In the past several decades, sulfur has received an increasing amount of attention as an important micronutrient.

Note that manure characteristics vary significantly among species, so choosing a rate based on the coverage it provides on the soil surface is not a recommended method of determining an appropriate application rate.

Starter fertilizer is typically considered to be the placement of a small rate of fertilizer, usually nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), near the seed at planting time. Some strip-tillers might also consider using this opportunity to apply higher rates of fertilizer that can supply most of the N and P needs for the corn crop.

Higher-than-normal temperatures and moisture might result in more nitrogen availability by facilitating soil organic matter decomposition.

John Hanson switched to strip-till a few years ago to save money on fuel and labor costs and increase the moisture-holding capacity of the soils on his 1,600-acre farm in north central Iowa.