Frank Lessiter founded Lessiter Media in 1981 and has spent more than 50 years in the agricultural and equine publishing business. He still oversees all of the company's publications as Chairman and Editorial Director, with an Emphasis on American Farriers Journal and No-Till Farmer magazines.

Contact: lessitef@lesspub.com

Frankly Speaking

Good or Bad Time to Start No-Tilling?

By Frank Lessiter posted on February 18, 2025 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

For growers still using intensive tillage and facing less income and more costs, the question is when the best time is to shift to no-till. A major worry is the fear of a yield drag and its impact on income.

Long-Term No-Tillers Deserve a Fair Shake

By Frank Lessiter posted on January 21, 2025 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health

Whether it’s due to government policies or carbon credit incentives, veteran no-tillers are getting the short end of the stick. With most carbon credit companies refusing to accept veteran no-tillers in their programs, you can see why I think the current rules are unfair.

Yes, He's a Regenerative Agriculture Skeptic

By Frank Lessiter posted on January 16, 2025

When the principles of regenerative ag are broken down to their core components, Shane Thomas sees it as a bundling of practices with the aim of “regenerating” the soil (an outcome), including increasing organic matter (soil carbon) encouraging biological activity and mitigating soil erosion.

Nothing Goes to Waste on This Highly-Diversified 6,000-Acre No-Till Operation

By Frank Lessiter posted on January 10, 2025 | Posted in Soil Health

The Allred family was practicing regenerative agriculture long before they even had first heard of the term.

Three French, British & South African Growers, Educators Named 2024 International No-Till Legends

These global growers & educators have played a key role in growing no-till to more than 510 million acres around the world

By Frank Lessiter posted on January 8, 2025

These global growers & educators have played a key role in growing no-till to more than 510 million acres around the world.

When it Comes to Brand Loyalty, More Growers Are Willing to Switch Brands with Planter, Drill & Sprayer Buys — Three Slices of the Overall Farm Equipment Market Which Are Critical for No-Tillers

By Frank Lessiter posted on December 20, 2024 | Posted in Equipment, Precision Agriculture

When it comes to brand loyalty with different ag equipment products, no-tillers are more likely than the general farm population to change brands when it comes to purchasing seeding and planting equipment.

A Terrific National No-Tillage Conference Program — Offering Many, Many Profit-Building Reasons on Why You Need to Attend

Expect an energetic 4 days of non-stop learning in Louisville from leading no-tillers, agronomists, researchers & suppliers who will be sharing their most valuable ideas to help you get the most out of your 2025 no-till cropping program.

By Frank Lessiter posted on December 18, 2024 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection, Equipment, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture, Seeding & Planting, Soil Health

A longtime attendee at the National No-Tillage Conference (NNTC) recently told me our 2025 lineup of topics and speakers is among the very best in the entire 33-year history of this event.

Mentor Puts Employment on the Line for ‘Rookie’ Writer

‘This student’s article runs or I’m quitting ...’

By Frank Lessiter posted on December 18, 2024

This column features an early-day mentor of mine who went out of his way to put his job on the line for me, a student journalist at the time.

Frankly Speaking

Hey AGCO, Don’t Forget North America

By Frank Lessiter posted on December 7, 2024 | Posted in Equipment

While AGCO seemingly has good intentions when it comes to promoting conservation practices, it also looks like they have little interest in promoting numerous soil-saving concepts in North America.

Multiple Sprayer Tips Pay Off

With timely application of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, nutrients, micronutrients, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides & biologicals, no-tillers earn higher returns with frequent sprayer trips.

By Frank Lessiter posted on December 2, 2024 | Posted in Equipment

A no-tiller cropping 2,500 acres and doing his own chemical application work could run a sprayer over 10,000 or more acres during the growing season.

Videos

Farmer Shares Formula for Better No-Till Corn Emergence

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, longtime no-tiller Ross Bishop shares some of the keys to achieving even corn emergence with no-till.

Events

Conservation in Action Tour 2025 -- Sioux Falls, S.D.

Date: 05/06/25

Location:

From Sioux Falls, S.D. attendees will travel to innovative farms that showcase best practices in conservation agriculture, hear from inspiring speakers and experience behind-the-scenes industry stops that will make the 2025 planting season a memorable one.

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The Andersons PureGrade

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Frank Lessiter

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