Every farmer knows the value of getting into the field sooner - but residue breakdown can hold you back. Discover how the right residue management practices can help you close the gap between burndown and planting…and answer the question: What would planting earlier mean for your operation?
Dustin Blunier, Director of Agronomy at PhycoTerra, and Chad Rubbelke, owner of Rubbelke Farms, unpack the agronomic and operational impact of unmanaged residue. You’ll hear both the science and the in-field results showing how microbial food sources can accelerate residue breakdown, improve soil structure, unlock nutrients, and deliver 3–5 degrees warmer soil temperatures. That added warmth can mean earlier planting in the spring and stronger emergence.
For strip-tillers, that means a faster return on nutrients tied up in residue, better seedbed conditions, and more consistent stands. Whether you’re strip-tilling, no-tilling, or still relying on extra nitrogen or tillage, this conversation will give you fresh ways to approach residue management this fall.
Key Takeaways:
- The true operational, yield, and soil health costs of crop residue
- Why residue doesn’t break down effectively without the right microbial food
- Field trial results and in-season insights from a grower who’s seen the difference
- How PhycoTerra fits into your post-harvest system…no program overhaul needed
This free digital product demonstration is brought to you by Strip-Till Farmer and PhycoTerra.
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About the Speakers
Dustin Blunier — Director of Agronomy, PhycoTerra
Dustin Blunier is an experienced agronomist and agribusiness professional with a strong track record in the commercial agriculture industry. In his current role, Dustin bridges the gap between research, product development and commercialization teams, translating field-level insights into actionable information and strategies, supporting the dissemination of performance data, product messaging, and trial results.
A Certified Crop Advisor, Dustin brings over two decades of expertise in agronomic consulting, precision seeding technology, and product development. His career has included leadership roles in training, marketing, event management, and grower consulting, working with top-tier farm equipment companies Precision Planting and Falcon Soil Technology as well as crop input companies Helena Agri-Enterprises and AgReliant Genetics to help growers implement data-driven fertility and seeding programs.
Chad Rubbelke — Owner, Rubbelke Farms
Chad Rubbelke is the owner of Rubbelke Farms, a 3,000-acre farm operation, and a respected voice in the on-farm research communities. Raised in a family where conservation and sustainable farming were central, Chad’s grandfather’s environmental stewardship left a strong impression, shaping Chad’s belief that healthy soil and science-led decisions are essential to productive farming.
He manages all facets of the business - marketing, financial planning, mechanical operations, and scientific experimentation - and has pushed for innovation in how inputs are applied. Chad also plays a leadership role in on-farm research with a footprint spanning North Dakota and Iowa. He continually tests and refines practices - harnessing data and tweaking inputs - to boost yields while preserving environmental health.
