As I begin crunching the numbers and analyzing the a record number of responses to our 2017 Strip-Till Operational Practices Benchmark study, some interesting trends are taking shape.

Increasing yields isn’t always the top priority for strip-tillers. But whether it’s the primary objective or a secondary benefit of a well-rounded system, there is rarely a singular update or adjustment that a farmer can make that will consistently add bushels.

Seeding cover crops isn’t an exact science, which is one reason why farmers are often willing to experiment with different methods. A new addition to our 4th annual Strip-Till Operational Benchmark Study asks farmers what they use to seed cover crops.

Any farmer will tell you that strip-till is as much a science as it is an art. Adopting the practice requires a mix of patience, persistence and passion.

There are those people who get to a certain point in a project and consider the job done. A certain satisfaction, and even relief, comes with completion of a task or a goal achieved.

Organic farming may be gaining traction with the general public as a consumer-friendly option in agriculture, but it’s also drawing interest from commercial producers, as a compliment to conservation tillage practices.

Residue management was a hot topic during the 25th annual National No-Tillage Conference last week in St. Louis, with several attendees sharing their experiences and tips for residue breakdown and nutrient retention.

Creativity is a cornerstone of imagination, and this innovative nature applies to strip-tillers who experiment with cover crops. Still a relatively new practice, the incorporation of different cover crop varieties into strip-till is an emerging trend and one that often prompts as many questions as answers from farmers.

The motor begins to hum and the propellers begin their increasingly rapid revolutions. A gentle upward tilt of the joystick by the owner and the rotocopter is airborne — slowly elevating as it drifts over a cornfield to capture hundreds of images that will be processed and analyzed.