Sudden downtime is the enemy of any productive farmer, and the sources of trouble these days aren’t just mechanical in nature. No-tillers are fighting a pitched battle with cornstalks that are eroding or puncturing tires on their tractors, combines, sprayers and other equipment.

Cut it, chop it, crimp it, split it, shatter it, size it, blow it, fling it or even explode it — just don’t wing it when it comes to harvest residue management.