[Video] ‘Farming Smarter’ with Strip-Till, Precision Technology & Experimentation

Ray Flickner started strip-tilling almost 20 years ago in Moundridge, Kan., after installing sub-surface drip irrigation — which delivers water directly to roots underground. Ray and his late wife, Susan, received the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award in 2023 for their commitment to soil health practices and sustainable water use. “We estimate we use about 40% less water than the county average of farmers using center pivot systems,” Flickner says. Always striving to “farm smarter,” the family established the Flickner Innovation Farm, which hosts 10-15 research trials at any given time and puts cutting-edge technology to the test.

Hear directly from the top strip-till operator in the country, as determined by an independent panel of judges, when Flickner takes the stage as the 2025 Strip-Till Innovator Award recipient. Flickner details his strip-till system, including the process of split-applying nitrogen (N) with his strip-till rig, planter and irrigation system, reflects on the challenges of being an early adopter in the region and shares agronomic takeaways from dozens of on-farm trials.

The 2025 National Strip-Tillage Conference Video Replay is brought to you by HUMA Huma has been dedicated for over 50 years to improving soil and plant health by providing effective humic solutions for agriculture. We offer a range of products including macronutrients, micronutrients, nematicides, fungicides, growth managers, organic acids, and soil fertility products. These innovative solutions improve nutrient availability, soil and plant health, and crop protection, all while promoting sustainability. Learn more at HUMA. Return to the Video Gallery