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Managing The Underground

By Frank Lessiter posted on January 1, 2009 | Posted in Soil Health

Growers understand that no-till has a favorable impact on soil management. It’s due to the many interconnections between tillage, cropping practices, fertilizer, soil amendments and other soil treatments that end up boosting your yields.

No Matter The Tillage Method, Compaction Is Costly

New data shows compaction impacts soil quality and plant growth on many levels.

By Martha Ostendorf posted on January 1, 2009 | Posted in Soil Health

Compaction is a no-till farmer’s kryptonite. The benefits that no-till provides — reduced soil erosion, increased organic matter, efficient biological ecosystems, improved soil quality, higher infiltration rates, yield boosts and more — can quickly be reclaimed if compaction occurs.

No-Till Kept His Farm From Blowing Away

Montana producer stops wind erosion and reaps other benefits from no-till.

By Martha Ostendorf posted on December 1, 2008 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Soil Health

Oklahoma is the state associated with “wind sweeping down the plains.” But near Great Falls, Mont., it does a lot more than sweep, which can create big problems for small grains producers.

No-Till Notes

No-Till Vs.Strip-Till

Is there a strip-till advantage, or can most no-tillers match strip-till yields with better management?

By Jim Leverich posted on November 1, 2008 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Residue Management, Soil Health, Strip-Till Farming

As more producers move toward no-till systems for conservation compliance and to reduce costs, some have chosen strip-till. Research shows strip-till corn yields have been slightly higher and more consistent than no-till in some areas.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

Telling The World Why It Should No-Till An Easy Thing To Do

Preserving soil got southeast Iowa farmer Rodger Harrington into no-till, while being profitable kept him in it.

By Roger Harrington and Ron Ross posted on November 1, 2008 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Equipment, Soil Health

When people ask why I was the first farmer in our area of southeastern Iowa to start no-tilling 28 years ago, I answer that it was bred into me to control soil erosion any way I can — including extensive use of terraces and grass waterways. I couldn’t bear to see all that soil running into streams and rivers. I knew I had to do something to keep that from happening.

Fall Nitrogen Requires A Balancing Act

Reduce your spring workload and apply nitrogen more cheaply, but the risk of leaching could leave you short of nitrogen when corn needs it.

By Mark Moore posted on August 1, 2008 | Posted in Equipment, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

When you have a spring season like 2008, you can understand why some growers make an effort to apply at least some of their nitrogen in the fall. But just because you get your nitrogen applied before winter flies, that doesn’t mean it will all be there next spring and summer when your corn needs it.

To Minimize Soil Disturbance, Get Rid Of The Shake

Anhydrous application can be accomplished without tearing up no-till fields.

August 1, 2008 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

According to Paul Jasa, Extension agricultural engineer at the University of Nebraska, no-tillers can minimize soil disturbance with existing application equipment. The key is setting the machine correctly and having the right coulters and shanks in place to do the job.

Frank Comments

A Different Look At Carbon

By Frank Lessiter posted on July 1, 2008 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

While no-tilled crops are widely considered to be among the best ways to sequester carbon, the actual amounts may actually be tied to soil type, soil drainage and soil depth.

Happy Worms Mean More Profitable No-Till Yields

Michigan producer creates a nearly perfect no-till ecosystem with the help of night crawlers.

By Mark Moore posted on July 1, 2008 | Posted in Soil Health

Jim Brushaber’s farm may not look different on the surface, but he invites you to dig a little deeper.

Saving Soil A High Priority For Illinois No-Tiller

David Uchtmann puts 240 acres of marginal cropland into filter strips, quail habitat and sod waterways to keep dirt out of creeks.

By Darrell Bruggink posted on July 1, 2008 | Posted in Soil Health

While some farmers are driven purely to make a buck, you might say that David Uchtmann is driven to get a buck.

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