Ignorance may be bliss, but it’s no way to farm. Instead of blindly seeking the highest yields and following conventional management recommendations, my wife, Kelli, and I work to track, evaluate and problem solve on the farm we started together.

Some farmers dive headlong into changing their tillage practices. John Macauley, who farms 1,200 acres with his father, Jim, in Groveland, N.Y., is proof that transitioning to no-till can be done in steps.

It’s certainly possible to no-till high-yielding crops in northwest Ohio, but for Jan and Cindy Layman, it’s no cakewalk, either.

Measured fertilizer applications, copious amounts of residue and dogged determination have all helped Leon Sowers improve the diversity and viability of his Kansas operation.

The Hoenhause family used to hear no-till wasn’t necessary in their area because there was ample moisture to grow a crop.

While the weather in Kansas can be very fickle, Ron Neises has found switching to no-till practices 20 years ago has brought a calming influence, of sorts, to the 2,600 acres he farms in Belle Plaine, Kan.

When it comes to adopting no-till, the teachable moment for Peter Rost Jr. came 3 years ago.

The Rundahl family has had a highly successful 100% no-till program for more than 2 decades. But they've been quick to recognize that finding ways to improve is critical if you expect to continue with your no-till success.