Articles by Laura Barrera

4 Factors that Improve Your No-Till Corn Yield & Profits

By Laura Barrera posted on June 16, 2023 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Water Management

Yield record holders Randy Dowdy and David Hula point out no-tillers may have more control over certain factors that influence yield than they may think.

Hula & Dowdy's 5 Ways to Become a More Profitable No-Tiller

By Laura Barrera posted on June 12, 2023 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Water Management

An important part of maximizing profits is what David Hula and Randy Dowdy call being “a student of the crop.”

Nutrient Management

How Much Do Stratified Soils Cost in Dollars & Bushels?

In No-Till Legend Marion Calmer’s attempt to destratify his soils from decades of broadcasting fertilizer, he discovers the practice is costing him in yield and return on investment.

By Laura Barrera posted on May 24, 2023 | Posted in Nutrient Management

No-Till Legend Marion Calmer has a confession. He broke the No.1 rule of being a no-tiller and moldboard plowed part of a long-term no-till field.

Proper Fertilizer Timing & Placement Optimizes Nutrient Needs

Deciding when & how to apply fertilizer depends on the nutrients, crops, equipment available & economic feasibility.

By Laura Barrera posted on March 27, 2023 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Many farmers are well-versed in the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship: apply the right source at the right rate, at the right time, in the right place. Following this framework ensures crops use nutrients efficiently and effectively, helping no-tillers maximize their fertilizer budget.

How to Grow 90 Units of Nitrogen Per Acre

Delaware no-tiller Jay Baxter increases profitability by planting green into hairy vetch.

By Laura Barrera posted on November 29, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops

There’s a saying in Delaware that the state is always 10 days away from a drought.

Placing Soil Stratification Under a Microscope

By collecting soil samples by the inch, veteran no-tiller Marion Calmer pinpointed why he was seeing nutrient deficiencies in his crops, despite soil tests indicating otherwise.

By Laura Barrera posted on November 3, 2022 | Posted in Nutrient Management

It was at the 2017 National No-Tillage Conference that Marion Calmer began to wonder if stratification was a problem on his no-till farm in Alpha, Ill.

Under Pressure: Tires Can Protect Soil, Increase Yields

Lowering your tire pressure without sacrificing performance can improve traction, lessen soil compaction, improve fuel usage and even raise yields.

By Laura Barrera posted on September 2, 2022 | Posted in Equipment

James Tuschner is confident no-tillers can increase their yields, and their bottom lines, just by making changes to their tires.

Correcting Nutrient Issues with Real-World Soil Tests

Neal Kinsey breaks down real soil test reports, offers recommendations for correcting nutrient imbalances and adds what no-tillers should consider with their own soil test results.

By Laura Barrera posted on September 2, 2022 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Neal Kinsey has heard some people say that the purpose of a soil test is just to point you in the right direction.

Capitalize on Conservation with Funding Programs

Whether it’s through the government, carbon markets or private companies, a number of opportunities can help no-tillers adopt regenerative ag practices profitably.

By Laura Barrera posted on July 13, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Soil Health, Water Management

Most growers don’t realize just how many opportunities there are to fund new conservation practices.

Crop, Animal Diversity Bring Stronger Soil & New Income Streams

By implementing the soil health principles, this South Dakota family is making plants and animals work together to improve the land while also protecting profitability.

By Laura Barrera posted on March 29, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection

In 1993, Levi Neuharth’s father went to his banker and told him he was going to sell all of his tillage equipment to buy a sprayer and no-till drill.

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No-Till Legend Concerned About Corn Profits in 2024

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Martin Industries, Vincennes, Ind., no-tiller Ray McCormick explains why it’s going to be tough to “not lose a lot of money this year” on corn. Plus, we ask our readers, “On a scale of 1-10, how concerned are you about drought this year?” Hear why some farmers are worried, and why others aren’t very worried at all.

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