Driving through southeastern Minnesota earlier this year, it was clear that no-till was the exception, not the rule. Cold, wet soils can be a challenge for no-till, but the working up of rolling ground and steep slopes that I saw also means there's greater erosion.

Palmer amaranth, waterhemp and marestail are the three most problematic weed species confronting corn and soybean growers, says Purdue University weed scientist Bryan Young. With the challenge of herbicide resistance, Young shares how overlapping residual herbicides can help effectively keep these problem weeds under control.

Heavy rains in parts of the Midwest have caused cornstalks and other crop debris to wash off fields and onto roads, drainage ditches and catch basins, resulting in flooding and road obstruction.

We know there are many benefits that make no-till worthwhile — less cost for fuel and labor, improved soil structure and health, better water infiltration and holding capacity — the list goes on.

Applying sugar may not result in direct yield increases, but researchers and growers are finding it can boost beneficial insect populations and improve crop health.

About 78% of growers said they were concerned or "extremely" concerned about resistant weeds. Nearly half the audience had been no-tilling for 15 years or longer.