There have been many articles published about the dilemma facing growers in the Great Plains when it comes to irrigation. The challenge growers and decision makers face in preserving aquifers for agricultural use, without allowing them to be drained to unsustainable levels, is daunting. 

After 2 years of political wrangling, U.S. lawmakers and President Barack Obama have approved a 5-year Farm Bill, also known as the Agricultural Act of 2014.

While reviewing some interesting material I received recently at the No-Till on the Plains Winter Conference in Salina, Kan., I came upon a Top 10 list — one that pertains to farming, not pop culture or show business.

I must admit to playing a little catch-up after spending all of last week in Springfield, Ill., working with my colleagues at No-Till Farmer to host the 22nd annual National No-Tillage Conference. Our second-largest crowd ever with 1,024 attendees took in 4 days of no-till learning at the Springfield Hilton. While there were plenty of familiar faces, we still saw 408 first-time attendees. More than 500 first-timers were on hand last year at the NNTC in Indianapolis.

At No-Till Farmer we often tell readers that we can share with you the ingredients for successful no-till practices, but to make them work on your farm, you need to write your own recipe.