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RNA Messenger Technology. Colorado potato beetles, Varroa mites, two-spotted spider mites, pollen beetles and fall armyworms are just a few of the pests that are currently being combated using RNA messenger technology. The graphic depicts how this technology could work to fight Colorado potato beetles. Image courtesy Robert Saik

No-Till's Future Depends on Practical Tech & Regulation

New technology in the world of no-till needs to be solutions-oriented in order to reach farmers in a timely manner

No-till farming, much like agriculture as a whole, has evolved a lot over the last several decades. From new machinery and technology to scientific solutions for weed suppression, there is always something new being introduced to no-tillers. But according to Robert Saik, an agricultural technology expert, he thinks that there is one major obstacle keeping new technologies from being smoothly implemented into the agriculture industry

“It’s called confidence,” Saik says. “The only way to get the confidence level up is to talk to people who have been there and done that. I argue that the best expert to help your farm is probably somebody you don't know yet.”

But Saik also believes that making no-till successful in the future is not only the responsibility of the farmer. He thinks that consumers and politicians also need to recognize their role. 

“My main concern for the future of no-till and agriculture as a whole is the disconnection of consumers, and in particular, politicians from the pragmatism of agriculture,” Saik says. 

One key trait that almost every farmer possesses, according to Saik, is the ability to adapt and change on the fly. Saik believes this is crucial for the success of no-till in the future. 

“People make mistakes in their career, but you learn from them,” Saik says. “People seem to forget that we are pretty good at learning, unlearning and relearning in agriculture.”

Ag History

To understand where no-till is headed in decades to come, it’s important to take a look at…

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Mackane ag 150

Mackane Vogel

Mackane Vogel is the Associate Editor of Farm Equipment, No-Till Farmer, Cover Crop Strategies and other Lessiter Media publications. An avid writer for the last 10 years, he previously served as the editorial intern for 88Nine Radio Milwaukee and also wrote for several different sports journalism outlets before joining the Lessiter Media team in 2022. Mackane is a 2020 journalism graduate of Marquette University.

Contact: mvogel@lesspub.com

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