Not satisfied with the no-till planter setups he’d tried, Keith Thompson of Osage City, Kan., decided to create something better to meet his needs. He believes the custom-built components he created could deliver to other no-tillers the improved results he now enjoys, and he’s put them on the market.

Turning your original no-till planter into something that better fits your specific cropping needs was a hot topic on the No-Till Farmer Farmer’s Forum message board recently. Also, veteran no-tillers hit the keyboards to voice their opinions about one farmer’s interseeding concerns and another no-tiller’s questions about his White 5100 planter.

When i started no-tilling, I felt a renewed sense of energy and excitement about farming. I’m guessing a lot of fledgling no-tillers get that same feeling.

As you start inching closer to the National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., from Jan. 8 to 11, 2003, get a head start on topics you want to hear about by jumping on our Web site’s message board, Farmer’s Forum, at www.no-tillfarmer.com. It’s a great place to make some no-tilling contacts with people that you’ll be able to meet up with at the conference.

Field conditions dictate proper use of no-till drill attachments, says Monsanto Conservation Tillage Specialist John Bradley. “The key is to be prepared when you no-till under different field conditions, different moisture conditions and different residue conditions,” says Bradley.