"I was nervous about strip-tilling at first, but corn planting went seamlessly. Harvest really clinched the deal. I saw a 20-bushel yield advantage that I credit almost entirely to the placement of the fertilizer," says Scott Huso.

Results of a recent Conservation Tillage Guide survey of vertical tillage users show many growers vouch for the practice and believe it’s a useful tool on their farm. Many indicated residue management was a top goal for using the implements, followed by cover crop seeding and fertilizer or manure incorporation.

Several years ago the Rotenbergers committed to using a strip-till system for planting 30-inch corn and applying the bulk of their fertilizers in the strip, rather than knifing in nitrogen (N) and broadcasting and incorporating phosphorus (P) and potash in spring like most farmers in their area do.

Sparland, Ill., strip-tiller Jay Riddell and Kenton, Ohio, strip-tiller Brian Watkins weighed the benefits of fall and spring strip-till during a panel discussion with Strip-Till Farmer.

Strip-tillers tend to be naturally inquisitive. So having the opportunity to assemble a diverse group for a candid dinner conversation provided plenty of productive back-and-forth on a range of topics.