On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Martin-Till, Westville, Ind., strip-tiller Jeff Herrold provides an update on how planting is going so far, and why a potential problem with slugs is causing some early-season anxiety. Herrold also explains why he prefers to plant soybeans before corn.

Leo Johnson and his son, Patrick, are planting corn into strips for the first time in southern Wisconsin. Leo and Patrick discuss how their strip-till maiden voyage has gone so far in this preview of Leo’s 2024 National Strip-Tillage Conference presentation, “What I Learned from My First Year Strip-Tilling.” The conference takes place Aug. 8-9 in Madison, Wis. Download the full program and register at StripTillConference.com.

I’m a first-generation farmer on the Tennessee/Alabama border. I’ve finished 1st in multiple NCGA yield contests in both states and hold the Alabama dryland record of 316 bushels of corn per acre.

Adam Gittins checks in with a preview of his 2024 National Strip-Tillage Conference presentation, “Most Valuable Precision Technologies for Your Strip-Till Operation.” As a farmer and precision specialist, Gittins understands the true value of cutting-edge technologies, especially for strip-tillers.

We came across some beautiful "views from the office" from strip-tillers across the U.S. Here are some highlights as planting season heats up.

Independent on-farm researcher Marion Calmer checks in from Alpha, Ill., with a preview of his 2024 National Strip-Tillage Conference presentation, “Did Strip-Till Solve My Nutrient Stratification Problems?”

Technology editor Noah Newman catches up with Ann Marie Journey for a preview of her 2024 National Strip-Tillage Conference presentation, “How to Make Your Operation More Rootworm-Resilient.”

Go behind the scenes with Chad Baker, co-owner of Baker Precision Planter Works in Orangeville, Ill., as he hits the road for on-farm visits and pre-season maintenance checkups. Baker helps a first-generation no-tiller work out the kinks in his planter, and later runs into a couple issues with a strip-tiller’s new high-speed, 24-row planter.