Ron Ross

Ron Ross pioneered the “What I’ve Learned from No-Tilling” series that has appeared in every issue of No-Till Farmer since August of 2002. He authored more than 100 of these articles.

A graduate of South Dakota State University’s agricultural journalism program, Ross spent most of his career as a writer and editor.

Articles

ARTICLES

No-Tillers Find Success By ‘Keeping It Simple’

Variable-rate fertility, rotating herbicide-tolerant crops and improved soil organic matter helps these Wisconsin no-tillers increase yields and keep expenses in check.

By Ron Ross posted on January 1, 2012 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Water Management

When he turned to no-till in the mid-1980s, Wayne Harrison estimates as much as half of the original topsoil on some of his fields was already gone.

No-Tiller Protects Soil, Profits With New Technology

Modern planters and advanced fertilizer-application tools are helping Rod Nelson advance his decades-old no-till operation in Minnesota.

By Ron Ross posted on December 1, 2011 | Posted in Equipment, Nutrient Management, No-Till 101

In 1977, Rod Nelson had accumulated enough savings to pay down 348 acres of farmland near Chatfield in the rolling hill country of southeastern Minnesota.

U-Trough Planter System Fine-Tunes Nutrient Placement

Under development for years, the new planter setup provides basic crop-nutrient needs and stimulates soil biological activity with microbial additives.

By Ron Ross posted on October 1, 2011 | Posted in Equipment, Nutrient Management

A chance meeting with South African farmers during a trade show inspired Jeff Littrell and his company’s partners to design a planting system that simultaneously applies one dry and two liquid fertilizer products.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: No-Till Farm Success By Staying The Course

Expanding South Dakota family operation uses technology, crop diversity and better equipment to make no-till work in a limited-moisture climate

By Ralph Holzwarth and Ron Ross posted on January 1, 2011 | Posted in Crop Protection

Ten years ago, when our operation was featured in No-Till Farmer, I told the editors that I would stay with no-tillage regardless of what happened.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: Evolution To No-Till On Family Farm Pays Off

Iowa innovator links lessons he learned from others with extensive onfarm testing to fine-tune his continuous no-till system.

By Wayne Fredericks and Ron Ross posted on December 1, 2010 | Posted in Equipment, Residue Management

My first experience with no-tilling resulted from bad weather and fortunate networking with innovators who set the pace away from tillage.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: Total Commitment And Technology Make 100% No-Till Work

No-tiller Cade Bushnell made major planter changes, added continuous corn and cut nitrogen rates with a four-part program.

By Cade Bushnell and Ron Ross posted on November 1, 2010 | Posted in Equipment, Nutrient Management, Precision Ag

Shifting from conventional tillage to no-till often requires a lot of physical change in your operation. Just as importantly, adopting this new way of farming demands a strong dose of faith during a transition period that might take several years. I like to joke it’s the same kind of devotion it takes to make a good marriage work.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: It Takes Time To Learn How To No-Till Slopes That Exceed 50%

Idaho direct-seeder Russ Zenner spent more than 20 years developing rotations and testing equipment to continuously no-till some of the world’s steepest slopes.

By Russ Zenner and Ron Ross posted on October 1, 2010 | Posted in Soil Health, Water Management, No-Till 101

When I'm asked what the primary differences are between no-tilling in the Palouse region of Idaho and Washington versus the Midwest, the discussion starts with our steep slopes.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: No-Till Puts Brothers In The Winning Zone

Using the Rawson zone-till system, precision agriculture and conservation planning earns Minnesota no-tillers recognition for their yields and environmental stewardship.

By Steve Bailey, Bill Bailey, and Ron Ross posted on September 1, 2010 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health, No-Till 101

Looking back, it seems like we did everything we could to make sure no-till wouldn't work. But it fooled us.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: Seven Strategies Help Missouri No-Tiller Excel

Diverse rotations, improved plant nutrition and control of tough weeds are some of the ways Eddie Hoff boosts no-till yields.

By Eddie Hoff and Ron Ross posted on August 1, 2010 | Posted in Equipment, Soil Health, No-Till 101

I’m the third generation of the Hoff family to operate our farm near Boonville, Mo. Following an early example set by my dad, John Hoff, who first no-tilled in the early 1970s, I’ve spent the past several years fine-tuning our no-till program.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: It Pays To Listen To Your Dad About No-Till

Twenty-three years after his father suggested they no-till, Wisconsin farmer Dan Stokes no-tills corn as early as possible, grows diverse rotations, custom no-tills and milks cows, too.

By Dan Stokes and Ron Ross posted on July 1, 2010 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment, No-Till 101

Twenty-five years ago, my father, Loren Stokes, and I milked and fed a 100-cow dairy herd and were also tilling about 300 acres of farmland. Needless to say, we were busy daylight to dark. We both decided we were working too hard.

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Regenerative Farming Effects on Water Quality

Addressing a gathering of the Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil & Healthy Water, Russell Hedrick of Hickory, N.C., shares a presentation on the impacts on water quality that can be realized by utilizing regenerative ag practices, such as growing cover crops, reducing soil disturbance, maintaining soil armor, and integrating livestock.

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