Articles by John Dobberstein

Tips For No-Tilling ‘Lean And Green’

No-tillers who do their own onfarm research can harvest the data needed to make better decisions about their farm systems and inputs.

By John Dobberstein posted on December 1, 2012 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Nutrient Management

One way no-tillers can make their farms more profitable is to put their management decisions under a closer microscope and determine if they’re making the right choices about fertilizers, hybrids/varieties, row spacing or equipment

Could We See Another Dust Bowl Era In The U.S.?

By John Dobberstein posted on November 21, 2012 | Posted in Water Management

With a historic drought pounding the U.S. this year, an important question is being raised once again: Could we see another Dust Bowl era in the U.S.?

Poll

Should Federal Crop Insurance Eligibility by Tied to Conservation Compliance?

By John Dobberstein posted on November 16, 2012 | Posted in Crop Protection

From November 16th, 2012 - December 15th, 2012, we asked No-Till Farmer readers: "Should eligibility for federal crop insurance be tied to conservation compliance?"

Tough Road Ahead For Conservation Programs

By John Dobberstein posted on November 7, 2012 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

As you read this edition of E-Tip today, Barack Obama has been re-elected, Republicans still control the U.S. House, and a tough road lies ahead for various conservation programs you've become familiar with.

Building A Farm From The Ground Up

For Jim Kline, tiling, onfarm research and reduced tillage are a foundation for success, but ‘farming with integrity’ is the heart of his family’s operation.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101

Having started his farming career as a high-school freshman, Jim Kline knows that building a farm can take a lifetime, and it can be undone in an instant by poor decision-making.

Cover Crops Vs. Tile: Which Is The Best?

In the spring, cover crops might serve as a less-expensive alternative to tile systems for drying out fields. But tile has its own perks, and the two systems may be best working together.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 1, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops, Water Management

With crop prices and farm incomes at record levels, many no-tillers have been pouring substantial sums of money into improving drainage.

Drought Continues Across Corn Belt

By John Dobberstein posted on October 17, 2012 | Posted in Water Management

Even though temperatures have cooled and rainfall has eased drought conditions in some parts of the Corn Belt, worries about drought conditions remain elsewhere.

November 2012 Poll: Fall Herbicide Applications in 2012

By John Dobberstein posted on October 16, 2012 | Posted in Crop Protection

From October 16th, 2012 - November 15th, 2012, we asked No-Till Farmer readers: "Will you make herbicide applications this fall to any of your planned crop acreage for 2013?"

‘Quadbaler’ Swaths And Bales In One Pass

Washington no-tiller Byron Seney created an attachment that let him fasten a draper header to a tractor to swath and windrow wheat stubble for his baler.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 1, 2012 | Posted in Equipment, Residue Management

A Washington no-tiller has designed an attachment that allows him to use a draper header on his tractor to swath and bale wheat stubble in one pass.

Cover Crops: Starting Is The First Step

The right covers can transform tough soils, but no-tillers must fight past early challenges to find what works on their farm, Terry Taylor says.

By John Dobberstein posted on October 1, 2012 | Posted in Cover Crops

Terry Taylor has spent much of his adult life figuring out how to unlock the potential of cover crops on his southern Illinois farm.

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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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