Articles by Julie Orchard

Fires Scorch No-Till Profits

A no-tiller’s investment in crop residue can go up in smoke during field fires, but some steps can be taken to soften the blow

By Julie Orchard posted on January 1, 2011 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

As a no-tiller, you know crop residue is crucial to the success of the system. It protects the soil against the forces of wind and water erosion, provides food for earthworms and microorganisms and holds valuable nutrients.

On-Farm Research Eliminates No-Till Guesswork

By Julie Orchard posted on March 1, 1999 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

When something works, it’s hard to make changes. Conversely, without change, it’s hard to make improvements. That’s what’s leading more no-tillers to on-farm testing to validate the value of change.

No-Till Weed Wisdom

Don’t let a sudden shift in weed species convince you to bring out the disc.

By Julie Orchard posted on March 1, 1999 | Posted in Crop Protection

After attending a number of no-till meetings and conferences, Blair, Neb., no-tiller Tim Andersen knew weeds could be conquered with plenty of good planning before no-tilling.

In Pursuit of a Three-Crop Rotation

Slimming corn and soybean profit margins has made this veteran no-tiller a big believer in trying alternative crops.

By Julie Orchard posted on March 1, 1999 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

John Steinke looks back at his decision to get out of the hog business five years ago as one of the best decisions he's ever made.

Saturated Soils Don’t Slow No-Till

Learn how these Iowa no-tillers use no-till to keep planting right on schedule even after heavy spring rains.

By Julie Orchard posted on February 1, 1999 | Posted in Water Management

Heavy, springtime rain showers are all too common in Paul Thieschafer’s opinion. The Council Bluffs, Iowa, no-tiller knows only too well what havoc these rain clouds can bring to a timely planting schedule.

Fertility is First Priority for No-Tillers

Rather than hit new technology head-on, these Nebraska no-tillers found it pays to concentrate on just one area at a time.

By Julie Orchard posted on January 1, 1999 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Nutrient Management

With 2,400 hogs, 1,000 acres of crops, 100 yearling steers and a Vermeer hay equipment business, Kurt and Gordon Ohnoutka could be described as the gurus of farm enterprise management.

Converting To Continuous No-Till

This Nebraska no-tiller makes continuous no-tillage work to his advantage with simple management techniques.

By Julie Orchard posted on January 1, 1999 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Whatever your age, change can be hard to accept. Sometimes it even takes some gentle prodding before you'll change your ways.

It’s What Works For You

Ed and Jim Myer have “personalized” no-tillage to meet their farm’s soil conditions.

By Julie Orchard posted on January 1, 1999 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Heavy clay loam soils and cold, wet springtime soil conditions have caused Ed and Jim Myer to tailor a conservation program that meets their farm operation's challenging characteristics.

Using Nature’s Natural Tillage

The concept of tillage has taken on an entirely different form on this farm.

By Julie Orchard posted on December 1, 1998 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101

Snow falls, temperatures plummet and winds whip through the Loess hills of Valparaiso, Neb. It may seem hard to beleive for many no-tillers, but it’s Kurt Ohnoutka’s favorite time of the year.

Regulatory Precautions

Are more regulations in store for no-tillers? This Iowa farmer isn’t taking chances.

By Julie Orchard posted on December 1, 1998 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Pesticides and fertilizers are such key components for successful no-tillage that Merlin Jones wants to be prepared for a worst-case scenario of tighter restrictions by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

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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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