Frank Lessiter

No-Tilling Soybeans at Thanksgiving - 25 Years Ahead of Its Time?

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 27, 2024 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

While “pushing the limits” of early planting dates, Iowa crop consultant and farmer David Savage proved 25 years ago that no-tilling soybeans extremely early might just be crazy enough to work. Like maybe the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Is No-Till Vs. Water Quality a Worry?

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 25, 2024 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Water Management

Serious concerns over phosphorus (P) runoff continues to be a worry that could hold back future growth of no-till.

Among No-Tillers With Dairy, How Well Do the Cows Adapt to Daylight Saving Time?

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 16, 2024

Whether it is “spring ahead” or “fall back” time, the schedules of no-tillers are somewhat impacted by the twice-a-year shifting of the clock. And for farmers spending time in the milking parlor, there’s a question on how cow behavior and milk production is affected.

No-Till Research Journal

International No-Till, Strip-Till and Cover Crops Research Journal – November 2024

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 13, 2024

Each month, the conservation ag group at Cornell University offers an analysis of the latest scientific papers dealing with conservation agriculture research from around the world. For this on-going web series, our editors will be selecting several research papers from the Cornell list that will be of special interest to North American no-tillers, strip-tillers and cover croppers.

How Weeds Handle the Drought

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 28, 2024 | Posted in Water Management

With many North American no-tillers dealing with several years of serious drought, it’s critical to understand how weeds respond to low moisture conditions much better than most no-tilled crops.

Frankly Speaking

Will Climate Change Halt Oats Winterkill?

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 16, 2024 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

If you’re seeding oats and expecting winter temperatures to terminate this cover crop before spring planting rolls around, you may want to rethink that decision.

Your No-Till History

When Equipment Firms Hated No-Till

Widespread acceptance of no-till from equipment companies didn't happen overnight

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 9, 2024 | Posted in Equipment

Today’s no-tillers can choose from a variety of planters, drills and air seeders not only from shortline manufacturers, but the major equipment companies as well. That wasn’t always the case. The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.

Rethink No-Till Yields: Measure Bushels per Inch of Rain, Not Just Costs

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 8, 2024 | Posted in Water Management

When you listen to Rick Bieber talk about how he measures crop results, you quickly learn he’s not a big fan of the word “yield.” No-tilling for over 4 decades, the Trail City, S.D., farmer certainly understands that yield is what pays the bills.

Frankly Speaking

Ag Retailers Slow to Add Drones

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 30, 2024 | Posted in Precision Agriculture, Cover Crop Seed, Fertilizer Application Equipment, Spraying Equipment

High costs are apparently keeping many ag retailers from adding drone pesticide spraying, fertilizer applications, cover crop seeding and field imagery to their lineup of services offered to no-tillers.

Frankly Speaking

When it Comes To Reporting on Sustainability, European Writer ‘Hacks Up’ Huge Hiccup Over Burping Dairy Cows

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 18, 2024

Frank Lessiter critically examines the Wall Street Journal article outlining Mars' $47 million European-based program aimed at reducing methane emissions from dairy cattle.

Articles by Frank Lessiter

No-Tilling Soybeans at Thanksgiving - 25 Years Ahead of Its Time?

Is No-Till Vs. Water Quality a Worry?

Among No-Tillers With Dairy, How Well Do the Cows Adapt to Daylight Saving Time?

International No-Till, Strip-Till and Cover Crops Research Journal – November 2024

How Weeds Handle the Drought

Will Climate Change Halt Oats Winterkill?

When Equipment Firms Hated No-Till

Rethink No-Till Yields: Measure Bushels per Inch of Rain, Not Just Costs

Ag Retailers Slow to Add Drones

When it Comes To Reporting on Sustainability, European Writer ‘Hacks Up’ Huge Hiccup Over Burping Dairy Cows

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