In the chemical age of agriculture that began in the 1960s, potassium chloride (KCl), the common salt often referred to as potash, is widely used as a major fertilizer in the Corn Belt without regard to the huge soil reserves that were once recognized for their fundamental importance to soil fertility.

Just 3 years ago, many strip-tillers in the Corn Belt struggled to harvest crops in wet fields, which limited or even eliminated fall strip-tilling. This fall, it's fields with dry soils that may pose problems for strip-tillers. But following three strategies can help strip-tillers manage dry soils, says , says Jodi DeJong-Hughes, University of Minnesota Extension crops and tillage educator.

If there ever was a time to consider nitrogen choices other than anhydrous ammonia, this might be one of them

Even during the driest of times the strip-till approach can still do a lot for farmers.

Even during the driest of times the strip-till approach can still do a lot for farmers.

Whether you lose the heart of your watermelon or the heart of your line-up on your ball team, your overall production will suffer, and that is what has happened to U.S. corn production as all of the major corn growing states suffered a reduction from their expected trend yield.

Common questions about strip-till get answered by veteran conservation tillage agronomist Pete Hill.

As planting season approaches for the eastern Corn Belt, corn growers will be making a series of important decisions, including how many seeds to plant per acre for the best potential yield.

Farmers interested in planting cover crops to improve soil health can now find information and tips in a new pocket guide produced by the Midwest Cover Crops Council and Purdue University.