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Articles by Frank Lessiter

Zapping Weeds, Smashing Seeds

By Frank Lessiter posted on May 13, 2017
With growing concerns about herbicide resistance, Australia no-tillers are looking at new non-chemical ways to control serious weed problems. While the 2013 no-till acreage in Australia was 43.7 million acres, there’s some thought that the country’s no-till acres have declined in recent years due to herbicide resistance worries.
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Frank Comments

Light Tillage Not the Answer

By Frank Lessiter posted on April 5, 2017
A few months back, Ohio State University agronomists produced a website article suggesting that no-tillers consider limited tillage. They felt numerous concerns with soil damage, weed control and disease pathogens and insects that survive on crop residue could be remedied with light tillage.
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legends

25 No-Till Living Legends

These highly talented folks have played a key role in no-till adoption.
By Frank Lessiter posted on March 11, 2017
As part of the 25th anniversary of the National No-Tillage Conference, the staff of No-Till Farmer honored 25 active individuals who have made no-till work and grow over the years. The No-Till History series is made possible by Calmer Corn Heads.
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NNTC

2016: Pushing No-Till Beyond Barriers

Jan. 6-9, Indianapolis • 1,104 attendees
By Frank Lessiter posted on January 14, 2017
No-tillers fighting herbicide resistance with waterhemp, Palmer amaranth or marestail in no-till soybean fields should consider using more soil residual herbicides, maintains Bryan Young. The Purdue University weed scientist says you need to match application timing and length of residual effectiveness to the period of peak emergence for these weeds.
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NNTC

2015: Building Better No-Till Practices

Jan. 14-17, Cincinnati • 935 attendees
By Frank Lessiter posted on January 14, 2017
After losing more than 80 pounds per acre of valuable nitrogen (N) from December to April, Cameron Mills found several ways to make sure cover crops were seeded on every acre. The Walton, Ind., no-tiller says soil testing showed the value of covering every acre over the winter.
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NNTC

2014: An Honest No-Till Education

Jan. 15-18, Springfield, Ill. • 1,106 attendees
By Frank Lessiter posted on January 14, 2017
Kevin Bradley urges no-tillers to fully understand the biology of each weed they’re fighting and then find ways to deal with their weaknesses. As an example, the University of Missouri weed scientist says research studies indicate that introducing pigweed seed into previously pigweed-free soils could be brought under control within a couple of years.
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NNTC

2013: Powering Up Your No-Till System

Jan. 9-12, Indianapolis • 1,222 attendees
By Frank Lessiter posted on January 14, 2017
The key to retaining moisture under no-till conditions depends on improving soil organic matter and leaving residue on the surface to reduce storm runoff, says Jerry Hatfield. The head of the National Soil Tilth Laboratory at Ames, Iowa, says saving moisture also reduces soil-water evaporation, decreases soil temperatures in the summer and allows soil biological activity to function more effectively.
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