With planting season not as far away as it might seem, editors at No-Till Farmer recently talked with Nebraska Extension ag engineer Paul Jasa about a range of topics related to no-tilling corn.

From ensuring proper seeding depth and spacing, to choosing the right planter and seeder attachments, to the location of the new rows, Jasa explained what steps no-tillers may want to consider to achieve better and more consistent. Here are the highlights of this discussion.

1. For less experienced no-tillers, what are some keys to making no-till planting and seeding work?

When it comes to air seeders, planters or drills, we’re going to meter the seed. Then there are four crucial steps for no-till. First is cutting or handling the residue. The second is going to be penetrating the soil to the desired seeding depth. The third is establishing seed-to-soil contact, and fourth is closing the seed trench.

Steps 5, 6, 7 and 8 might be fertilizer, insecticide, herbicide and fungicide, but if I fail at those first four, I’m not…