“Our dirt is the kind they build racetracks on,” Eric Reed says. At the 2023 National Strip-Tillage Conference, the first-generation farmer, who set the Alabama National Corn Growers Assn. dryland corn yield record on poor grounds with a low budget, is on a mission to teach others how to achieve similar success in less-than-ideal conditions. The Elora, Tenn., native grows corn, soybeans and cotton on the Tennessee/Alabama border. Despite limited resources and soil that’s “as red as can be,” Reed increased his yields dramatically over a couple years, including a 100-bu./acre bump with corn. “I want to teach the farmer who thinks they can’t make it work because of financials, equipment or poor soils that they can do this.”

The 10th anniversary National Strip-Tillage Conference will be held at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center from August 2-4. A focused 3-day program covers myriad topics for profitable results in strip-till farming, including equipment set-ups, cover crops, intercropping, economic analyses, soil testing/analysis, fertilizing methods and more.

Unique from other ag conferences is the mix of general sessions, classrooms, farmer-to farmer roundtables and face time with suppliers — all designed for maximum networking and the practical transfer of experience and knowledge. The 2023 program lineup includes:

• 6 General Sessions — covering an abundance of proven strip-tilling ideas and strategies. The Premier Lecture Series will feature Chris Perkins, who has been voted a highest-rated speaker. Joining him on stage are renowned leaders such as Marion Calmer, a Lessiter Ag Media 4-time ‘Presenter of the Year,’ Tony Vyn, one of strip-till's foremost authorities who has studied the practice from its earliest days, and Jason Webster, the manager of Precision Planting’s Precision Technology Institute Research Farm, along with many more industry experts.
• 13 Farmer-to-Farmer Roundtables — informal, moderated peer-to-peer discussions on specific strip-till topics. Attendees should come with 5 questions to get answered in this proven format for sharing what works and doesn't.
• 11 Classrooms — in-depth presentation-style sessions convey practical, actionable ideas from experienced strip-tillers on the most pressing needs.
• Exclusive Pre-Conference Workshop — Just a short drive from the host hotel, attendees can experience hands-on learning at Precision Planting’s renowned 400-plus acre research farm. Rotate through 3 guided programs (PTI Farm Agronomy Tour, Strip-Till Equipment Sandbox, Soil Nutrient Management & Precision Application) that immerse you into the latest in strip-till technology and research from Precision Planting’s 150-plus agronomic plots. Participate in in-field equipment demos, review plot trial results, and see the leading edge of agronomy first-hand. Pay just $149 for this dynamic workshop limited to 150 attendees only!

Following the conclusion of the pre-conference bonus workshop at PTI Farm on Aug. 2 will be the official National Strip-Tillage Conference Welcome Reception & Supper. The evening reception at PTI Farm is open to all registered attendees. No additional fee is required, but an attendee badge is required.

A $45 Early Bird registration discount is available through May 31. Register today for just $389 and receive $30 in additional savings with each farm or family member you sign up. For more information and to register for the conference, visit the conference website. 

Title sponsors making the learning and networking opportunities possible for strip-tillers include: Ag Leader, Agrisolutions Corp., Dawn Equipment, Environmental Tillage Systems, Kuhn Krause, Martin Industries, Montag Mfg., Laforge, Nutrien, Ostara, Schlagel Mfg., Unverferth Mfg., Vulcan Equipment, and Yetter Farm Equipment. All companies will exhibit during the 3-day educational event.