LAST CHANCE to save 30% off the cover price of this popular report, Managing Nitrogen Like Your Profits Depend On It ¾ Order (link to offer page) it now for only $9.00 (+s&h). Offer ends soon. Nitrogen applications play a key role in shaping your yields and, now more than ever, your bottom line. Tried-and-true nitrogen fertilization guidelines have grown old and false. Maturing fields, advances in research and skyrocketing costs are changing nitrogen recommendations.

One of more interesting things I've learned about strip-till is how the practice can vary from farmer to farmer, depending on their years of experience. While there are principles to adhere to — noted by Illinois strip-tiller Alan Madison in this edition's feature story — there's also no textbook way to strip-till.

Nebraska Strip-Tiller Thrives on Spring Crop Rotation Flexibility Brandon Hunnicutt, strip-tiller in Giltner, Neb., talks about building his strips in the fall without nutrient placement, to provide crop rotation flexibility in the spring. He also discusses the potential of placing dry fertilizer in the fall to stay ahead of nitrogen regulations in the state.

Brandon Hunnicutt, strip-tiller in Giltner, Neb., talks about building his strips in the fall without nutrient placement, to provide crop rotation flexibility in the spring. He also discusses the potential of placing dry fertilizer in the fall to stay ahead of nitrogen regulations in the state.

The Two Blades Foundation (2Blades), a not-for-profit organization focused on the development and deployment of durable disease resistance for agriculture, announced the April 16 issuance of a key patent for gene editing based on the use of TAL effectors.

Building fall strips without fertilizer offers Brandon Hunnicutt cropping flexibility and more precise nutrient placement.

The agronomic side of strip-tilling is an important component and Mike Petersen, agronomist with Orthman Manufacturing, offers some primary tips, in an agronomic sense, that successful strip-tilling provides, including reduced nutrient loading to lakes and water courses, elimination of unnecessary pre-plant passes through the field and increased natural residue breakdown.

B&L Farms in Live Oak Strip tilling cotton on April 25, 2013. Soil was a little slick, with 2" of rain 4 days ago. Weather refuses to get "April-like," with highs barely in the 80s. We have recieved consistent rains all spring, and we are a little worried weather is more Midwest-like this year. Up North they say "be prepared to get your crop planted in a 10 day window, whether you like it or not."

A tool developed by USDA scientists can help agribusiness model phosphorus loss in runoff and determine ways to reduce these losses.

A historical analysis of corn research shows that new hybrids are taking up more nitrogen than older plant varieties after the crucial flowering stage, a clue as to how plant scientists will need to adapt plants to increase yields.