Articles by John Dobberstein

Pay Closer Attention to Micros to Preserve Higher No-Till Yields

Soil lab tests indicate many growers are mining their soils and neglecting micronutrient levels, which could hurt crop yields and profits in the long run.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 14, 2015 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

EVEN THOUGH micronutrients play a crucial role in plant development, some recently publicized analyses of soil and tissue tests across several states show a large percentage of growers are running a deficit with some micros.

Building No-Till Profits and Protecting the Environment

Spoon-fed nutrients, tramlines and precise seeding machines serve as a profitable combination for Warsaw, Va., no-tiller Craig Brann.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 14, 2015 | Posted in Residue Management, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture

Surrounded by two major rivers and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Craig Brann likes to say he “farms on a sandbar” in eastern Virginia.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

More Than What Meets the Eye

By John Dobberstein posted on November 11, 2015 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health, Water Management

Cover crop adoption has been a little slower in parts of the Great Plains, possibly more over fear of the unknown than actual poor outcomes seen by growers. But researchers reviewing decades of cover-crop studies say there are plenty of benefits to covers, whether you farm in the warm southern Plains or cooler prairies of western Canada.

Introducing Mark Watson’s No-Till Notes

By John Dobberstein posted on November 11, 2015 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Seeding & Planting, Residue Management

We’re launching a new regular feature in our twice-a-month Dryland No-Tiller newsletter. Mark Watson is a successful no-tiller in the Panhandle area of western Nebraska and has served as the Panhandle no-till education coordinator since 2007. He also serves as chairman of the Panhandle No-Till Partnership.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

More Possibilities for Cover Crops

By John Dobberstein posted on October 29, 2015 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

Early termination, inclusion of legume species and a little patience might be what’s needed to make green manures and cover crops work in the drier areas of the U.S. without dinging yields and profits.

Precision Tune-Up Pays Off with Big No-Till Dividends

Indiana no-tillers Nathan Lykins and Paul Ketner are using variable-rate planting and fertilizer applications to break through yield barriers.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 26, 2015 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment, Nutrient Management

Rolling terrain, variable soil types and all-or-nothing precipitation events can bring a challenge for even the most seasoned no-tillers.

Swapping Fallow for Covers Boosts No-Till, Dryland Margins

John Heermann is using cover-crop mixes and a diverse, flexible crop rotation to eliminate summerfallow and improve the bottom line.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 26, 2015 | Posted in Cover Crops, Water Management

A few years ago, John Heermann sat down to do his annual budgeting ahead of the next cropping season and sensed a problem was brewing.

How Fast Can You Really No-Till?

New planter technology could help no-tillers and strip-tillers speed up planting by 2-5 mph, but field conditions and attachment choices will determine the upper limit and level of success, experts say.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 26, 2015 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment, Precision Agriculture

When planting season arrives, time is money — and it’s clearer than ever that no-tillers and strip-tillers are facing a tightening window to get their crops in before yield potential is lost.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Crop Insurance Rules Still Hinder Cover Crop Adoption

By John Dobberstein posted on October 14, 2015 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Soil Health

While it’s clear cover crops have plenty to offer in revitalizing farms on the Great Plains, there is still a lot of apprehension among growers about how covers might affect crop insurance eligibility in those fields.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Think Residuals to Beat Palmer Amaranth

By John Dobberstein posted on September 23, 2015 | Posted in Crop Protection

If you have soybeans in your rotation — and 55% of Dryland No-Tiller readers indicate they do — you’ll want to pay increasing attention to any Palmer amaranth or waterhemp showing up in crops.

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Last-Minute Planter Prep for No-Tillers & Strip-Tillers

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Martin-Till, precision specialist Chad Baker, co-owner of Baker Precision Planter Works in Orangeville, Ill., helps a first-generation no-tiller with planter setup, and later encounters a couple problems with a strip-tiller’s new 24-row planter. Plus, veteran agronomist Brad Forkner checks in with a couple tips for farmers to keep in mind before they take the field.

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Articles by John Dobberstein

Pay Closer Attention to Micros to Preserve Higher No-Till Yields

Building No-Till Profits and Protecting the Environment

More Than What Meets the Eye

Introducing Mark Watson’s No-Till Notes

More Possibilities for Cover Crops

Precision Tune-Up Pays Off with Big No-Till Dividends

Swapping Fallow for Covers Boosts No-Till, Dryland Margins

How Fast Can You Really No-Till?

Crop Insurance Rules Still Hinder Cover Crop Adoption

Think Residuals to Beat Palmer Amaranth

Top Articles

Current Issue

No-Till Farmer

Buffett Foundation Supports Ukrainian Farmers with Equipment, Financial Aid

Diversifying No-Till Operation with Dairy Makes Smart Business Sense

Food Companies Lack Funding Plans for Sustainability, Regenerative Ag

Must Read Free Eguides

Videos

Last-Minute Planter Prep for No-Tillers & Strip-Tillers

Needham Ag Technologies, LLC

Titan International, Inc

The Andersons PureGrade