Articles by Ian Gronau

Playing the Percentages with Precision Investments in Strip-Till

Cutting fuel usage by 40%, saving $5,000 in seed costs while only tilling 30% of his fields provide tangible return on investment with technology for Mark Richards.

By Ian Gronau posted on August 6, 2020 | Posted in Precision Agriculture

Dresden, Ontario strip-tiller, Mark Richards, considers himself a “bleeding-edge” farmer in terms of adopting new strategies and precision equipment. His adoption and adaptation of technology has made his 3,000-acre corn, soybean, sugarbeet, wheat and tomato operation significantly more efficient, productive and profitable.

Managing Inputs to Boost Soil Health in a Strip-Till System

Continuous experimentation with nutrient application methods, products and timing has contributed to Kansas strip-tiller Josh Koehn consistently achieving 300-bushel corn.

By Ian Gronau posted on March 9, 2020 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Seeding & Planting, Nutrient Management

Montezuma, Kan., farmer Josh Koehn says attention to detail is really what’s made the difference on his 10,000 acre farm. Feeling the need to manage residue better and build healthier soils, he switched from full tillage to strip-till back in 2008 on most of his 30% irrigated and 70% dryland operation.

3 Strip-Tilling Tips from a ‘Regenerative Agriculturist’

Rod Sommerfield has found an ally in strip-till as he works to return his farm’s soils to the nutrient level and health seen 150 years ago.

By Ian Gronau posted on February 14, 2020 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

As a strong proponent of “regenerative agriculture” — which Rod Sommerfield explains is proper residue management that recycles the carbon and other nutrients in the residue back to the following crops — his hopes for the future of the farm that’s been in his family since 1892 are bold.

4 Ways to Supercharge Strip-Till with Certified Organic Acres

With 550 acres of certified organic farmland and 200 more in transition, Wisconsin farmer Megan Wallendal shares tips on making the most of strip-tilled organic crops.

By Ian Gronau posted on July 11, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

Often, it’s the allure of operation-wide cost reduction that convinces farmers to transition into strip-tilling. But, on Wallendal Farms, strip-tilling since 1985, they’ve found a way to push revenues in addition to enjoying the efficiencies.

5 Tips for Strip-Tilled Sugarbeet Success

Strip-tilling sugarbeets by trial and error since 2014 has taught Michigan farmer Ryan Shaw how the practice can result in input reductions and cost savings.

By Ian Gronau posted on April 4, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

"You can’t strip-till sugarbeets," is something Snover, Mich., farmer Ryan Shaw had grown accustomed to hearing. But, since introducing strip-till on his 1,400-acre corn, soybean and sugarbeet operation in 2014, a glance at his fields provides evidence to the contrary.

Justifying a Switch to Strip-Tilling with Early Progress & Profit

Illinois farmer sees roughly $45 per-acre savings and an up to 20-bushel yield advantage on marginal soils with a transition to strip-tilling.

By Ian Gronau posted on March 25, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Precision Agriculture

For the past 6 years, Seth Wenzel and his father, Brian, have been transitioning to strip-tilled corn on their 4,000-acre farm near Kent, in northwest Illinois. Wenzel maintains a consistent corn and soybean rotation with approximately two-thirds of his acreage planted with corn annually.

5 Soil Healing Tips to Boost Strip-Till Profitability

Indiana farmer Jeff Herrold ‘works with nature’ in his strip-till system to consistently achieve near 300-bushel-per-acre yields on continuous corn.

By Ian Gronau posted on February 8, 2019 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

Like all farmers, Jeff Herrold wants high yields. But, he wants to work with nature to achieve them.

Strip-Cropping Experiments Yielding Economic, Environmental Advantages

Since adopting the modified strip-till system in 2008, Dean Sponheim has seen a 12-15% increase in corn yield and an $80-$100 per acre increase in net income.

By Ian Gronau posted on October 30, 2017 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment

Nora Springs, Iowa, farmer Dean Sponheim calls himself an “accidental conservationist,” because he stumbled into strip-tillage by necessity and economics, rather than for reasons of environmental friendliness.

Weathering Unpredictability and Stabilizing Yield with Strip-Till

By Ian Gronau posted on March 15, 2017 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Nutrient Management, Water Management

USDA plant physiologist Jerry Hatfield explains how results of recent tillage comparisons reveal strip-till may be the best practice to address future environmental conditions.

Upgrading Precision Hardware, Software and ‘Brainware’ Offers Precision Peace of Mind

To tap into the mechanical and analytical potential on his 1,300 acre operation, Cade Bushnell requires savvy, reliable and progressive dealer support.

By Ian Gronau posted on February 4, 2017 | Posted in Precision Agriculture

As Stillman Valley, Ill. farmer, Cade Bushnell, rolls out newer technology on his 1,300 acre farm, he’s had a lot of luck with mechanical alterations. But he’s still striving to tap the potential that precision data can provide and one of his biggest frustrations is adequately analyzing data pulled from equipment to make informed adjustments to his operation.

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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

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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.

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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.