Articles by Clair Urbain

How to Change with the Climate to Maintain No-Till Yields, Productivity

More erratic precipitation patterns and shifting seasons are reinforcing the value of a comprehensive no-till plan for improving soil health.

By Clair Urbain posted on September 19, 2018 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Cover Crops, Soil Health

For Jerry Hatfield, laboratory director at the USDA National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, climate change isn’t something that’s coming — it’s already here.

Using Precision Tools to Drive No-Till Performance

Whether it’s planting, fertilizing or harvesting, Illinois growers Don and Dave Myers are implementing technology in every facet of their no-till operation to achieve greater yields and returns.

By Clair Urbain posted on January 9, 2015 | Posted in Precision Agriculture

For Dave and Don Myers, measuring their progress in building a profitable no-till operation is a matter of inches — and measuring those inches.

Build Up Your No-Till Soils and Earthworms Will Come

Reducing tillage, adopting controlled traffic, seeding cover crops and improving drainage can help no-tillers build populations of these nutrient-laden subterranean creatures.

By Clair Urbain posted on December 8, 2014 | Posted in Soil Health

It's kind of a "chicken or the egg" question: Which comes first, soil health or earthworms?

Turning Back The Clock To Healthier No-Tilled Soils

Alabama’s Blythe Cotton Co. is using no-till rotations, a diverse herbicide program and a focus on precise fertilizer applications to transform their red-clay hilltops into productive soils.

By Clair Urbain posted on November 1, 2014 | Posted in Soil Health

The rolling red hills of northern Alabama share quite a history with American agriculture.

Making Dollars And ‘Sense’ With No-Till

From spraying to planting to soil sampling, Missouri no-tiller Garrett Riekhof crunches the math on nearly every equipment and precision investment to get the highest possible ‘ROI’ to the bottom line.

By Clair Urbain posted on August 1, 2014 | Posted in Precision Agriculture

When it comes to running a no-till operation precisely and profitably, Garrett Riekhof pushes the pencil on every aspect of his fifth-generation farm.

The New Era Of Spray Application

New technologies will help growers fine-tune their spraying applications as next-generation herbicide formulas and herbicide-resistant cropping systems hit the market.

By Clair Urbain posted on May 1, 2014 | Posted in Crop Protection, Precision Agriculture

New herbicide-resistant traits being introduced into seed varieties, and new formulations of tried-and-true chemicals, promise to be powerful weapons in the war on herbicide-resistant weed species.

Cut, Chop, Smooth, Mix: Vertical Tillage Seeks No-Till Role

Some no-tillers and strip-tillers say vertical-tillage tools are helping them size and incorporate residue, prepare seedbeds, reduce weed pressure and improve planting conditions without trashing no-till.

By Clair Urbain posted on November 1, 2013 | Posted in Residue Management

Since vertical-tillage implements debuted, they’ve been a bit controversial with no-tillers, with some feeling the tools violate the basic principles of no-tilling by disturbing the soil.

Fine-Tuning Fertility Makes Strip-Till More Profitable

Using precision technology, Paul and Mike Schweitzer continue to evolve their strip-till and fertilizer systems to slash input costs, preserve soil and water quality and achieve higher yields.

By Clair Urbain posted on May 1, 2013 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

Paul And Mike Schweitzer don’t see the sense in tilling every inch of every field of their 1,200-acre farm operation.

Switching Hybrids On The Fly Could Boost Corn Yields

Using equipment already available, Beck’s researchers are matching corn hybrids and populations to management zones, netting nearly 20 bushels an acre more in yields.

By Clair Urbain posted on March 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Researchers at Beck’s Hybrids are turning precision farming methods up a notch.

Promise Is Showing With Sequential Fungicide Applications

University and onfarm research is finding a one-two punch of fungicides is resulting in healthier plants and higher yields.

By Clair Urbain posted on January 1, 2013 | Posted in Crop Protection

In a world full of examples where more isn’t necessarily better, trials researching sequential fungicide applications on corn and other crops may be an anomaly.

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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 Till, 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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