John Dobberstein is the Senior Editor of No-Till Farmer, Strip-Till Farmer, and Cover Crop Strategies. He previously covered agriculture for the Tulsa World and worked for daily newspapers in Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Joseph, Mich. This is John's second stint with Lessiter Media, the previous lasting almost 13 years.

Contact: jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com

High-Tech Fertility, Covers Build No-Till Soils and Yields

With a one-pass planting system, cover crops and a drone for scouting, no-tiller Jeremy Wilson is making the most of his fertilizer investment.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 29, 2016 | Posted in Equipment, Residue Management, Nutrient Management

For Jeremy Wilson, the road to raising consistent crops in a colder northern climate runs through improving soil health, rather than using iron to manage cropping challenges.

10 Ways for No-Tillers to Beat Compaction Challenges

More axles, lower tire pressure, controlled traffic, cover crops, and a dose of patience can keep compaction from hurting yields.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 29, 2016 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Soil Health

No-tillers planning to achieve better yields in the next growing season ought to look a little ‘deeper,’ so to speak, than just seed and inputs.

From The Desk of John Dobberstein

Going to War for Water?

By John Dobberstein posted on October 26, 2016 | Posted in Water Management

A new documentary about extreme drought, agriculture and the continuing water crisis in the western U.S. underscores why adoption of no-till, improved soil health, precision irrigation and other conservation tools is critically important.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

It All Begins With Soil Testing

By John Dobberstein posted on October 12, 2016 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture, Soil Health

Are you still wrestling with questions over soil fertility issues in your no-tilled pastures? A recent blog post from Oklahoma State University Extension’s Brian Arnall might shed some light on the situation for you.

Plan to Boost Your Soil Health Knowledge at 2017 No-till on the Plains Winter Conference

By John Dobberstein posted on September 28, 2016

Make plans to attend the 21st annual No-till on the Plains Winter Conference, Jan. 24-25, 2017, in Salina, Kan. Choose from 55 sessions from 35 of the soil health field’s top speakers. That’s more breakout sessions than ever before.

Possible Solution for Helping Ogallala Aquifer Woes?

By John Dobberstein posted on September 28, 2016 | Posted in Water Management

If you’re irrigating crops on the Great Plains you’ve no doubt heard about the declining water levels in the Ogallala aquifer and the implications for farmers and communities in several states.

Hatching a No-Till Plan for Controlling Pesky Marestail

A diverse, timely herbicide program is crucial to avoid dealing with this persistent weed in no-tilled crops.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 17, 2016 | Posted in Crop Protection

It's not very hard to find no-tillers in the eastern U.S. who’ve had frustrating run-ins with marestail, also known as horseweed.

Seeding Covers, Ending Tillage Guides Challenging No-Till Transition

For Keith Mayberry, cutting trips across the field and keeping soils covered has reduced his need for irrigation and slashed his farm’s annual fuel budget.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 17, 2016 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment

A perfect storm, of sorts, convinced Keith Mayberry it was time to change how he raised his crops.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Passing No-Till Onto the Next Generation

By John Dobberstein posted on September 14, 2016

While brain drain has been a problem in family farming for quite a while, there are still plenty of children who go to college and return home to participate in the family business. And in the coming years there will be one of the biggest transfers of farm ownership in history.

Tips for Plant Diversity, Grazing Covers and ‘Resting’ Land for Soil Health

A panel of no-tillers answers tough questions about planting through thick residue, livestock selection, herbicide carryover and seeding covers into competitive perennials.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 14, 2016 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

A panel of no-tillers answers tough questions about planting through thick residue, livestock selection, herbicide carryover and seeding covers into competitive perennials.

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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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