Brian O'Connor started at Lessiter Media as the Lead Content Editor for Conservation Agriculture in November 2021. He previously worked in daily print journalism for more than a decade in places as far flung as Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he shared a national award for coverage of two Category 5 hurricanes that struck the islands in 2017. He's also taught English in Korea, delivered packages for Amazon, and coordinated Wisconsin election night coverage for the Associated Press. His first job was on a Southeast Wisconsin farm.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting Strip-Till

Joey Hanson lays out some perils and pitfalls for new strip-till adapters.

By Brian O'Connor posted on January 2, 2023 | Posted in Strip-Till Farming 101

Elk-Point, S.D., strip tiller Joey Hanson works strips not just for himself, but also for his strip-till customers on both sides of the Missouri River.

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Strip-Tillers Can Share Thoughts With EPA About Proposed Atrazine Rules

By Brian O'Connor posted on October 5, 2022

The proposed rules would reduce the concentration equivalent level of concern equivalent from 15 parts per billion to 3.4 parts per billion, reduce atrazine usage to a maximum of 2 pounds per acre per year, prohibit aerial spraying, and ban atrazine applications to saturated soils, as well as within 48 hours of forecasted heavy precipitation.

EPA Accepting Comments on Atrazine Rule Changes Until October

By Brian O'Connor posted on August 5, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed with companies and agriculture groups that additional time is needed to comment on proposed rule changes for atrazine.

Seeking Success in Failure with Strip-Tilled ‘Living Mulch’ Trials

Clover polyculture shows promise for strip-tilling cash crops into a perennial cover crop.

By Brian O'Connor posted on July 9, 2022 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Seed (Cash Crops Only)

Charles Martin and Andrew Bowman have their eyes on the future of agriculture while also dealing with the realities of farming in central Illinois.

US Supreme Court Won't Hear Glyphosate Case

By Brian O'Connor posted on June 21, 2022

The American Soybean Association and 54 other ag groups released a statement saying they're disappointed the U.S. Supreme Court won't hear the case and expressed concern about the possibility of a "patchwork" of state labels.

Study: Palmer Amaranth Seeds Spread Through Manure

By Brian O'Connor posted on June 10, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection

A study published in the latest edition of Agricultural & Environmental Letters, the journal of the American Society of Agronomy, the Soil Science Society of America, and the Crop Science Society of America found that palmer amaranth can pass its seeds via contaminated manure.

Wheat-Soybean Relay Pays Off Years of Effort

Harvesting two crops off the same acres boosts Illinois strip-tiller’s bottom line.

By Brian O'Connor posted on February 10, 2022 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

Constant innovation in strip-till can be challenging. Clint Robinson of Sullivan, Ill., knows. His first attempt at blending conservation techniques and soil health principles came in 2012, shortly after he moved back to the family farm.

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EPA Renews 2,4-D, Glyphosate Products, With Some Changes

By Brian O'Connor posted on January 13, 2022

The new registration will last for seven years and comes with changes to the labelling to limit environmental impacts caused by their active ingredients: 2,4-D and glyphosate.

Anuvia Wins Environment Award

By Brian O'Connor posted on January 12, 2022

Winter Garden, Fla., -based Anuvia Plant Nutrients joins dozens of other businesses in receiving the 2021 Sustainability Environmental Achievement & Leadership (SEAL) Awards.

USDA RMA Offers Coverage for Split-N Regimes

By Brian O'Connor posted on January 11, 2022 | Posted in Crop Protection, Nutrient Management

The Post Application Coverage Endorsement (PACE) furnishes insurance against crop loss in situations where growers are prevented from applying the second half of a nitrogen regime due to weather.

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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 conservation-tillage 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.

Brian O'Connor

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