Home / Topics / Columns and Feeds / Frankly Speaking

Frankly Speaking
Frankly Speaking RSS Feed RSS

Frankly-Speaking-logo_0324_1000px (1).png
Frankly Speaking

Tackling Algae Concerns

By Frank Lessiter posted on January 1, 2014 | Posted in Nutrient Management
In recent years, we’re produced a number of No-Till Farmer articles on the benefits of utilizing gypsum to improve plant nutrition and soil structure. Now, new research from Ohio State University indicates gypsum may play a key role in controlling the harmful algal blooms that are a growing concern in Lake Erie, the Chesapeake Bay, the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
Read More
Frankly-Speaking-logo_0324_1000px (1).png
Frankly Speaking

Ridge-Tilling Vs. Strip-Tilling

By Frank Lessiter posted on December 1, 2013 | Posted in Residue Management
From 1991 until 1996, our publishing company produced a newsletter called Ridge-Till Hotline that was similar to what we were doing with No-Till Farmer. While the response to this paid newsletter was favorable, by the mid 1990s we didn't feel the ridge-till acres were going to continue to grow. So we halted publication, much to the regret of many die-hard ridge-tillers.
Read More
Frankly-Speaking-logo_0324_1000px (1).png
Frankly Speaking

The Threat Of Herbicide Resistant Weeds Is A Critical Concern

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 1, 2013 | Posted in Crop Protection
There’s no doubt that much of the rapid increase in no-tilled acres over the past 20 years is due to the extensive use of glyphosate-resistant corn and soybeans. Yet, extensive reliance on this single herbicide mode of action may be holding back the future growth of no-till. Even more worrisome is the impact it could have on simply maintaining the no-till acres we already have.
Read More
Frankly-Speaking-logo_0324_1000px (1).png
Frankly Speaking

Tile Pays On Rented Land

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 1, 2013 | Posted in Water Management
Like many no-tillers, Ben Fehl has seen the value of tiling both rented and owned ground. Major benefits from tiling include increased yield, less soil compaction, improved soil and water quality, reduced soil erosion and greater economic return.
Read More
Frankly-Speaking-logo_0324_1000px (1).png
Frankly Speaking

Doing More With Less Water

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 1, 2013 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Water Management
Like many no-tillers in North America, Australian no-tillers are concerned with the impact of changing climate and drought conditions. However, no-till and several other innovative ideas have helped the country’s wheat growers deal with reduced water supplies while boosting yields over the past 3 decades.
Read More
Frankly-Speaking-logo_0324_1000px (1).png
Frankly Speaking

Three Super No-Till Projects

By Frank Lessiter posted on July 1, 2013 | Posted in Soil Health, Water Management
Forty years ago this month, I made my first visit to USDA’s North Appalachian Experimental Watershed in Coshocton, Ohio. Established in 1935, this 1,047-acre facility had been built with depression-era labor from several government assistance programs.
Read More
Frankly-Speaking-logo_0324_1000px (1).png
Frankly Speaking

No-Tillers Don’t Want To Lose Any Nutrient, Soil And Environmental Benefits From Selling Residue Out Of Their Fields

By Frank Lessiter posted on May 1, 2013 | Posted in Residue Management, Soil Health
No-tillers definitely understand the value of leaving residue in their corn fields. They recognize that corn stalks, leaves, husks and cobs help reduce soil losses, provide cheap nutrients, trim greenhouse emission levels, boost moisture levels, help organic matter, improve soil quality, reduce compaction and increase crop productivity.
Read More
Frankly-Speaking-logo_0324_1000px (1).png
Frankly Speaking

No-Till Worth An Extra $1,000

By Frank Lessiter posted on April 1, 2013 | Posted in Nutrient Management
Many farmers recognize that no-tilled ground is probably worth more than land farmed with more intensive tillage. Yet there’s little evidence that indicates no-tilled ground brings a premium price when a farm goes on the sale block.
Read More

Top Articles

Current Issue

CTG_August_0826_BookWithPages_Curl_art.png

No-Till Farmer

Get full access NOW to the most comprehensive, powerful and easy-to-use online resource for no-tillage practices. Just one good idea will pay for your subscription hundreds of times over.

Subscribe Now

View More

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

View More

Videos

View More
Top Directory Listings
Screenshot 2025-06-24 at 5.22.48 PM.png

Estes Performance Concaves

We have engineered and developed the most advanced concave system that threshes all crops, eliminates rotor loss, improves grain quality, gives you a cleaner sample – all with one set of XPR concaves.

Titan_Logo_4c_0716_web.png

Titan International Inc

At Titan International, our product portfolio reflects our commitment to innovation and high-quality products. Titan International offers a full line of solution-focused wheel, tire, and undercarriage products for a wide variety of off-the-road equipment in agriculture, construction, forestry, mining, power sports, high-speed trailers, and outdoor power equipment segments. As one of the largest North American manufacturers, with a network of dealers all over the world, Titan is an industry leader that original equipment manufacturers and operators can count on for durable products and quality service.

ServiTech-Color.png

Servitech

Provide expert analysis and decision support to increase productivity and profitability. 

View More