Soil Health

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.

What Does No-Till Have to Do With a Trillion-Dollar Conglomerate’s Chairman Retiring?

lessitef@lesspub.com — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:00:00 -0400

At the 2010 National No-Tillage Conference, Howard Buffet challenged farmers to grow more grains and meat to help feed an ever-growing world population.

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.

The Tale of the Disappearing Lake

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With no anthropogenic causes and only natural in-filling, Lake Pepin should remain a lake for about 3,000 years. At the rate sediment is being contributed to the lake, it’s estimated that in about 340 years Lake Pepin will be a wet prairie with a stream running through it.

[Video] Fall Strip-Till 101: Patience is Key

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Dave Sender from Environmental Tillage Systems (ETS) shares some words of advice for farmers who are planning on making strips this fall.

Strip-Till Hall of Famer Jeff Martin Honored By State of Illinois

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

Illinois state Sen. Sally Turner presented Mount Pulaski, Ill., strip-tiller Jeff Martin with an official Illinois Senate certificate for his recent induction in the Strip-Till Farmer Hall of Fame.

‘Bigger Than Life’: Conservation Ag Leader Ray Gaesser Passes After Farm Accident

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The announcement brought shock and sadness to those in the industry who knew and worked with Gaesser, who was one of agriculture’s most respected and well-liked leaders.

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.

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."

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.

[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.

Strip-Tillers Receive Prestigious Environmental Stewardship Award

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Over the years, the Feikemas implemented basins and tiling to protect waterways and keep their fields from washing out, as well as implementing strip-till and no-till practices.

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.

Using Strip-Till to Boost Soil Health

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

While strip-till boosts Arizona farmer Robert Boyle’s bottom line and overall efficiency, the practice is also transforming his soil health.

Using Precision Data to Bridge the Gap Between Soil Health and Crop Economics

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

How can growers turn verified environmental outcomes into immediate financial assets? This article is brought to you by Arva.

‘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.

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-Tillers Join Forces for ‘Cleaner Water, Stronger Future’ at The Lobe Rangers Field Day

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:00:00 -0400

A trio of strip-tillers in Iowa are making big strides in their quest to improve water quality and prove that conservation practices are profitable and scalable.

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.

Strip-Till Farmer Announces 2026 Strip-Till Hall of Fame Class

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Hall of Famers will be honored at the 2026 National Strip-Tillage Conference, Aug. 6-7 in Springfield, Ill., for their pivotal role in moving the strip-till practice forward and their overall impact on the industry.

Using Strip-Till to Help Conserve Water

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Water conservation initially pushed Jake Isley's big tillage change.

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.

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.

Farmers and Nature to Benefit from Newly Launched Agroforestry Project

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and partners today announced the launch of the Expanding Agroforestry Project (EAP), an effort to help U.S. farmers strengthen their operations, diversify revenue, and improve land health.

Capturing the Benefits of Bio Strip-Till

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Havana, N.D., strip-tiller commits to cover crops, intercropping & bio-till to achieve soil health & carbon-building goals.

Trump’s Executive Order Prioritizes Precision Ag, Regenerative Farming

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Jonathan Lundgren, founder of the Ecdysis Foundation, along with Clarksville, Ind. no-tiller Rick Clark, Bluffton, Ga., rancher Will Harris and Foxholm, N.D. farmer Brendon Bock were on hand last Friday as Trump signed the order, which said funding should be “significantly increased” for regenerative agriculture practices, research and education.

Rebuilding a Conservation Minded Fertility Program

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Constantly evaluating the form, rates and placement of nutrients can make the difference between profitability and not farming at all.