Articles by John Dobberstein

Conflicting Stories, Messages Don’t Help Watersheds or No-Till Adoption

If we’re ever going to get anywhere with increasing conservation practices and fixing environmental issues in our watersheds we need to get consistent with the messaging.

By John Dobberstein posted on December 10, 2020

The USDA recently named 379 priority watersheds where they intend to help farmers improve water quality via focused financial and technical resources through the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI).

Back to Basics with No-Till Planting

Leveling Your No-Till Planter for Better Results

A simple review of the planter bar’s setup can help no-tillers prevent many problems with seed placement and furrow closing and provide you with better planting results.

By John Dobberstein posted on December 4, 2020 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Equipment, Precision Agriculture

This is part one of a four-article series covering the essentials of no-till planting and seeding to help growers get better results

From ‘Trash Farming’ to No-Till Success

Cover crop grazing and rotational diversity has made farming more successful and profitable for Tonkawa, Okla., grower and conservation advocate Rick Jeans.

By John Dobberstein posted on December 3, 2020 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Residue Management

DECADES AGO, no-tilling was considered to be “trash farming” in north-central Oklahoma and wasn’t a very popular practice.

Long-Term No-Till Plots Unlock Secrets of the Soil

Southern Illinois University researchers share data that explains the efficiency and effectiveness of no-till systems when it comes to profitable yields, nutrient cycling, earthworm populations and more.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 5, 2020 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

LONG-TERM DATA from one of the oldest sets of no-till research plots in the U.S. has unearthed a number of interesting findings that confirm no-tilled soils become more efficient and productive over time and do a better job of storing carbon than with tilled fields.

Applying Manure in Standing Crops Helps No-Tillers ‘Reel In’ Higher Yields

HOSE STAYS PUT. The Cadman Continuous Manure Applicator (CMA) pulls up to half a mile of hose behind the applicator. When the CMA turns, the swivel arm swings to the side, allowing the hose to stay in the same row it was pulled out on, and the hose is re-wound onto the rig.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 20, 2020 | Posted in Equipment, Nutrient Management

Applying manure to no-tilled fields can be a tough business, as it’s not always easy to do it without compacting or tearing up the ground.

Ian & Dianne Haggerty’s Regenerative Journey: Continued

By John Dobberstein posted on October 18, 2020 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health, Water Management

Dianne and Ian Haggerty say they’ve learned a lot from Australian microbiologist Walter Jehne, who talked to them about the importance of root-to-shoot ratios.

From ‘No Hope in Heck’ to Regenerative No-Tilling

Ian and Dianne Haggerty are using the concepts of “Natural Intelligence Farming” to build a regenerative enterprise focused on zero tillage, livestock integration and biologically sourced inputs that boost their soil resources and profitability.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 18, 2020 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health, Water Management

Married and both raised in farming families, Ian and Dianne Haggerty were shocked when they sought advice from a farm advisor on managing their fledgling operation in the drylands of southwestern Australia.

Another Cheap Shot at No-Till

By John Dobberstein posted on October 7, 2020

An ag publication says farmers are destroying diversity for crops getting lower yields. But there’s a hole in that theory.

Could ‘Sociology’ Bring Local Answers to Weed Problems?

By John Dobberstein posted on September 23, 2020

It might not seem “sociology” — the study of groups of people — would have anything to do with fighting herbicide resistance. But Katie Dentzman has a different idea.

Resources for Dealing with Downed Corn

By John Dobberstein posted on September 15, 2020 | Posted in Equipment, Residue Management, Precision Agriculture

Here are some tips from No-Till Farmer and other sources for adjusting combine settings, managing disease, evaluating nutrient and residue issues and more in the wake of late-season stormy weather.

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No-Till Legend Concerned About Corn Profits in 2024

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Martin Till, Vincennes, Ind., no-tiller Ray McCormick explains why it’s going to be tough to “not lose a lot of money this year” on corn. Plus, we ask our readers, “On a scale of 1-10, how concerned are you about drought this year?” Hear why some farmers are worried, and why others aren’t very worried at all.

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