As you start inching closer to the National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., from Jan. 8 to 11, 2003, get a head start on topics you want to hear about by jumping on our Web site’s message board, Farmer’s Forum, at www.no-tillfarmer.com. It’s a great place to make some no-tilling contacts with people that you’ll be able to meet up with at the conference.

In this month’s Farmer’s Forum, no-tillers explored the topics of seed selection, worries when it comes to using closing wheels and how deep to pull soil samples.

While these three topics have been highlighted, there are many more no-tilling discussions and debates taking place right now at www.no-tillfarmer.com. Simply click on the Farmer’s Forum icon and you’ll have access to hundreds of postings exclusively dealing with no-till. Also, check out our Farmer’s Forum archives for information dealing with no-till equipment, fertilizer, management practices, pesticides and soil and crop concerns.

Seed Selection

When it comes to seed selection for no-till, what do no-tillers look for in a corn hybrid and soybean variety package?

The seed companies say yield is still the most important factor, but yield is what gets the attention when harvest is over and it is time to sell seed. I have a great-yielding hybrid, but 60 percent of it is laying on the ground right now after last week’s rain! It has stalk rot and a weak root system.

I live in south central Nebraska with mostly irrigated, flat to rolling, medium-texture soils. Some…