Ian Gronau

Ian Gronau is a Contributing Editor for Lessiter Publications, with primary support responsibilities for Precision Farming Dealer, Strip-Till Strategies and the Strip-Till Farmer Website. He is a graduate of Chicago’s Columbia College and has been preparing content for magazines, websites and newspapers since 2009, and has been recognized with several awards.

Articles

ARTICLES

Analyzing the Nuances of RTK Technologies

Precision ag veteran gives a strip-till centric sketch of the various types of RTK protocols

By Ian Gronau posted on February 19, 2024 | Posted in Equipment, Precision Agriculture

For a typical farmer, accuracy is important. But, for strip-tillers, it’s make or break. A strip-tiller has to know precisely where their strips are every single time they roll across the field.

5 Efficiency Enhancing Tips for Strip-Till Nutrient Management

Nebraska strip-tiller, Brian Herbek, shares how he’s been able to extract 30% more bushels-per-acre out of each pound of applied nitrogen.

By Ian Gronau posted on December 27, 2023 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

When it comes to nutrient management, Deweese, Neb., farmer Brian Herbek lives by the 4R philosophy. As a fifth-generation farmer on a dryland and irrigated 1,900-acre corn and soybean operation, he’s focused on slowly evolving his practices over the years to become more efficient.

6 Strip-Till Adjustments for Ideal Berm-Building

Close scrutiny of soil structure and constant equipment evaluations has led Mead, Neb., farmer Kerry Knuth to be more effective, economical and efficient with strip-till.

By Ian Gronau posted on October 3, 2023 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Seeding & Planting, Equipment

Mead, Neb., farmer Kerry Knuth, made the transition from dragging a disc ripper and mulch finisher across his 2,200-acre corn and soybeans operation to strip-tillage back in 2005.

5 Strategies for Managing Heavy Residue on Continuous Corn

Strip-tillers weigh in on the best procedures for ensuring that corn-on-corn residue is a biological gift, not a curse.

By Ian Gronau posted on March 9, 2023 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Precision Agriculture

From implementing shredding corn heads to running an extra vertical tillage pass, strip-tillers employ a number of different techniques to deal with heavy residue on continuous corn.

4 Yield-Boosting Tips from a 300 Bushel-Per-Acre Strip-Tiller

By Ian Gronau posted on January 25, 2023 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Nutrient management, reverse osmosis and pesticide reduction contribute to Iowa strip-tiller Keith Schlapkohl’s quest for consistently increasing corn-on-corn yields.

Crunching the Numbers on Custom Strip-Till

Kentland, Ind., farmer Jesse Stoller breaks down the costs of equipment ownership vs. the benefits of custom strip-tilling.

By Ian Gronau posted on November 28, 2022 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture

For farmers curious about the benefits of reducing their tillage practices, custom strip-till can be an efficient and affordable entry point. For farmers already building strips every year, it can be a lucrative business opportunity.

Defining the Benefits of Soil Health with Dollar-Saving Data

By Ian Gronau posted on April 27, 2021 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health, Water Management

In principal, the benefits of reducing tillage and introducing cover crops seems intuitive. But, for farmers like Osage, Iowa, strip-tiller Wayne Fredericks, it’s important to textualize these benefits with research, data and his checkbook.

Dig Deep to Uncover Root of Plant Fertility Needs

By Ian Gronau posted on March 17, 2021 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Nutrient Management

Holding plants accountable for their yield promise requires an understanding of how fertilizer timing, placement and performance intersect with root structure and development, according to veteran agronomist Mike Petersen.

4 Strip-Till Supporting Principles of Soil Health

Ohio soil scientist, Frank Gibbs, shares his essential strategies for boosting soil health in a strip-till system — from increasing earthworm populations to keeping soil “alive” all year long.

By Ian Gronau posted on November 6, 2020 | Posted in Cover Crops, Soil Health

Intentionally or not, farmers who’ve taken up strip-tilling have already made a commitment to rebuilding soil health. According to Rawson, Ohio, soil health expert Frank Gibbs, by being a bit more deliberate, strip-tillers can magnify the impact of their conservation efforts in ways that will show up on their bottom line.

Bio-Rehabbing Soil with Strip-Till & Cover Cropping

Reduced tillage and year-round cover cropping make Mike Verdonck’s farm operation near Montreal, more profitable and resistant to a punishing northern climate.

By Ian Gronau posted on August 18, 2020 | Posted in Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

For Canadian strip-tiller Mike Verdonck, weed pressure, erosion and a reliance on heavy herbicide and fertilizer applications are all symptoms of “sick” soil.

View All Articles by Ian Gronau

Current Issue

Strip-Till Farmer

Strip-Till Farmer delivers a mix of features on strip-till farmers, strip-till management topics and trending practices in strip-till. This FREE quarterly print newsletter is available to qualified subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.

Qualify for Your Free Subscription

It’s Never Too Late to Start Strip-Tilling

Smashing the 200-Bushel Barrier with Strip-Tilled Soybeans

Best of Both Worlds: Fall vs. Spring Strip-Till

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

Did Strip-Till Solve My Nutrient Stratification Problems?

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?” Over the last 5 years, Calmer has been examining fertility levels vertically in his soil profile. This inch-by-inch examination uncovered a serious nutrient stratification problem on his farm that was costing him up to $135,000 annually. The No-Till Legend switched back to strip-till in 2023 for the first time since 1995 in an effort to solve his nutrient stratification problems.

Top Directory Listings

Montag Mfg

Montag products have proven results with patented precision metering application for significant savings of nutrients and cover crop seed, and for achieving best conservation practices.

Environmental Tillage System, Inc

Environmental Tillage Systems is a leading manufacturer of strip-till and nutrient-management equipment which enhances soil productivity and farm profitability.

Kuhn Krause, Inc

Kuhn Krause's focus, above all, is to continue to produce quality products to serve producers better; to strive to respond to their needs with new tools and new technology to meet their growing challenges. Agronomic practices are constantly changing, and at a faster pace now than ever.