There is no doubt that strip-till and precision farming go hand-in-hand. Strip-tillers use RTK and variable-rate technology to get the most out of their inputs. Some planters are often equipped with devices that let farmers match seed-depth placement to soil type, and sprayers can regulate nutrient application by the drop.

Strip-till isn't a one-size fits-all concept. For starters, there's a considerable amount of patience and persistence that comes with taking the time to build strips, manage residue and precisely place seed.

The increasing amount of strip-till equipment on the market, along with RTK and new options for spring strip-till, are making it easier for farmers to start and continue strip-tilling successfully, says Jodi DeJong-Hughes, a strip-till expert for University of Minnesota Extension.

Strip-tilled corn may get lots of attention, but Webster City, Iowa, strip-tiller Arlo Van Diest also likes using the practice for soybeans.