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John Dobberstein

John Dobberstein was senior editor of No-Till Farmer magazine and the e-newsletter Dryland No-Tiller. He previously covered agriculture for the Tulsa World and worked for daily newspapers in Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Joseph, Mich. He graduated with a B.A. in journalism and political science from Central Michigan University.

Articles

ARTICLES

Walking the Walk with No-Till

By John Dobberstein posted on June 24, 2020

California is the hub of some of the most strenuous environmental regulations in the nation, but when it comes to preserving groundwater resources the state hasn’t been very progressive historically. That appears to be changing for the better — read on to see why.

Pivoting to Conservation Improves Future for Dairy in Vulnerable Watershed

Aaron and Todd Augustian are managing manure responsibly and embracing no-till and cover crops to reduce erosion, improve soils and safeguard the environment.

By John Dobberstein posted on May 30, 2020 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment, Nutrient Management

Aaron and Todd Augustian are managing manure responsibly and embracing no-till and cover crops to reduce erosion, improve soils and safeguard the environment.

Modeling, Mobile Drip Could Help Save Ogallala Aquifer

By John Dobberstein posted on May 13, 2020

Two interesting developments could help play a role in saving the Ogallala aquifer, an underground water resource that helps drive a $35 billion ag economy in the Great Plains region.

‘Split Decision’ Helping More No-Tillers Improve Their Nitrogen Efficiency

Growers and researchers say they’re seeing increased corn yields and more application flexibility with Y-drop systems with targeted placement.

By John Dobberstein posted on May 1, 2020 | Posted in Equipment, Nutrient Management

With corn prices continuing on a stagnant path for the foreseeable future, many no-tillers are looking for ways to ratchet up efficiency with their inputs, including with nitrogen (N).

Putting the ‘Proof’ in No-Till

Missouri no-tiller Brian Martin is using a methodical, data-driven approach to building a no-till system that is both efficient and profitable.

By John Dobberstein posted on April 29, 2020 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment

FOR BRIAN MARTIN, it’s not hard to see that having a no-till system keeps soil in place on his farm’s sloping terrain. But Martin also has a thirst for looking beyond the anecdotes for data that spells out what practices benefit the bottom line.

Earth Day and Keeping Up the No-Till Fight

By John Dobberstein posted on April 22, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

With Earth Day fresh on our minds, rather than planting trees, here’s something you can do to save our planet that will help farmers be more profitable as well.

Building Soils, Getting Over the Hump with No-Tilling

No-till practices, covers and better fertilizer management have been the right combination to return Linus Rothermich’s rain-soaked clay soils to productivity.

By John Dobberstein posted on April 7, 2020 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Water Management

SOME GROWERS measure their no-till success by crunching numbers on input formulas, poring over spreadsheets or deciphering complex soil health tests.

Do We Still Only Have 60 Harvests Left?

By John Dobberstein posted on March 25, 2020

With the passing of National Ag Day last week, we celebrate what’s been done to improve the sustainability of farming operations, but look ahead to what we must do to preserve and protect food security for future generations.

Digging Up Soil Health, Profitability with ‘Biotic’ Farming

Brendon Rockey turned to companion cropping, covers, compost applications and livestock to regenerate soils on his potato farm in a dry, arid environment.

By John Dobberstein posted on March 1, 2020 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health, Water Management

For all intents and purposes, Brendon Rockey farms in a desert where native soils have almost zero organic matter and precipitation is infrequent. But as bleak as that may sound, Rockey’s farm is actually thriving and biologically active.

Get Cotton Off on the Right Foot with No-Till

By John Dobberstein posted on February 27, 2020

Growers in the Northern High Plains of Texas are turning to cotton plantings in hopes of reducing their watering needs and possibly extending the life of the Ogallala aquifer. There’s one tool that should be used on all these new acres that could make this endeavor more profitable.

View All Articles by John Dobberstein

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No-Till Innovator Marion Calmer checks in from his Alpha, Ill., farm with a preview of his 2025 National No-Tillage Conference (NNTC) presentation. The 4-time NNTC presenter of the year will go through his 40-year journey of replicated studies on nitrogen rates.

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