For more than a decade, Dresden, Ontario, farmer Mark Richards has adopted and adapted precision farming strategies, including implement guidance, interseeding technology and data analysis on his 3,000-acre corn, soybeans, sugarbeet and wheat operation. The combination of fewer and more efficient passes through the field, precision technology and reduced tillage has contributed to a 15% reduction in fuel costs and healthier crops.

Ongoing studies by the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, including its annual national cover crop survey, are breaking down the benefits and best practices for cover crop usage in conservation tillage systems. Dr. Rob Myers is Regional Director of Extension Programs North Central SARE program, and oversees several projects related to cover crops and soil health both regionally and nationally.

Most strip-tillers understand the importance of soil testing, as they typically serve as the baseline for fertilizer purchases and application. But if someone were to hand you a soil test report, would you be able to read the information and understand what it means? Knowing what to look for, how to interpret the data and then apply it to make informed nutrient management decisions is essential at a time when soil and fertilizer runoff are growing public concerns.

Patience is a virtue and especially true for taking advantage of the optimal window to building an ideal strip-tilled seedbed. There are numerous ways to set up a strip-till rig and survive with an adequate berm, but truly succeeding requires ambition and adaptation to accommodate ever-changing soil conditions.

Strip-Till Farmer editor Darrell Bruggink caught up with Dan Peterson from AgroLiquid at the 2017 National Strip-Tillage Conference in Omaha, Neb., to talk about how their research and discussions with farmers inspired their new product lineup, PRIMAGRO.

Strip-Till Farmer editor Darrell Bruggink caught up with Roger Murdock, VP Global Brand Management of Ingersoll Tillage Group at the 2017 National Strip-Tillage Conference in Omaha, Neb., to discuss the formation and future of AgriSolutions.

Strip-Till Farmer editor Darrell Bruggink caught up with Lincoln Slagel, Product Development from Vulcan Equipment at the 2017 National Strip-Tillage Conference in Omaha, Neb., to discuss spring strip-till and how the Zone Master was developed to meet those needs.

Strip-Till Farmer editor Darrell Bruggink caught up with Andy Thompson, AOR Manager for Yetter Mfg. Co. at the 2017 National Strip-Tillage Conference in Omaha, Neb., to talk about what strip-till means to them as a company and how listening to the farmers let to the development of their Strip Freshener unit.

Strip-tillers favor 12-row rigs and shank-style setups on row units, while preference for fall or spring strip-building increases.