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Martha Mintz

Since 2011, Martha has authored the highly popular “What I’ve Learned About No-Till” series that has appeared in every issue of No-Till Farmer since August of 2002.

Growing up on a cattle ranch in southeastern Montana, Martha is a talented ag writer and photographer who lives with her family in Billings, Montana.

Articles

ARTICLES

Clover Covers Offer More Than Just Nitrogen

Several no-tillers discuss how they’re working out the kinks of using clover cover crops and raking in the benefits in their no-till fields.

By Martha Mintz posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops

Nitrogen production is usually first on the list of reasons to use a clover cover crop, but no-tillers are finding there are many more benefits to be had.

Garbage-In, Garbage-Out Soil Sample Data

The advice may vary this year, but a good overall plan for soil data collection and use is a perennial must.

By Martha Mintz posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in Precision Agriculture, Soil Health

Now more than ever before, no-tillers have the ability to compile mounds and mounds of data. But you may need to be careful about gathering too much rope.

If It’s Not Working Perfectly… Tweak It!

North Dakota strip-tiller Paul Anderson doesn’t just assume the equipment and strategies he uses will work. He makes them work by adapting them to his farm and needs.

By Martha Mintz posted on October 1, 2012 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment

Finding a factory-stock piece of equipment on Paul Anderson’s Coleharbor, N.D., farm is close to impossible.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

Balanced Soil Is The Base For Strip-Till Success

When making farm-management decisions, second-generation strip-tiller Bill Darrington considers the impact on soil life and structure from every angle.

By Bill Darrington and Martha Mintz posted on October 1, 2012 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

The more I learn about farming, the more I’m impressed with the things my father did when he was more involved in the operation.

Fertilizing Based On Yield Potential, Not Goals

Considering more data than just a soil test allows North Dakota no-tiller Mike Zimmerman to dial in fertility applications for current conditions.

By Martha Mintz posted on September 1, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

A change in soil sampling and fertility application may be just the ticket for Garrison, N.D., no-tiller Mike Zimmerman to achieve his farm goals.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

Bill Richards — The Grandfather Of No-Till

Richards worked with a who’s who of no-till innovators to help refine the systems used in many no-till fields today.

By Bill Richards and Martha Mintz posted on September 1, 2012 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Equipment

Somewhere along the line I earned the title ‘Grandfather of No-Till’ and I suppose after more than 50 years in the game the name fits.

New Specialty Crops Offer Bonus No-Till Income

Whether it’s soybeans, corn, sunflowers or canola, no-tillers can grow solutions to meet market demand for healthy and renewable oils, as well as more efficient ethanol production.

By Martha Mintz posted on August 1, 2012 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Generating more income on no-till acres is a powerful reason for no-tillers to raise specialty crops currently available.

A Cover Crop Bonus: Weed Suppression

With the pipeline of new herbicides hitting the market shrinking in the next decade, wisely chosen cover crops that establish quickly and are controlled properly can keep weeds at bay.

By Martha Mintz posted on August 1, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

No-tillers are finding that weed suppression can be an added benefit of using cover crops by tweaking a few management strategies in their fields.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

Constantly Building On No-Till Success

South Dakota farmers Pat and Chris Breen take no-till practices that work a step farther to maximize the benefits.

By Pat Breen and Martha Mintz posted on August 1, 2012 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Nutrient Management

I've had 25 years to refine my no-till system, but I’m nowhere near settling into a comfortable groove. My philosophy is to keep pushing my system to get more yield, use my inputs more efficiently and make life easier for myself and my son, Chris, who farms with me.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

No-Till Isn’t The Goal – It’s Sustainability

Improving the soil resource — even within long-term no-till — is one way Hans Kok believes farmers will hit higher, sustainable yields.

By Hans Kok and Martha Mintz posted on July 1, 2012 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

I've spent a good portion of my career helping producers adopt no-till practices through extension, as a Monsanto no-till specialist and, most recently, as a crop consultant.

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