Charles Martin and Andrew Bowman farm near each other outside of Oneida, Ill., in the northwest portion of the state. Both have done on-farm and development research research trials to identify more sustainable farming practices.

The recent shortage and climbing prices of glyphosate and other commonly used weed control products has many growers searching for alternative products and crop protection practices for 2022 and beyond. Get an insider’s perspective on the current supply chain challenges in crop protection and fertilizer, how best to navigate the lack of supply, and tips for making the best weed control and fertilizer decisions in the coming year

What you harvest at the end of the season is dependent on the attention given to the beginning. That starts with a crop fertility plan based on a complete soil analysis, says John Leif, Regional Sales Agronomist for AgroLiquid.

After much experimentation, Ryan Nell is seeing higher yields and more consistent results in his soybean fields. In fact, the Juneau, Wis., strip-tiller has moved his average soybean planting date up by a matter of weeks.

Long-term success with strip-till is tied to understanding your strip-till equipment management strategy and solid financial planning. Farmer, business consultant and seedsman Shay Foulk of Ag View Solutions provides a roadmap to gaining control of your farm metrics to improve your economic decision-making and planning.

As a budding soil scientist at the age of 5, Mike Petersen found himself digging in the dirt, puzzling over worms, grubs, ants, and the rich aroma of “alive” soil. Now, more than 50 years later, the independent soil consultant has spent decades researching how to produce high outputs from the seeds we plant — and do it sustainably.

Compare your strip-till practices to hundreds of other farmers across all regions of the U.S. in this interactive overview of the 2022 Strip-Till Benchmark Study results.

Although soil sampling is a foundation for managing nutrients effectively, many no-tillers would like to pinpoint plant nutrient deficiencies during the growing season before they happen. Utilizing plant sap analysis can show plant mineral levels and highlight nutritional deficiencies and excesses before they cause any damage, says John Kempf.

Adding diversity in the field comes with multiple benefits and offers strip-tillers great flexibility and potential extra income, says Ty Fickenscher of Axtell, Neb. The owner of Upward Ag Systems says intercropping and companion cropping can not only improve soil health by boosting biological diversity, they can also boost the bottom line by providing additional cash crops and/or grazing opportunities.

Cover crops have many demonstrated conservation and soil health benefits, yet their use is still limited by perceived financial fears: crop yield reduction or no short-term return.