While the idea of using global positioning satellite technology took off quickly because the financial returns were immediate, Matthew Sullivan says the returns from variable rate technology may not be as noticeable.

As no-tillers attempt to cash in on funds available through the 2002 Farm Bill, many are finding themselves at a disadvantage. Instead of being credited for doing a good job of conserving their soils, they’re being punished for having already seen the many benefits of no-tilling.

For growers in the United States who are raising genetically modified crops, it’s not good news that the Europeans are suggesting new rules that would require the wider use of warning labels on foods along with a lot more red tape when importing our grains.

Monsanto has received full U.S. regulatory clearance for the first biotech corn designed to control corn rootworm. The company announced in late February that both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cleared YieldGard Rootworm for use in corn hybrids for resistance to this insect. Licensing the technology to other seed companies means a number of corn hybrids containing this technology will be available for no-tilling this spring.

Better late than never. Fueled by a tremendous number of walk-up registrations, the 11th annual National No-Tillage Conference, sponsored by Bayer Crop Science, Dow AgroSciences, Na-Churs Alpine Solutions, Landec Ag, Monsanto and Syngenta Crop Protection, once again put together more than 660 of the best no-tilling minds in North America.

When i started no-tilling, I felt a renewed sense of energy and excitement about farming. I’m guessing a lot of fledgling no-tillers get that same feeling.