Articles by Julie Orchard

Justified Cultivation

Adapting tried-and-true no-till to include field cultivation ahead of planting soybeans helped Brent Arp’s earthworm populations rebound.

By Julie Orchard posted on September 1, 1998 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

It's logical that no-till fields would have more earthworms because tillage isn’t breaking apart their homes. What’s illogical is how after 20 years of no-tillage, Brent Arp saw a sudden decline in earthworm populations.

Test Plot Design Gets Easier

The split-planter comparison methods provides a simple, reliable way to gather highly valuable on-farm yield data.

By Julie Orchard posted on August 1, 1998 | Posted in Precision Agriculture

Yield monitors are an unparalleled data-collection device for on-farm testing, says Tom Doerge, Pioneer precision farming specialist.

Create Your Own No-Till Business Plan

Efficiency is only your price of admission to the future, but how you differentiate yourself is what matters most.

By Julie Orchard posted on August 1, 1998 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Looking down the road five years, what is your no-till operation going to look like?

The Leading Edge

When "times were tough," these Iowa farmers used no-till as a management tool to expand their acreage.

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

During the 1980s, the last thing many growers were looking for was more land to farm. Missouri Valley, Iowa, cash croppers Gail and Duane Witt saw this as an opportunity to expand from 1,200 to 4,000 acres by switching to no-till.

Feed No-Till Soils For Higher Productivity

Focusing on soil fertility, instead of just plant fertility, maximizes no-till’s yield potential.

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

A no-tiller is synonymous with a mechanic in Carlos Crovetto’s opinion. As a farmer in Concepcion, Chile, Crovetto has seen how crop residue can repair soil that’s been depleted of nutrients from prolonged use of traditional tillage.

Taking the Lead in No-Till

An early adapter of no-till, Charles Barkley says the system is just as important today as it was 15 years ago.

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

As with anything new, Charles Barkley heard plenty of negative reports about no-tillage from other farmers.

Worry-Free No-Till Spraying

This new spray adjuvant improves consistency of herbicide performance and minimizes spray drift.

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

After using array in all burndown and post herbicide applications the last two years, John Obery has peace of mind.

Strategies For No-Tilling Short-Season Crops

By Julie Orchard posted on May 1, 1998 | Posted in Cover Crops

No-tillers in the Northern Plains face many challenges, not the least of which is a short growing season. Average frost-free days range from 90 to 125 days.

Creating a New No-Till Management Style

As precision farming technology advances, no-tillers who fine tune their management style will keep the competitive edge.

By Julie Orchard posted on May 1, 1998 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

Most people who meet Doug Harford are so impressed with his precision farming knowledge, they assume he holds a doctorate in agricultural engineering.

Drill Brings No-Till To New Terrains

By Julie Orchard posted on May 1, 1998 | Posted in Equipment

Steep hills and sloping terrain are where no-till should have its biggest benefits. However, Pacific Northwest growers often avoid conservation tillage because it’s hard to keep seed and fertilizer separate with no-till drills, says J.W. Thomas.

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Last-Minute Planter Prep for No-Tillers & Strip-Tillers

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Martin-Till, precision specialist Chad Baker, co-owner of Baker Precision Planter Works in Orangeville, Ill., helps a first-generation no-tiller with planter setup, and later encounters a couple problems with a strip-tiller’s new 24-row planter. Plus, veteran agronomist Brad Forkner checks in with a couple tips for farmers to keep in mind before they take the field.

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