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John Dobberstein

John Dobberstein

John Dobberstein is senior editor of No-Till Farmer magazine and the e-newsletter Dryland No-Tiller. He previously covered agriculture for the Tulsa World and worked for daily newspapers in Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Joseph, Mich. He graduated with a B.A. in journalism and political science from Central Michigan University.

Articles

ARTICLES

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‘Split Decision’ Helping More No-Tillers Improve Their Nitrogen Efficiency

Growers and researchers say they’re seeing increased corn yields and more application flexibility with Y-drop systems with targeted placement.
By John Dobberstein posted on May 1, 2020 | Posted in Equipment, Nutrient Management
With corn prices continuing on a stagnant path for the foreseeable future, many no-tillers are looking for ways to ratchet up efficiency with their inputs, including with nitrogen (N).
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Putting the ‘Proof’ in No-Till

Missouri no-tiller Brian Martin is using a methodical, data-driven approach to building a no-till system that is both efficient and profitable.
By John Dobberstein posted on April 29, 2020 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment
FOR BRIAN MARTIN, it’s not hard to see that having a no-till system keeps soil in place on his farm’s sloping terrain. But Martin also has a thirst for looking beyond the anecdotes for data that spells out what practices benefit the bottom line.
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Do We Still Only Have 60 Harvests Left?

By John Dobberstein posted on March 25, 2020
With the passing of National Ag Day last week, we celebrate what’s been done to improve the sustainability of farming operations, but look ahead to what we must do to preserve and protect food security for future generations.
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Digging Up Soil Health, Profitability with ‘Biotic’ Farming

Brendon Rockey turned to companion cropping, covers, compost applications and livestock to regenerate soils on his potato farm in a dry, arid environment.
By John Dobberstein posted on March 1, 2020 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health, Water Management
For all intents and purposes, Brendon Rockey farms in a desert where native soils have almost zero organic matter and precipitation is infrequent. But as bleak as that may sound, Rockey’s farm is actually thriving and biologically active.
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Get Cotton Off on the Right Foot with No-Till

By John Dobberstein posted on February 27, 2020
Growers in the Northern High Plains of Texas are turning to cotton plantings in hopes of reducing their watering needs and possibly extending the life of the Ogallala aquifer. There’s one tool that should be used on all these new acres that could make this endeavor more profitable.
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‘Getting Paid’ for Your No-Till Soil Health

Indigo Ag, Nori pushing programs to pay farmers for the carbon they sequester, as a switch to the open market looms.
By John Dobberstein posted on February 26, 2020 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health
While it may not be an immediate windfall, no-tillers who’ve been doing the right thing to protect and enrich their soils may finally have a chance to cash in on that beyond the money they’ve already saved in fuel, machinery and labor.
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Regenerative Farming Effects on Water Quality

Regenerative Farming Effects on Water Quality

Addressing a gathering of the Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil & Healthy Water, Russell Hedrick of Hickory, N.C., shares a presentation on the impacts on water quality that can be realized by utilizing regenerative ag practices, such as growing cover crops, reducing soil disturbance, maintaining soil armor, and integrating livestock.
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Milan No-Till Field Day

Date: 07/23/20
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The historic Milan No-Till Crop Production Field Day, presented by University of Tennessee AgResearch and UT Extension, is going virtual for 2020.
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