Talking with farmers throughout the years about their initial experience with strip-till, they routinely mention the financial commitment they were able to minimize with a little innovation.

Southeastern Minnesota is always an interesting area to explore the evolution and advancement of strip-till. My recent trip was no different, getting the opportunity to learn about the dollars-and-sense approach local strip-tillers have taken to improve economic returns and not necessarily boost yields.

If you are like me, technology has become an even more important tool in daily life. Business communication, social interaction and idea sharing are accomplished through a variety of platforms, apps and web portals.

If you spend any time online these days, it’s hard to avoid the avalanche of comments, memes or images proclaiming that 2020 is a lost year, even though we’re only a little more than halfway through the calendar.

For better or worse, the 2020 spring planting season will be memorable. As strip-tillers prepare for planting — with some already getting into the field — it’s difficult to dismiss the internal and external influences that are reshaping the ag industry.

Residue is considered both a benefit and challenge for strip-tillers. Having the right row unit setup ahead of and during planting is critical to clearing the seedbed and achieving optimum early plant emergence.

“Educational” is the most print-friendly, paraphrased response I’ve gotten when asking strip-tillers to summarize their 2019 operational goals vs. reality.

It’s easy to write off the last year and move on. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But let’s take a moment to reflect on the victories — however small they may seem in the rearview mirror.