Although there have been some headaches and learning experiences along the way, Josh and Philip Backstrom are happy with the investment they've made in strip-tilling.

After reading recent questions from readers of Strip-Till Strategies about soil-sampling procedures and nitrogen credits -- as well as nitrogen rates in strip-tilled corn following soybeans - Orthman Mfg. Co. lead agronomist Mike Petersen offered some recommendations.

Placing fertilizer both shallow and deep, and planting in the middle of the berm, can maximize your strip-till corn yields.

A 3-year onfarm study in Minnesota shows that strip-tilling corn and soybeans saves $14 per acre vs. disk-ripping and chisel plowing, says Jodi DeJong-Hughes, a University of Minnesota Extension crops educator.

After strip-tilling corn on soybeans for the first time 6 years ago, Newton, Iowa, farmer Will Cannon tried strip-tilling corn-on-corn in his second season and has continued ever since.

When Strip-Till Strategies debuted 3 years ago, the first story focused on how strip-tillers should soil-sample fields.

With the New Year just a few days away, it's natural to reflect on the past year and what lies ahead. What did you learn from strip-tilling this past year, and what do you want to accomplish in 2013?

To be more efficient with fertilizer, strip-tillers must be use caution in cutting rates and put nutrients where they do more good than harm.

Trying strip-till on a small scale, using auto-steer when strip-tilling and taking advantage of cost-sharing programs are some of the ways prospective and current strip-tillers can improve their bottom line, says Dave Nelson, a Ft. Dodge, Iowa, strip-tiller.

After hearing detailed questions from farmers about fall strip-till during the recent Big Iron Farm Show, Thurston Mfg. Co. chief marketing officer Nick Jensen and Bob Saunders, a territory sales manager for Asgrow and De Kalb, decided to hold several meetings and strip-till demonstrations in the area last October.