Have you seen any good news lately for corn and soybean farmers? As I write this in early May, planting is largely on schedule. 

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has eliminated about 20% of the global supply of nitrogen (N). Apparent good news is that 80% of U.S. farmers had already purchased their fertilizer for this season. But 70% claim they can’t afford the fertilizer needed for their crops. Can both be true?

Now, I’m not downplaying the financial issues facing no-tillers and strip-tillers. Whether you realize it or not, your neighbors who till the ground at least every other year are spending about $50 an acre more than you.

Recently, Holly Spangler, editor of Prairie Farmer, wrote a good article about the financial chaos for farmers. I responded that cutting costs is the key to survival and prosperity. And she agrees.

Here’s more of what I wrote to Holly, emphasizing that my “intriguing idea” is NOT workable! Have all major crop acres switch to no-till or strip-till roughly over a 3-year period. For most farms there may be a slight drop in yields for the first 1 to 3 years without tillage.

In that transition time, there will be some extra costs, but they could be offset…