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Frank Lessiter

Frank Lessiter has served as editor of No-Till Farmer since the publication was launched in November of 1972. Raised on a six-generation Michigan Centennial Farm, he has spent his entire career in agricultural journalism. Lessiter is a dairy science graduate from Michigan State University.

lessitef@lesspub.com

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Take These No-Tilling Ideas To The Field

Check out practical no-tilling ideas you can use immediately in your cropping operation.

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 1, 2002 | Posted in Equipment, Crop Protection

Plenty of good ideas for no-tillers came out of last summer’s 35th annual Top Farmer Crop Workshop at Purdue University. Here’s a quick rundown on the “best of the best” ideas.

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An Exciting 30 Years!

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 1, 2002 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101

This November issue represents the 30th anniversary of when the first copy of No-Till Farmer went in the mail. Since 1972, we’ve seen tremendous no-till growth along with many exciting, new technologies that have made this reduced tillage practice work on your farm.

Start No-Till Weed Control Now!

Especially with winter annuals, you may need to start no-till weed control this fall.

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 1, 2002 | Posted in Crop Protection

With winter annual weeds increasing in many no-tilled fields, Mark Loux says mild winters make the problem even worse.

“Rotations Are The Real Key!”

Despite cold winter temperatures and a short growing season, combining fall seeding with direct seeding is paying dividends.

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 1, 2002 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Craig Shaw farms so far north that many people believe that fall-seeded crops won’t survive because of the cold winter temperatures. But thanks to the many benefits of direct seeding, the Lacombe, Alberta, grower is definitely making fall seeding work.

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Let Carbon Boost Returns

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 1, 2002 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101

When it comes to cashing in on carbon sequestration, no-tillers are way ahead of the game. Even though there are many methods of reducing carbon dioxide emissions — such as increasing efficiency in automobiles and industry, or developing cleaner energy sources with solar and wind power — the possibilities of no-till are becoming more widely recognized.

Residue Management Starts Now!

Harvest time is when you need to find ways to warm up your no-till soils next spring.

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 1, 2002 | Posted in Residue Management, Soil Health

When it comes to effectively managing soil temperatures or moisture next spring in your no-tilled fields, your residue management strategies need to be in place this fall.

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Bt Won’t Hurt Earthworms

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 1, 2002 | Posted in Crop Protection, Soil Health

Since soil creatures definitely have a positive impact on soil quality, no-tillers normally do all they can to manage their soils in ways to protect and nurture these valuable creatures.

How Will The New Farm Bill Impact No Tillers?

Since many no-tillers already qualify for payments, you’ll be first on the list for 2002 farm bill payments.

By Frank Lessiter posted on August 1, 2002 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment

Since most no-tillers probably already qualify for payments, the new 2002 farm bill offers plenty of opportunities and should lead to further expansion of no-tilled acres. But if you're just no-tilling corn and soybeans, don' expect that rotation to automatically meet the necessary government criteria in all states.

Use New Farm Bill To Expand No-Till

No-tillers are already ahead of the curve in making the transition to lower-cost methods of farming.

By Frank Lessiter posted on August 1, 2002 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101

As a family farm manager and longtime participant in farm policy development, Dick Wittman has mixed emotions about how the new farm bill will influence the behavior of no-tillers.

Why Starter Is Critical With No-Tilled Corn

Adding potassium to your starter fertilizer may prove especially valuable.

By Frank Lessiter posted on August 1, 2002 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Even with a growing trend toward higher soil fertility levels, starter fertilizer still appears to be a good investment for most no-till corn growers. In fact, recently completed University of Wisconsin research indicates that no-till and other reduced tillage systems may even have higher-than-expected potassium needs.

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