cereal rye

What I’ve Learned About Fall Strip-Till, Shanks, Nitrogen & Covers

Experienced strip-tillers share lessons learned about fertilizer placement, cover crop seeding methods & equipment adjustments

By Noah Newman posted on February 6, 2024 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

Larry Tombaugh from Streator, Ill., Paul Dubbels from Fergus Falls, Minn., and Jon Stevens from Rock Creek, Minn., each shared insights about their operation at the 2023 National Strip-Tillage Conference.

Cover Crop Tips from Strip-Tillers & Researchers

Management strategies, termination times & seed mixtures are all important aspects of a successful plan

December 6, 2023 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health

Source: Nebraska Farmer

“We strip-till everything,” says Don Batie, a farmer from Lexington, Neb. “We terminate the cover crop after planting. The cover crops help retain residue on the field and provide root action to repair the soil for the next year. We want growing plants between a dead cover crop.”

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Drought Management

How Strip-Till Can Help Your Operation Survive Drought Conditions

June 21, 2023 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Soil Health, Water Management

Struggling with drought? Find practical solutions through strip-till farming techniques with the help of our recommended articles from Strip-Till Farmer and Cover Crop Strategies.

Spring Burndown Considerations: Air Temps & Herbicide Efficacy

April 28, 2023 | Posted in Cover Crops, Crop Protection

Source: Purdue University

In the Spring, growers may experience challenges when controlling winter annuals weeds or terminating cover crops with glyphosate-based burndown herbicide programs, specifically when glyphosate is sprayed in cool, cloudy weather conditions.

Pull the Plug on Planting Green if it's Unseasonably Warm?

April 13, 2023 | Posted in Cover Crops

Source: Penn State Extension

Research from Penn State and other institutions shows that planting green significantly dries the top three inches in the soil profile compared to planting into cover crops killed a week or more pre-plant, because the growing cover crop transpires and draws water out of the root zone.

To Make Cover Crops Fit, a Little Space Makes a Big Difference

Through improvements to his implement guidance and air seeder setup, Chapin, Ill., farmer John Werries finds the cure for cover crop overgrowth and accuracy missteps.

By James DeGraff posted on March 28, 2023 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

John Werries, his son Dean, and one employee are no strangers to making adjustments year-to-year to combat the unpredictable conditions of their Chapin, Ill., operation of no-tilled beans and strip-tilled corn.

WATCH: Longtime Strip-Tiller Uses Old Feed Grinder to Blend Cover Crops

By Noah Newman posted on February 26, 2023 | Posted in Cover Crops

Jeff Duling's creativity is on full display in this video, as the longtime strip-tiller explains how he uses an old feed grinder to blend cover crop seeds.

Understanding Horseweed Emergence Patterns Remains Key to Control

2022 On-farm trial results suggest variable horseweed emergence across state: soil-residuals needed for season-long control.

January 20, 2023 | Posted in Crop Protection

Source: Penn State Extension

Glyphosate-resistant horseweed populations have become more widespread in the state and are now a significant management issue in western PA and the Northern Tier. In addition to glyphosate- or glyphosate and ALS-inhibitor resistance, horseweed is challenging to control because of variable emergence patterns.

Tackling Labor & Erosion Issues with No-Till, Strip-Till & Cover Crops

Northeast Ohio no-tiller cuts costs, boosts yields and improves soil health in 5 years.

December 13, 2022 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health

The Greens started no-tilling soybeans almost 25 years ago but continued to conventionally till corn up until 2019 when Kris fully transitioned to strip-till with corn. The conservation practices are helping to solve their two biggest challenges — soil erosion and labor shortages.