One of the primary benefits farmers often point to with strip-till is yield consistency. In talking with both experienced and new strip-tillers, many often cite year-over-year corn yield averages that may vary by only a bushel or two, compared to more dramatic variability with other tillage methods.

Kicking the tires on a new tractor or scheduling seasonal maintenance for a combine or planter are common necessities that keep farmers coming through the doors of their local farm equipment dealership.

As a niche farming practice, strip-till requires an intimate understanding of how different parts of the system correlate to an overall objective, whether it’s increasing yields, improving soil health, targeting fertilizer application — or all three.

Attending the National No-Tillage Conference always presents an opportunity to network and learn from some of the most innovative farmers and conservation-minded academics.