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.

Having just returned from our inaugural National Strip-Tillage Conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I had a calm 4-hour drive back home to gather my thoughts after a whirlwind 2-day event.

Driving past local cornfields on my way to work nearly every day, I’ve see a wide range of plant colors and sizes this year, from head-high, dark-green stands to tiny, pale plants, drowning in excessive moisture.

When visiting with strip-tillers, I'll usually take stock of what precision technology and practices they're using in their operation. And I'm always intrigued when strip-tillers tell me implement-guidance systems are among the precision tools they've tested or adopted.

In our last edition of Strip-Till Strategies, I shared some perspectives on best practices and precautions for building phosphorus levels in strip-till. We also asked our readers to share their experiences and advice on how they manage phosphorus in strip-tilled fields. Based on the feedback we received, it seemed worth revisiting the topic here.

Strip-tillers tend to be particularly conscious of when, where and how much fertilizer they apply to promote long-term yield consistency. Some prefer to broadcast potash, while others see the benefits of deep-placement of phosphorus and potassium beneath the strip.

The comfort zone for most strip-tillers tends to be 30-inch rows. It offers ample space for corn to emerge and equipment setup and maintenance is easier.