The last year saw strip-tillers looking to improve efficiency in several areas, from intense nitrogen management practices to exploring alternative and experimental planting or fertilizing options.

The University of Illinois examines the variety of agricultural conservation practices available to reduce the amount of nitrogen leaving fields and traveling downstream, what they cost and which ones are most effective for the money.

One creative twist on strip-till — especially in the small grain phase of the rotation — is a concept called bio-strip-till. The goal of this approach is to concentrate specific cover crops in strips across the field in preparation for the cash crop the following year.  

In this Strip-Till Farmer Podcast, bought to you by Topcon Agriculture, Snover, Mich., farmer Ryan Shaw shares the systematic setup and implementation of his twin-row strip-till system, along with the vital role cover crops play in his cropping rotation.

Travis Alhorn, business development for Topcon Agriculture Group, discusses Topcon’s full suite of strip-till precision solutions with the Apollo System including variable-rate application, cover crop application and more.

Nick Jensen, President of Thurston Manufacturing, creators of the Blu-Jet line of fertilizer applicators and conservation tillage equipment discusses the unique appeal of the National Strip-Tillage Conference. He also shares how speaking directly to the farmers allows them to help introduce strip-tillers to their product line, keep track of new trends and to help the farmers improve their bottom line.