Many of the same factors that impact a crop’s growth also impact microbial activity. Soil type is one example that can influence microbial activity. Things like the pH levels, moisture levels and oxygenation of your soil are direct influences for crop growth and microbial activity.

Ensuring that your crops are rich in nutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) is a crucial aspect of a healthy farm. But oftentimes, most of the N, P and K applied to the soil is never absorbed by the crop and does not have a chance to improve crop performance.

Erosion control and banded nutrient placement are a couple of the reasons New Prague, Minn., strip-tiller Greg Entinger adopted strip-till in 2015. He shares some of the economic objectives and measurable returns he's seen with reduced fuel usage, selling full-width tillage equipment and fertilizer cost savings.