Nutrient Management

16 Things to Check for on a Soil Test

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Let’s move on now to our Video of the Week and a highlight from Brian Hefty’s Strip-Till Conference presentation. The Ag PhD co-host shared 16 things he pays attention to on his soil tests, starting with soil organic matter.

Farmer Eliminates White Mold Problem with Drywall Compost Mix in Soybeans

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, Allen Dornacker shares the benefits of using drywall in his compost mix in West Bend, Wis.

[Podcast] Fighting Back Against Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN)

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode of the Strip-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, senior editor John Dobberstein goes 1-on-1 with Iowa State Univ. nematologist Greg Tylka.

[Video] Beck’s PFR Director Jim Schwartz Discusses Root Architecture and Hybrid Selection

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Jim Schwartz, director of Practical Farm Research (PFR) for Beck’s Hybrids, discusses key lessons learned from years of root architecture research, fertility studies and how to match hybrids to the way you manage your strip-till operation.

[Video] RhizoSorb Phosphorus Fertilizer Shows 10% Per Acre Cost Savings Across 200 Trials

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400

New fertilizer options took center stage in the Agronomy Zone at the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. The 6-acre research plot gave crop input suppliers a space to showcase the benefits of their products in the field.

5 Big Strip-Till Takeaways from 2026 Farm Progress Show

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:22:00 -0400

“Man, this Strip-Till Section just keeps getting bigger and bigger every year.” That was my first thought as I started flipping through the Farm Progress Show Official Program book while chugging coffee, shortly after arriving at the nation’s largest outdoor farm show.

Big Trends, Ideas Shaping the Future of No-Till, Cover Crops at Farm Progress Show

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, the No-Till Farmer editorial team shares their top conservation ag takeaways and observations at the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.

Examining the Benefits of Anhydrous Applications for Corn

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The N content of anhydrous ammonia is 82%, making it the most concentrated N fertilizer available, and therefore the most efficient with respect to its weight and the space it takes up, says Brad Carlson, nutrient management specialist, Univ. of Minnesota Extension.

Observations from a Field Day at Dornacker Prairie Acres

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

"Last week, I accompanied Strip-Till Farmer managing editor Noah Newman to a field day hosted by Cedar Creek Farmers at Dornacker Prairie Acres in West Bend, Wis, and I saw some high-tech stuff there."

TerraBlaster Raises $12.5 Million to Increase Farm Yields Through Optimized Soil Nutrients

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

TerraBlaster's Blaster 1000 is a towed unit that opens a shallow trench and measures soil fertility as it moves, roughly twenty times per second, producing nutrient concentration maps at a resolution of 0.15 acres.

5 Big Things to Check for When Shopping for Biologicals

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, Planet Earth Agronomy co-founder Mitchell Fiene reveals a checklist for farmers to consider when shopping for biologicals.

Coulters vs. Shanks vs. Knives: Choosing the Right Strip-Till Equipment For Your Operation

kdowning@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Strip-Till Hall of Famer Bill Preller breaks down the advantages and limitations of coulters, knives and shanks, and the strip-till scenarios where they each make the most sense.

3 Big Lessons Learned from the Journey of a Legendary Innovator

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Before launching two revolutionary ag tech companies, Gregg Sauder was a struggling farmer who became an inventor out of necessity. He was never satisfied with the way equipment ran and always thought there was room for improvement.

Mosaic Biosciences Launches New Product to Accelerate Crop Residue Breakdown

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400

As higher-yielding hybrids, no-till practices and continuous corn continue to increase residue levels, farmers are facing growing challenges that can narrow planting windows, reduce operational efficiency and hinder profit potential.

[Video] How Strip-Tillers are Boosting Soil Fertility with Dry & Liquid Humates

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:44:20 -0400

Fred Nichols, executive vice president for Huma, breaks down 3 humic-based solutions that are providing strip-tillers and no-tillers with a boost to their soils, cash crops and cover crops.

Applications Open for PFI Program That Helps Cover Crops Pencil Out

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In 2025, more than 2,400 farmers received $10 million in PFI cost-share to plant cover crops on more than 900,000 acres.

Hundreds Swap Ideas, Strategies & Moneymaking Insights at 2026 National Strip-Tillage Conference

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Over 400 farmers, agronomists, researchers, educators, dealers and manufacturers packed the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in downtown Springfield, Ill., for the 13^th annual National Strip-Tillage Conference.

LIVE From the Strip-Till Conference Workshop

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, managing editors Noah Newman and Mackane Vogel report from the National Strip-Tillage Conference pre-conference workshop at the Bayer Crop Science Research Farm in New Berlin, Ill.

‘No Insecticides, No Fungicides’ for Leopold Conservation Award Recipients

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, Greg and Janis Thoren share how they’re eliminating insecticides and fungicides on their Leopold Conservation Award-winning operation in Stockton, Ill.

AgroLiquid Expands Manufacturing and Distribution Network

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Lake City, Fla. facility is designed to support more efficient delivery, improve product availability and help the company meet demand during key points in the growing season.

Radicle Agronomics Announces New GeoKnife Soil Sampling Tool

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

GeoKnife takes a cross section of the soil at a controlled depth, reducing the noise that can be created by nutrient stratification and hot zones created by banded fertilizer.

Why Strip-Till Wins Agronomically, Environmentally & Economically

kdowning@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Bill Preller says strip-till is the future of farming because he believes it’s the only soil management practice that optimizes agronomics, environmental concerns and economics in most soil types.

Strip-Tilling Continuous Corn

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Looking to save his soil and get more bang for the buck with inputs Bruce Yingling gave strip-till a shot 5 years ago.

Switching Up Strip-Till Fertility in Fall & Spring

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Mark Schleisman switches fertilizing strategies based on the season.

How Many Pounds of Nitrogen Do Corn Plants Use to Make 1 Bushel?

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0400

How many pounds of nitrogen do corn plants use to make one bushel of corn? If you use the 10-bushel per 1,000 plants ratio, then it takes roughly 100 plants to make a bushel. How much nitrogen do those 100 plants need?

National Strip-Tillage Conference 2026 Countdown: July

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Check out the latest National Strip-Tillage Conference updates, with just 2 weeks to go until the 13th annual event!

No-Till Innovator Keeps Planting Green After 60-Bushel Boost

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, we get the scoop on the benefits of planting green with Jackson, Wis., no-tiller Ross Bishop.

Studying Your Strip-Tilled Soils

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Brian Herbek is a big believer in the 4R philosophy: right source, right rate, right time and right place.

Verdesian's CROP+ Gets Biostimulant Certification from The Fertilizer Institute

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Verdesian now holds three Biostimulant Certifications from TFI, reinforcing the company’s position as a technology-driven leaderin the biostimulant space.

No-Tillers, Strip-Tillers Interested in Biologicals, but Adoption Challenges Remain

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In the 2nd annual Ag Biologicals Benchmark Report, 66% of growers said they used an ag biological product in the previous growing season. That’s a decline of 3.7 percentage points compared to 2025, although it’s likely a higher adoption rate than the industry average.