Visiting with strip-tillers in different parts of the country, and especially in the Midwest, I always ask about adoption of the practice in their area.

As we set aside our differences and promote goodwill during the holiday season, I can't help but think about the Grinch that is precision farming compatibility.

Strip-tillers also have their own wish lists for the coming year and beyond. After harvest, several farmers spoke of plans for planter modifications next year to improve residue management, or fertilizer placement in the strip.

Winter is staking its early claim in many parts of the country, and for fall strip-tillers, it’s been a race to get strips built before snow permanently blankets their fields.

This time of year, I look forward visiting a few farms to get a recap of harvest and also catch a glimpse of some fresh fall strips. Although there were still plenty of combines harvesting corn ahead of an expected early mid-November cold snap in western Wisconsin and central Minnesota, I had a chance to traverse the newly strip-tilled fields of Tom Muller.

As fall harvest winds down in some areas, many strip-tillers will soon be back in the field building berms and fertilizing for next spring's crop.

I recently had the opportunity to attend Michelin's international media event in Europe, which included a day of field demonstrations and tire tests.

In talking with farmers, a common goal they have in developing a successful strip-till system is to apply fertilizer more accurately. Many growers note benefits of this goal, including faster emergence and healthier plant stands with a targeted application beneath the strip.

When visiting with strip-tillers on their farm, it's always interesting to see some of the custom modifications they've made to machinery. Sometimes, these are major overhauls to row unit setups on planter or strip-till toolbars.

As federal and state government begins to take action to monitor and prevent fertilizer runoff into watersheds — especially in the Great Lakes region — some farmers see strip-till as preventative measure.