knake shares tools and tips that can minimize the damage.

By John Dobberstein posted on July 1, 2011 | Posted in Crop Protection

The microscopic, yield-robbing pests known as nematodes may be causing more damage to U.S. cornfields than experts previously thought.

Planting Conditions Improve, Grain Futures Trade Mixed

By John Dobberstein posted on June 14, 2011 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Corn prices dipped Tuesday after the USDA released its weekly Crop Progress report showing showed planting conditions improved last week for many states.

Conquering The Fertility Challenge

Crop scouting, onfarm research and GIS-based data analysis could help no-tillers meet world grain demand and increase their farm’s profitability, Harold Reetz says.

By John Dobberstein posted on June 1, 2011 | Posted in Nutrient Management

In the last last 40 years, growers have learned how to boost crop production while mining nutrients from the soil and reducing fertilizer application rates.

Radishes Planted With Wheat Boosting No-Till Wheat Yields

Reports of up to 18-bushel gains have pushed growers to experiment with a wheat-radish mix.

By John Dobberstein posted on June 1, 2011 | Posted in Cover Crops

What started as an innocent mistake a few years ago on an Ohio farm could provide a substantial yield boost for winter wheat growers.

No-Till’s Measuring Stick

Cover crops, stacked rotations and soil cover of 60% or more after seeding are among the pillars of quality, continuous no-till, Rolf Derpsch says.

By John Dobberstein posted on June 1, 2011 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

No-till may be practiced on more agricultural acres in the U.S. than any other country in the world. But South American no-till consultant Rolf Derpsch believes growers here shouldn’t be satisfied.

8 Ways To Make No-Till Wheat A Winner

Choosing the right varieties, herbicides and seeder are among the keys to successfully adding wheat to rotations, says Kentucky no-tiller John Young.

By John Dobberstein posted on May 1, 2011 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

With grain still trading at very attractive prices, no-tillers may be able to increase their profits by adding wheat to their traditional corn-and-soybean rotation. This scenario is especially attractive in regions where soybeans can be double-cropped behind winter wheat.

Reaping The Benefits Of Long-Term No-Till

Variable-rate technology, improved drainage and key equipment decisions spell 30 years of no-till success for the Kinney family.

By John Dobberstein posted on May 1, 2011 | Posted in Equipment, Nutrient Management

The genesis of no-till on the rolling hills of R & K Farms began during the 1970s when Jay Robert Renick drove to southern Ohio to attend a field day.

15 Ways To Make No-Till Soybeans More Profitable

Three veteran no-tillers share valuable tips and suggestions on fertilizer application, residue management, variety selection, planting methods, equipment setup and more.

By John Dobberstein posted on April 1, 2011 | Posted in Crop Protection, Nutrient Management

With soybean prices eclipsing $14 a bushel recently, no-tillers are searching for any edge that could help them squeeze more out of every acre.

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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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