Dissatisfied with his previous corn head’s snapping rollers, Ross Bishop built a 20-inch, eight-row corn head out of International parts in pursuit of a shorter harvest time.

Pacific Northwest no-tillers will soon be taking advantage of a certification program that will set them apart from other grain growers. And since they’re already no-tilling successfully, many are already well on the way to qualifying for this program aimed at demonstrating sustainable farming practices to consumers.

With grain prices on the rise compared to historical levels, some no-tillers are taking a closer look at seeding wheat this fall and no-tilling double-cropped soybeans for 2011. If you’re located in an area where double-cropping can work, this may be a way to boost your 2011 profits.

If your familiar with the cyclical weather patterns (very dry to very wet) we’ve experienced in North Dakota since I started no-tilling in 1986, the fact that I’m still in business might say an awful lot. Not only am I still no-tilling, but I have expanded from 1,000 to 4,000 acres of cropland. And thanks to the many hours I no longer have to spend in the field, I’ve built up a busy grain cleaning and processing business.

Don’t be discouraged by the challenges you faced no-tilling corn on corn for the first time this year; you’re not alone.