Articles by Julie Orchard

Can You Rely On Yield Maps?

The value of yield maps depends on how accurately you interpret them.

By Julie Orchard posted on December 1, 1998 | Posted in Precision Agriculture

While you may have recently bought a yield monitor with the hopes of unraveling the secrets of yield variability in no-till fields, be aware of the limitations in yield map accuracy, cautions Tom Doerge, Pioneer precision farming agronomist.

Overcoming Planting Delays

When planting conditions are less than optimal, this no-tiller uses these sensible strategies.

By Julie Orchard posted on December 1, 1998 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Because the weather often is the determining factor in how early no-till planting can begin, Bill Hammitt holds a “wait-and-see” attitude rather than strictly adhering to a planting system previously mapped out.

Doing All the Little Things Just Right

Successful no-till on this Iowa farm is the result of a novel four-step management plan.

By Julie Orchard posted on November 1, 1998 | Posted in Equipment

High corn and soybean yields don’t happen by chance on Condon and Mark Schnepel’s farm in Carson, Iowa. The brothers use a four-step process of planning, on-farm researching, implementing and reviewing to manage their 1,000-acre no-till operation.

Landlords Learn To Appreciate No-Till Benefits

With a little persuasion, this Wisconsin no-tiller convinced his landlords no-till was the best system for their land. Seeing is believing...and they can't argue with his results.

By Julie Orchard posted on November 1, 1998

What was once a clear separation between the rural countryside and town of Mukwonago, Wis., has quickly diminished as residential development continues at a phenomenal pace.

No-Till Drilling Dynamics

These simple, inexpensive ideas give this Nebraska couple peace of mind when drilling no-till soybeans.

By Julie Orchard posted on November 1, 1998 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

No-tilling at the 1,010-acre Hanke farm in Wahoo, Neb., is a true family affair. While Gary Hanke is planting corn, his wife, Nancy, is drilling soybeans, and son, Mitch, is transporting equipment and also helping drill soybeans.

Excellent Stands, Easy Setup

United Farm Tools 5300 no-till drill lives up to its promises.

By Julie Orchard posted on October 1, 1998 | Posted in Equipment

A John Deere Enthusiast, Allen Verell wasn’t sure what to expect from the United Farms Tools (UFT) 5300 no-till drill that he won use of for a year at the 1998 National No-Tillage Conference.

Experience Is a Great Teacher

A true no-till pioneer, Frank Cockerill shares knowledge he's gathered through 23 years of trial and error.

By Julie Orchard posted on October 1, 1998

No-tillers in Sarpy County, Neb., are still benefiting from the experience Frank Cockerill gained by no-tilling 60 acres of corn and 10 acres of soybeans in 1975.

Holding On To Bt

If no-till corn growers don't take precautionary measures, European corn borer will likely strike back against BT corn.

By Julie Orchard posted on October 1, 1998 | Posted in Crop Protection

The introduction of hybrids containing the Bt gene gave no-tillers a new management tool to reduce European corn borer losses, but how long this tool will remain effective is the responsibility of growers.

Are Narrow Rows The Way To Go?

It’s no big mystery, maintains Purdue corn specialist Bob Nielsen. No-tillers can find the answer by assessing corn crop canopy development.

By Julie Orchard posted on September 1, 1998 | Posted in Equipment

Yield responses from ultra-narrow-row corn are no great miracle, says Bob Nielsen. The Purdue researcher, who was already conducting narrow-row corn studies in the 1980s, says these responses are a simple matter of crop canopy management.

Mixed Results, Uncertain Recommendations

Do crop additives work? Soil scientists don’t have any clear-cut answers.

By Julie Orchard posted on September 1, 1998 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

With increased plant growth and yield increases in field trials, crop additives may have caught your attention. But these fertilizer additives are far from receiving an across-the-board endorsement from university researchers.

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