Articles by Dan Zinkland

Second Generation ‘Kover Kroper’ Seeds Covers Quickly, Effectively

The latest high-clearance cover-crop seeder debuting at VanTilburg Farms holds 3,000 pounds of product and can apply cover crops, wheat or urea into standing crops.

By Dan Zinkland posted on March 1, 2013 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Precision Agriculture

While drilling is one of the best ways to seed and establish cover crops, it sometimes means waiting too long to seed corn and soybean acres.

Matching Nitrogen Rates To Strip-Till Profitability

Through research, Minnesota strip-tiller David Legvold and college senior Emma Cornwell found the most profitable rate of sidedressed liquid 28% isn’t always the highest rate.

By Dan Zinkland posted on February 1, 2013 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

Ever since David Legvold began farming land owned by St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minn., about 9 years ago, he’s worked with university professors and students to document the impacts of tillage and crop inputs on profitability, soil health and water quality.

Switch To Strip-Till, Cover Crops Friendly To Yields And Profits

For Ontario farmer Blake Vince, taking a leap with strip-till practices helped him improve corn yields, preserve soil moisture and reduce expenditures on high-dollar fuel and fertilizer.

By Dan Zinkland posted on February 1, 2013 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

While the fear of failure keeps many farmers from pulling the trigger on game-changing decisions, the lessons of conservation farming were drilled into Blake Vince’s head by his father at an early age.

Strip-Till Helps 22,000-Acre Farm Run More Efficiently

Reduced tillage passes, timely planting and erosion control are big strip-till benefits for Watts Brothers Farms as it grows vegetables to keep food packaging and production plants running.

By Dan Zinkland posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

Jermey Tuttle knows all about the benefits that strip-tillers in the Corn Belt cite about the practice, ranging from saving fuel and reducing erosion to precision placement of fertilizer.

Maintain Strip-Till Rigs To Boost 2013 Yields

Reviewing and replacing mechanical parts and checking precision-ag components, software and rate controllers can increase your chances of profitability in the next growing season.

By Dan Zinkland posted on August 1, 2012 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

Taking extra time this summer to give strip-till equipment and precision technology a thorough tuneup could make a big difference in yields and farm profitability next year, experts say.

Corn Stover Removal And No-Till: A Balancing Act

No-tillers that follow guidelines can remove some stover from continuous-corn fields and still warm up soils, improve nitrogen efficiency and retain organic matter.

By Dan Zinkland posted on June 1, 2012 | Posted in Residue Management

No-tillers growing continuous corn often face a dilemma when residue piles up in their fields after harvest, leaving a mat that can keep soils cold and wet and make planting difficult.

‘WORK THE ZONE’ To Boost Strip-Till Fertility

Placing fertilizer both shallow and deep, and planting in the middle of the berm, can maximize your strip-till corn yields.

By Dan Zinkland posted on February 1, 2012 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Strip-Till Farming

For successful results in strip-till, fertilizer needs to be placed in a zone where the roots and seedlings of corn can readily access plant-food nutrients.

Fixing Sulfur Shortages Can Boost No-Till Yields

Knowledge of vulnerable soil types and field conditions, and targeted sulfur applications, can increase crop outputs.

By Dan Zinkland posted on February 1, 2012 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Until 2 decades ago, farmers throughout the Corn Belt didn't need to worry about their fields having enough sulfur, a nutrient that is essential to photosynthesis in plants,

From ‘Walking The Beans’ To Herbicide-Resistant Crops

No-tillers can learn a few things about weed control from the early days of no-till to help them in today’s challenging weed environment.

By Dan Zinkland posted on November 1, 2011 | Posted in Crop Protection, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

When New Market, Iowa, farmer Kelly Tobin began no-tilling in 1979, he relied on atrazine for corn and 2,4-D for soybeans.

Bio Strip-Till: Best of Both Worlds

Using cover crops with strip-tillage helps growers improve the crop-row environment, build soil organic matter and protect fields from erosion.

By Dan Zinkland posted on August 1, 2011 | Posted in Cover Crops, Precision Agriculture

There’s a new hybrid practice growers are taking advantage of that marries the benefits of cover crops with those of strip-till.

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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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