Understanding the nutrient content of cover crops can be challenging because it depends on many different factors. Grasping everything that could affect the nutrient value of cover crops can be like trying to drink from a fire hose, says Jim Hoorman, but there are ways to simplify and understand how to determine what nutrients cover crops deliver to cash crops.

Hosted by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), the tour included a visit to Ryan and Christina Larson’s 1,000-acre strip-till and no-till operation in Garretson, S.D., near the southwestern Minnesota border.

Ray Flickner’s use of cutting-edge technologies and management practices to conserve water and boost soil health — and willingness to put everything under a microscope for all to see — makes him more than worthy of the 2025 Strip-Till Innovator Award.

Third-generation farmer solves his erosion problems with strip-till & cover crops.

“When you approach the rootworm as just a problem that has to be solved, you’re not taking into account the animal’s biology,” Ann Marie Journey says. “You’re hitting it just at certain points or with certain methods or controls, and you’re not allowing yourself in effect to have a conversation to gain insight back from the rootworms about what it is that makes them successful in any given place."

Alyssa Essman, assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at Ohio State University, has been researching integrated weed management strategies and how cover crops can be used to supplement conventional herbicide programs.

Daniel H. Smith, nutrient and pest management program manager for the Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, checks in from the Lancaster Agricultural Research station with details from a 6-year study.

Russell Hedrick noticed that late-season fertility uptake was being limited by inadequate moisture availability in his soil. He solved that problem in 2023 by attaching a deep-banding fertilizer bar with Yetter 2996 20-inch coulters to his planter.

Andrew Focht is still trying to figure out the best fertilizer rates for his farm, but his goals are clear. He wants to slash his fertilizer bill by 25% and use only 0.8 pounds of N per bushel, which is about 0.3-0.4 pounds less than he’s used in years past.