Articles by Dan Zinkland

High Boy Changes The Game For No-Tillers Seeding Cover Crops

Seeding with a high boy gets cover crops established sooner than drilling and leads to better stands than aerial application.

By Dan Zinkland posted on July 1, 2010 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

Cover crops' specialist David Wilson minces no words when he describes the potential impact of the high boy that Loysville, Pa., no-tiller Charles Martin made in 2009 to seed cover crops into standing corn and soybeans.

The Elements For Getting Off To A Good Start

Zinc, starter and residue managers get corn growing well for Virginia no-tiller Archer Ruffin.

By Dan Zinkland posted on July 1, 2010 | Posted in Residue Management, Nutrient Management

Like many no-tillers, Archer Ruffin believes in the value of micronutrients like zinc to get no-tilled corn off to a good start. But it may come as a surprise that Ruffin applies zinc in a two-pronged approach when planting corn.

Roll, Flatten, Crimp, Chop And Kill

Three veteran no-tillers share how they use rollers, crimpers and choppers to manage corn stalks and cover crops.

By Dan Zinkland posted on July 1, 2010 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Precision Agriculture

Corn stalks puncturing new and slightly worn tires on the tractor and corn planter of Kansas no-tiller Terry Jacob pushed him to find a solution that would save money on tires.

Soil Fungi Are The Root Of All Yields

Invisible to the naked eye, soil fungi bring nutrients and water to roots and fend off disease, too

By Dan Zinkland posted on June 1, 2010 | Posted in Soil Health

If you asked 1,000 people what part of the plant is responsible for uptake of moisture and nutrients, 999 would say it’s the roots, says Larry Simpson, director of education and training for Mycorrhizal Applications in Grants Pass, Ore.

Strip Intercropping Reduces Soil Erosion, Increases Corn Yields

Herbicide-tolerant crops make managing strips easier, but the system works best for no-tillers with smaller farms and planters

By Dan Zinkland posted on June 1, 2010 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

No-tillers who strip intercrop often do so to increase corn yields — the result of exposing more outside rows of corn to the sun.

Is There A Good Alternative Soybean?

Non-GMO and specialty soybeans offer growers the possibility of solid yields, management of glyphosate resistance and good financial returns — if they can identify a market

By Dan Zinkland posted on May 1, 2010 | Posted in Crop Protection

Soybeans that tolerate glyphosate have accounted for more than 90% of U.S. soybean acreage for much of the past decade. But no-tillers may be able to find conventional soybeans or alternatives to Roundup Ready that are more profitable due to premiums and offer the added bonus of managing for glyphosate resistance by using herbicides with differing modes of action.

What’s The Payback On Precision Ag?

Researcher studies the value of lightbars, universal and integrated auto-steering and seed row shutoff clutches, as well other intangibles of precision technology

By Dan Zinkland posted on May 1, 2010 | Posted in Precision Agriculture

It makes sense to scrutinize the financial returns of precision ag technology costs, says Matt Darr, an Iowa State University ag engineer. But Darr says farmers continually remind him about the intangible benefits of using these tools that in many cases are just as important as dollars-and-cents justification.

Strip-Tillers Putting Manure In Its Place

Injecting manure into strips allows more efficient use of manure, increases yields and creates a positive public perception of farmers

By Dan Zinkland posted on May 1, 2010 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

Strip-tilling and applying manure simultaneously may make as much sense as other dynamic duos in agriculture, like corn and soybeans, ham and eggs and “rain makes grain.”

8 Areas To Focus On For Higher Wheat Yields

Residue management, proper seeding rates, timely nitrogen applications and scouting for diseases are some of the keys to pushing no-till wheat yields to worthwhile levels

By Dan Zinkland posted on May 1, 2010 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Crop Protection, Residue Management

From the Pacific Northwest to the Great Plains to the Eastern Corn Belt, no-tillers John Aeschliman, Dan Forgey, Allen Dean and Romey Bardwell grow different varieties of dryland wheat in different soils in areas receiving vastly different amounts of rain.

5 Top Tips For Readying John Deere No-Till Drills

Investing time now to maintain John Deere no-till drills with single-disc openers can head off costly downtime and improve field performance.

By Dan Zinkland posted on April 1, 2010 | Posted in Equipment

John Deere's no-till single-disc opener, such as those used on its 750, 1590, 1850, 1890 and other drills, is the most common drill opener on the market.

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Articles by Dan Zinkland

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