After enrolling with the Midwest Climate-Smart Commodity Program, Bryan Biegler put the financial assistance to good use and made the jump from 100 acres of cover crops in 2022, to covering all 2,500 acres in 2023. He has also adopted strip-till practices throughout his farm and is looking to take the practice even further by adopting vertical tillage.

The trial resulted in a significant difference in yield response to the varied nitrogen rates. A rate of 54 gallons of 28% UAN per acre led to an increase of an average of 5.1 bushels per acre compared to a rate of 37 gallons of 28% UAN per acre. However, the higher rate of nitrogen incurred a relative loss of $28.05 per acre.

Host Jay Lynch began adopting a no-till/strip-till system about 15 years ago on his family’s Century Farm and has discovered that the key to higher yield potential, enhanced soil tilth, and effective conservation revolves around soil health.