John Dobberstein is the Senior Editor of No-Till Farmer, Strip-Till Farmer, and Cover Crop Strategies. He previously covered agriculture for the Tulsa World and worked for daily newspapers in Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Joseph, Mich. This is John's second stint with Lessiter Media, the previous lasting almost 13 years.

Contact: jdobberstein@lessitermedia.com

Agricultural Trade

Improved U.S. Beef, Ethanol Exports Possible with U.K. Trade Deal

By John Dobberstein posted on May 8, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

USDA Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins says the agreement will, “lower tariffs, remove trade barriers, increase market access and strengthen cooperation on economic security.”

The Legacy of ‘Big Hugh’ & New Challenges for Saving the Soil

An evolution in thinking, precision technology and science has given us new ways to farm more sustainably and efficiently without punishing the soil. The enemy, of course, is apathy.

By John Dobberstein posted on May 1, 2025 | Posted in Precision Agriculture, Soil Health

An evolution in thinking, precision technology and science has given us new ways to farm more sustainably and efficiently without punishing the soil. The enemy, of course, is apathy.

Federal Climate Program That Bolstered No-Till, Reduced Tillage Cancelled, Re-named

By John Dobberstein posted on April 15, 2025 | Posted in Soil Health

The PCSC program will be evolved into the “Advancing Markets for Producers” initiative and existing grants will be reviewed on three “Farmer First” policy priorities, the USDA said Monday.

Reports: USDA Closing Washington D.C. Office, Laying Off Thousands

By John Dobberstein posted on April 10, 2025 | Posted in Soil Health

The news isn’t exactly a surprise to those who follow the agency, as USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has previously said the massive agency would undergo some restructuring to reduce management layers and refocus efforts on serving farmers, ranchers, foresters and consumers.

Shining a Light on Better Corn, Soybean Management

Beck’s Practical Farm Research puts equipment, planting practices & crop protection products to the test at multiple sites

By John Dobberstein posted on April 7, 2025 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101, Cover Crops, Equipment, Nutrient Management, Seeding & Planting

Each year, Atlanta, Ind.-based Beck’s Hybrids puts out one of the most comprehensive books on ag research centered around the company’s Practical Farm Research (PFR) program.

USDA Funding

Farm Groups, Lawmakers Press USDA on Frozen Payments

By John Dobberstein posted on March 28, 2025 | Posted in Cover Crops, Equipment, Seeding & Planting

The bill – supported by more than 300 farming stakeholders across the U.S. — would also prohibit the USDA from cancelling agreements or contracts with farmers, or organizations providing assistance to farmers, “unless there has been a failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement or contract.

Biologicals Front & Center at Commodity Classic

By John Dobberstein posted on March 25, 2025 | Posted in Crop Protection, Equipment, Nutrient Management

Only a handful of such products were on the show floor several years ago, but at the 2025 show in Denver there were dozens of firms — including offerings from major crop protection players.

Staff Blog

Our Indebtedness to Farmers on National Ag Day

By John Dobberstein posted on March 18, 2025 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health, Water Management

We earnestly wish all our readers a very happy National Ag Day – not just the farmers, but the agronomists, university researchers, corporations, equipment dealers and many others who work to make the industry successful.

USDA Secretary Praises Farmers’ Innovation, Says Economic Aid Moving Soon

By John Dobberstein posted on March 3, 2025 | Posted in Soil Health

Rollins, speaking before a jam-packed audience on the main stage at Commodity Classic, also announced the USDA will soon be releasing funding for the popular EQIP, CSP and ACEP programs that had been previously frozen during the review process.

New Technology Lets Farms ‘Steam'-roll Weeds & Pests

By John Dobberstein posted on February 22, 2025 | Posted in Equipment

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and University of California-Davis recently unveiled an eco-friendly solution for “soil disinfection” with the propane-powered soil steamer.

Videos

Gary Zimmer’s National Strip-Tillage Conference Eye Openers

Gary Zimmer, internationally known as the “Father of Biological Agriculture, is on the program this year for the first time as a presenter. Last year, he was an attendee. Gary shares his biggest eye-openers from the conference, including how it captures the fun side of farming.

Top Directory Listings

Environmental Tillage Systems, 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.

Yetter Farm Equipment

For over 90 years, Yetter Farm Equipment has designed and manufactured innovative and effective solutions for the agriculture industry. Today, we are proud to be recognized worldwide as an industry leader in designing row cleaners, strip till tools, planter attachments, precision fertilizer placement attachments, rotary hoes, toolbars, and harvest attachments.

John Dobberstein

ARTICLES

Improved U.S. Beef, Ethanol Exports Possible with U.K. Trade Deal

The Legacy of ‘Big Hugh’ & New Challenges for Saving the Soil

Federal Climate Program That Bolstered No-Till, Reduced Tillage Cancelled, Re-named

Reports: USDA Closing Washington D.C. Office, Laying Off Thousands

Shining a Light on Better Corn, Soybean Management

Farm Groups, Lawmakers Press USDA on Frozen Payments

Biologicals Front & Center at Commodity Classic

Our Indebtedness to Farmers on National Ag Day

USDA Secretary Praises Farmers’ Innovation, Says Economic Aid Moving Soon

New Technology Lets Farms ‘Steam'-roll Weeds & Pests

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