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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

Which Category Do You Fall in — Messiah or Pariah?

By John Dobberstein posted on November 14, 2019

Will the gradual change in farm production practices to more wholistic methods, including no-till systems, be fought in coffee shops or courtrooms? Read about battles flaring up in two different states.

Even In Tough Times, No-Tillers Still Spending to Protect Yields

The percentage of growers applying insecticides and fungicides in cash crops, and overall spending on these crop protection products, continues to increase.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 4, 2019 | Posted in Crop Protection, No-Till 101

Although environmental pressures and concerns over soil health have caused some no-tillers to re-examine their use of insecticides and fungicides, data from the 11th annual No-Till Farmer Operational Benchmark Study shows use of these products isn’t necessarily decreasing.

Read the Fine Print on Tillage, Pulse Yields

By John Dobberstein posted on October 24, 2019

Find out what a recent University of Nebraska study concludes about germination and yields for two pulse crops after tillage was done, and what important caveats the research doesn’t address.

6 Planter Setups for Tough No-Till Conditions

Growers in central Pennsylvania share how they tweaked their planting units to optimize corn stands while still getting cover crops into their rotations.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 14, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment, Residue Management

Soil conditions in Pennsylvania can vary as much as the terrain, from sandy or clay loam to rocks and knobs of shale — presenting a potential nightmare for no-tillers trying to achieve consistent stands and protect yield potential.

Take Time to Recognize the Best Among Us

By John Dobberstein posted on October 9, 2019

Recently I came across a Tweet from cover crop educator Steve Groff, who collected a sample of “snirt” — windblown snow and dirt — from field near his farm in Pennsylvania that was being tilled.

Your Chance to Drive Conversation on Water Technology

By John Dobberstein posted on September 26, 2019 | Posted in Water Management

Just like with no-till, cover crops or anything else in production farming, peer pressure can be a major driver of change and innovation. So if you’re wanting to do something about the water-use situation in your area and be a driver of change, this might be your chance.

Cereal Rye, No-Till Practices Protect Soils, No-Tilled Cotton

Reduced soil disturbance and decades of rye has helped Jimmy and Spencer Smith keep their sandy soils in place, retain soil moisture and log the best-ever cotton crops.

By John Dobberstein posted on August 26, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Water Management

Big thunderstorms and high winds whipping through western Oklahoma don’t make farming an easy task. One wrong turn with the weather, or a poor management decision, can make or break a crop and profitability.

The Best Water-Saving Strategy Starts with What You DON’T Do

By John Dobberstein posted on August 22, 2019 | Posted in Water Management

There are lots of solutions on the table to improve water-use efficiency and address food production challenges the world is facing. But the root of these strategies needs to start with the soil.

Dryland Cover Crop Study Paints Mixed Picture, But Hope for Future

By John Dobberstein posted on August 8, 2019 | Posted in Cover Crops, Water Management

A technical bulletin released detailing the feasibility of cover crops in southwest Colorado and southeast Utah painted a mix picture, but still drew some favorable conclusions for the future of covers in semi-arid climates.

No-Tilling, Cereal Rye Handles Saturated Soils, Improves Stands

No-tilling and planting green into living covers is the right formula to help Frank Martin improve the tilth of his shallow, claypan soils and get better planting results.

By John Dobberstein posted on August 4, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Water Management

Frank Martin likes to keep things simple. He uses older combines with no yield monitors and he isn’t into using a lot of precision mapping on his 800-acre farm.

View All Articles by John Dobberstein

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