Articles by Susan K. Davis

Drainage, Soybean Cover Boost Yields for Ohio No-Tiller

30-year no-tilling veteran Tom Clark is reaping the benefits of tiling improvements, cover crops and calculated planting on his 1,200 acres.

By Susan K. Davis posted on March 11, 2011 | Posted in Cover Crops, Water Management

Drainage is important in any tillage system, but even more crucial in no–till, which is why Ohio no-tiller Tom Clark makes sure drainage needs are taken care of on his fields.

Take a Step-By-Step Approach When Converting To No-Till

Cereal rye, vertical tillage and a deliberate, field approach helped Ohio no-tillers Jim and Susie Braddock convert their 2,400-acre farm to no-till

By Susan K. Davis posted on January 1, 2011 | Posted in Cover Crops

Jim and Susie Braddock are enjoying the benefits of converting their farm to no-till. But the journey to get there wasn’t easy. The Braddocks have invested nearly 20 years converting 90% of their 2,400-acre farm in Fredericktown, Ohio, to no-till.

Dare to Compare

This farmer matches his conversation system to varying soil types

By Susan K. Davis posted on November 1, 2006 | Posted in Equipment, Soil Health

Tim Manchester was nonchalantly looking over yield maps when the clusters of dots representing yields glowed as brightly as a K-Mart blue light special.

Strip-Till Offers Consistency With Heavy Clay Soils

A need for better corn stands led these brothers to strip-till

By Susan K. Davis posted on October 1, 2006 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

Source: 2006-10-01

Strip-tillage intrigued Todd and Greg Gustin of Washington Court House, Ohio. For several years, the brothers curiously watched their neighbor’s strip-till bar travel through the fields, the corn emerge quickly and the resulting higher yields.

Strip-Till Right The First Time

But first learn what will work and won’t work under your farming conditions.

By Susan K. Davis posted on October 1, 2005 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

When it comes to strip-tilling effectively, Tony and Doug Anderson benefit from both farming and equipment dealer experience. Besides farming 2,500 acres, the brothers own Anderson Equipment, a shortline dealership selling planting and tillage equipment at Washington Court House, Ohio.

No-Tilling Needs Attention To Details

Transition from conventional tillage puts young farmer on the path toward healthier, more rewarding soil.

By Susan K. Davis posted on April 1, 2005 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

PETE GOTTFRIED ROLLS his office chair over to the horizontal file. He instantly pulls out a snapshot of a field that resembles a parking lot. Heavy rains can cause the sticky, tight soils, high in magnesium, to crust and compact, explains the Nevada, Ohio, no-tiller.

Seeing Is Believing With No-Till

When this Ohio farm family started no-tilling, its average corn and soybean yields doubled.

By Susan K. Davis posted on January 1, 2005 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101

As a spirited young farmer, Von Mohler drove from Sidney, Ohio, to Hopkinsville, Ky., to see no-tiller Harry Young. He didn’t find Young, but did see impressive no-till fields.

Strips Shine In Soggy Spring

Switching from ridges to strips paid big dividends for this Ohio no-tiller, especially in wet conditions.

By Susan K. Davis posted on December 1, 2003 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming

Joe Garland examines the golden corn stalks that an earthworm has carefully dragged into its hole. The Ohio farmer finds earthworms are just one benefit of strip-tillage.

Making No-Till Corn Work

Combining several strategies helps make no-till yield as well as conventional corn.

By Susan K. Davis posted on May 1, 2003 | Posted in Equipment, Crop Protection

Jan Layman never expected to be a die-hard no-tiller. “I never thought I’d be preaching the evangelism of no-till. I enjoyed working the ground,” admits Layman of Kenton, Ohio.

Cut Rates, Not Corners

With no-tilled soybeans, this grower is saving $8 to $10 per acre on herbicide investments.

By Susan K. Davis posted on January 1, 2003 | Posted in Crop Protection

Jim Patton bends down and scrutinizes the miniscule green leaves barely poking through the Mad River Valley soils on his West Liberty, Ohio, farm.

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