No-Till Farmer has announced the agenda and presentation lineup of the 26th annual National No-Tillage Conference, built around the theme of "Building Profitable No-Till Systems."

Never satisfied with the set-up of his strip-till system, Mead, Neb., farmer Kerry Knuth shares his experience and expectations for integrating precision tools into his operation and the level of support required from his dealership.

Growers shouldn't start planting winter wheat much earlier than the best pest management planting date, as it could increase the risk of yield losses from insects and diseases, excessive fall growth or higher-than-desired soil temperatures, says Kansas State University Extension.

SAN CARLOS, Calif. – Farmer’s Business Network, Inc., analyzed more than 7,500 seed labels, 2,550 unique genetic varieties from 110 seed companies, and 10,000 seed price invoices, and released the industry’s first-ever Seed Relabeling analysis.

It’s been said, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” For strip-tillers, getting an accurate read on soil health is key to prescribing the right remedy for nutrient-deficient areas. Dr. Kristen Veum, research soil scientist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Columbia, Mo., has studied assessment of soil quality in agro-ecosystems, development and refinement of soil quality indicators and application of sensor technology for soil quality assessment.

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.