No-Till History Videos

The No-Till History digital archive to commemorate no-till’s historic year in 2024 is made possible by Calmer.


Calmer

In 1975, after borrowing $500 from the bank and $500 from his grandma, Marion started his farming operation of 80 acres of corn and 10 gilts. He would go on to build the world’s first 15-inch corn head in 1994, the world’s first 12-inch corn head in 2013 and the world’s largest corn head (at the time) that same year. Most recently, Marion invented the BT Chopper® Upgrade Kit system to enable factory corn heads to manage cornstalk residue more efficiently than ever, saving farmers time and money. On top of that Calmer Corn Heads build custom corn heads that will fit most combines. Visit them at calmercornheads.com.


Enjoy a stunning and unique collection of no-till stories, photographs, facts, and figures chronicling the history of no-till farming from the early years through today. This extraordinary hardbound book is over 400 pages and takes a decade-by-decade look at the world of no-till as seen through the eyes of those who observed the many changes in no-till since the first commercial U.S. plot in 1962. Learn more about "From Maverick to Mainstream: A History of No-Till Farming" and information to order here.



Watch videos below, or view the full no-till historical archive.

ARTICLES

No-Till History

[Video] I Farm Ugly Song

A lot of no-tillers have seen the “Farm Ugly” bumper sticker promoting no-till with Gramoxone Super, but most no-tillers are not aware (or have long forgotten) that no-till was the subject of a country music song in the late 1980s, called “I Farm Ugly.” The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.
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[Video] No-Till: Protecting the Heartland

Created by Zeneca Ag in 1997, this 58 minute video traces the history of agricultural tillage practices and soil conservation, from the invention of the plow though the disaster of the dust bowl to the science of no-till crop production. The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.
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International Harvester’s First Attempt at No-Till Farming

[Video] International Harvester’s First Attempt at No-Till Farming

This video from Classic Tractor Fever shows a little-known no-till fact – that International Harvester actually was the first to release a no-till planter design in 1952-53, but exited after only 2 years, thus yielding history to Allis Chalmers when it comes to first commercially successful no-till planter. Purdue’s Don Rhine and ag historian Maurie Williamson explain the M-21 from IH.
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Pioneers of No-Tillage

[Video] Pioneers of No-Tillage

Pioneers of No-Tillage salutes several individuals who contributed to soil conservation in Kentucky including Howard Martin who discovered and produced row cleaners to aid in no-till planting.
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No-Tillage Farming

[Video] No-Tillage Farming

Harry Young Jr. helped pioneer no-till farming near Herndon, Ky., in the early 1960's. His son, John Young, continues the tradition of conserving topsoil with his son Alexander. Here, they share their thoughts on no-tillage farming and the contributions made by Shirley Phillips, University of Kentucky's Grain Specialist.
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No-Tilling...Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow with Frank Lessiter

[Video] No-Tilling...Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow with Frank Lessiter

In a presentation to the Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil and Healthy Water, Frank Lessiter shares stories about the past, present and future of no-till farming, including some of the crazy contraptions that got no-till started, obstacles that threatened the viability of the movement, global successes and challenges and more.
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