Paul and Mike Schweitzer, who farm near Malta, Illinois, chisel hog manure from a neighboring farm in the fall into some of their fields. It's high in potassium, but much less valuable as a source of phosphorous.

In the video, strip-till Charlie Hammer of Beaver Dam, Wis., discusses modifications he is making to his Wil-Rich strip till unit, adding Orthman row units to freshen up his strips this spring. A particularly cold winter and spring brings challenges, but Hammer feels they can overcome the cold spring by getting out, building the zone residue-free without a depression to absorb as much heat as possible.

Conditions in the U.S., the biggest wheat exporter, are improving after snowstorms increased soil moisture following the worst drought since the 1930s Dust Bowl, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

7 years of strip-till is rewarding Ames, Iowa, farmer Dennis Smith with double-digit yield increases in corn, higher soil-organic matter levels, cooler summer soils and more timely spring planting.

In order to develop variable-rate prescriptions for crop inputs like seed and fertilizer, it is first necessary to delineate fields into regions of distinct yield potential (Butzen, et al., 2012), also known as management zones (MZ).

After strip-tilling corn on soybeans for the first time 6 years ago, Newton, Iowa, farmer Will Cannon tried strip-tilling corn-on-corn in his second season and has continued ever since.

When Strip-Till Strategies debuted 3 years ago, the first story focused on how strip-tillers should soil-sample fields.

Whether they're veterans or rookies, six strip-tillers across the U.S. are paying close attention to their fertilizer programs to maximize profitable production of corn, soybeans and other crops. By varying fertilizer rates, timing, placement and equipment, strip-tillers have improved early root development, fertilizer efficiency and profitability.

The combination of drought conditions, heavy irrigation, and widely varying yields means that soil testing is more important than ever this year.

John and Jordan Schwarck's priorities are preserving the soil and protecting wildlife habitat. T