Strip-Till Farming 101 New to strip-till? Gather more about the basic principles of strip-till systems and how to overcome the initial challenges to successfully convert to the practice. You'll find stories of successful strip-tillers and their operations. Read how they overcame their challenges. Feeling overwhelmed? Start with these information-packed articles hand-picked by our editors: Banding vs. Broadcast: Nutrient Placement Benefits, Techniques & Management Veteran strip-tillers share proven payback and lessons learned with targeted, timed nutrient applications. 15 Time, Money & Stress-Saving Strip-Till Planting Tips Creating the ideal seedbed requires diligent residue management, the right precision tools and a willingness to get your hands dirty. 21 Strip-Till Fertility Tips for Feeding Plants the Right Diet Split nitrogen applications, determining the proper placement depth and doing below-ground root assessments are all part of a well-rounded fertility program. https://www.striptillfarmer.com/rss en-us Tips & Tricks to Get the Most Out of Your Strip-Till Equipment In this equipment-focused session, Mooberry covers the ins and outs of strip fresheners and details why farmers don’t need a “high-dollar setup” to get started with strip-till. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6708 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6708-tips-and-tricks-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-strip-till-equipment Todd Mooberry.png My Strip-Till Journey: Lessons Learned from the Field & the Mind After more than 30 years in strip-till, Dean Sponheim has seen the wins, setbacks and hard lessons learned that only time can teach. After more than 30 years in strip-till, Dean Sponheim has seen the wins, setbacks and hard lessons learned that only time can teach.

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6707 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6707-my-strip-till-journey-lessons-learned-from-the-field-and-the-mind Dean Sponheim-2.png Compeer Financial Collaborates with PepsiCo to Provide Strip-Till Equipment Financing Compeer Financial is teaming up with PepsiCo and other industry partners to offer a pilot leasing program for strip-till equipment, helping offset upfront financial costs for farmers implementing soil conservation practices on their farms. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6714 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6714-compeer-financial-collaborates-with-pepsico-to-provide-strip-till-equipment-financing Compeer Strip-Till.png Top 10 Strip-Till Stories in May 2026 In case you missed them, here are the items that have garnered the most interest from other farmers in the past month, May 2026. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6681 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6681-top-10-strip-till-stories-in-may-2026 stf-top-10.png CTIC Seeking Participants for New Mentoring Program Through Success from the Ground Up, Cargill provides financial support to soil health organizations focused on providing access to training and technical information that can help remove barriers for row crop farmers who want to rebuild the health of their soils, plant cover crops, and make better use of their water. Through Success from the Ground Up, Cargill provides financial support to soil health organizations focused on providing access to training and technical information that can help remove barriers for row crop farmers who want to rebuild the health of their soils, plant cover crops, and make better use of their water. 

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6670 Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6670-ctic-seeking-participants-for-new-mentoring-program Cargill_CTIC.png Top 10 Strip-Till Stories in April 2026 In case you missed them, here are the items that have garnered the most interest from other farmers in the past month, April 2026. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6643 Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6643-top-10-strip-till-stories-in-april-2026 stf-top-10.png Strip-Till 101: Tips & Tricks from the Great Plains This article from Oklahoma State Extension explores how farmers are implementing and benefiting from strip-till in the region. This article from Oklahoma State Extension explores how farmers are implementing and benefiting from strip-till in the region. 

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6631 Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6631-strip-till-101-tips-and-tricks-from-the-great-plains Figure 1.jpg Figure 1. Soil temperature at 2 inches (seeding depth) in the row in strip-till and no-till treatments. ‘Most Innovative Folks You’ll Find’ Gathering at 2026 Strip-Till Conference nnewman@lessitermedia.com “The networking is one of the things I love most about the Strip-Till Conference,” says Zack Smith, who strip-tills in Lake Mills, Iowa. “The farmers attending this conference are some of the most innovative folks you’re going to find." “The networking is one of the things I love most about the Strip-Till Conference,” says Zack Smith, who strip-tills in Lake Mills, Iowa. “The farmers attending this conference are some of the most innovative folks you’re going to find."

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6627 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6627-most-innovative-folks-youll-find-gathering-at-2026-strip-till-conference Strip-Till-Innovator-Chris-Perkins-will-return-to-the-Strip-Till-Conference-stage-in-2026.jpg MONEYMAKING IDEAS. Otwell, Ind., Strip-Till Innovator Chris Perkins will return to the Strip-Till Conference stage in 2026. Perkins and soil test data analyst Chris Kasten will share how they’re rethinking the traditional approach to nutrient management and plant testing.   Choose-Your-Own Tour Brings Strip-Till, Conservation to Life Farmers explored a range of conservation practices, from drainage water recycling and oxbow restoration to strip-till and cover crops during a choose-your-own-adventure field tour designed to bring real-world solutions to life across western Iowa last week. Farmers explored a range of conservation practices, from drainage water recycling and oxbow restoration to strip-till and cover crops during a choose-your-own-adventure field tour designed to bring real-world solutions to life across western Iowa last week.

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6622 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6622-choose-your-own-tour-brings-strip-till-conservation-to-life 2026 4-15 Conservation in Action 4.jpg Focus More on ‘Profit Bushels’ Per Acre I studied agronomy at Iowa State after growing up on a diverse farm, and while I was there, decided to double major in horticulture, which turned out to be the greatest thing I’ve accidentally done. I studied agronomy at Iowa State after growing up on a diverse farm, and while I was there, decided to double major in horticulture, which turned out to be the greatest thing I’ve accidentally done. 

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1/post/6614 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1-covering-strip-till/post/6614-focus-more-on-profit-bushels-per-acre Mark-Dobson.jpg Solving a Farm Puzzle with Strip-Till, One Piece at a Time Technology needed for strip-till helped fuel a data-driven farming strategy that keeps pushing yields & profits for Jake Isley. Technology needed for strip-till helped fuel a data-driven farming strategy that keeps pushing yields & profits for Jake Isley.

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6611 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6611-solving-a-farm-puzzle-with-strip-till-one-piece-at-a-time Solving-a-Farm-Puzzle-with-Strip-Till-1.jpg CRACKING THE CODE. The technology needed to strip-till opened more doors for Jake Isley’s farm management strategies. He’s now able to collect data that helps transform fertility strategies, evaluate corn hybrids, and determine impact and profitability of inputs like fungicides and sulfur. Jake Isley Longtime Strip-Tiller Prioritizes Efficiency Over Yield nnewman@lessitermedia.com “In the strip-till community, many people have lost sight of that,” Brian Herbek says. “If you eat a huge piece of prime rib, aka nitrogen, you won’t have room for potatoes and vegetables and all the other stuff needed to be healthy for the longevity of the race.” “In the strip-till community, many people have lost sight of that,” Brian Herbek says. “If you eat a huge piece of prime rib, aka nitrogen, you won’t have room for potatoes and vegetables and all the other stuff needed to be healthy for the longevity of the race.”

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6606 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6606-longtime-strip-tiller-prioritizes-efficiency-over-yield 010_Brian-Herbek_JZ_0519.jpg NUTRIENT MANAGER. Deweese, Neb., strip-tiller, Brian Herbek, has been focused on getting the most out of his inputs after switching to strip-till in 2009 on his 1,900-acre corn and soybean operation. Benchmark Breakdown: How 3 Strip-Tillers Achieved the Highest Soybean Yields nnewman@lessitermedia.com With soybean acreage (and yields!) on the rise, I figured it would be interesting to examine the methods of 3 strip-tillers who reported the highest average soybean yields in our Benchmark Study. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1/post/6601 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1-covering-strip-till/post/6601-benchmark-breakdown-how-3-strip-tillers-achieved-the-highest-soybean-yields Noah Newman.png 5 Things to Consider Before Transitioning to Strip-Till mpaukner@lessitermedia.com To help other farmers adopt strip-till — or convince their family to give the practice a chance — Zack Smith shares these five tips. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6578 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6578-5-things-to-consider-before-transitioning-to-strip-till Zack-Smith-Strip-Tiller.jpg Top 10 Strip-Till Stories in March 2026 In case you missed them, here are the items that have garnered the most interest from other farmers in the past month, March 2026. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6586 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6586-top-10-strip-till-stories-in-march-2026 stf-top-10.png God Adds 11th Commandment: "Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s Plow" A divine update to the "Standard Operating Procedures for Humanity" was issued early this morning. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6581 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6581-god-adds-11th-commandment-thou-shalt-not-covet-thy-neighbors-plow Creation of Adam and the 11th commandment.jpg This image was generated by AI. 'Most Innovative Folks You’ll Find' … What to Expect at 2026 National Strip-Tillage Conference nnewman@lessitermedia.com Managing editor Noah Newman checks in from Strip-Till Farmer headquarters with a big announcement about the 2026 National Strip-Tillage Conference program. Managing editor Noah Newman checks in from Strip-Till Farmer headquarters with a big announcement about the 2026 National Strip-Tillage Conference program. 

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6562 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6562-most-innovative-folks-youll-find-what-to-expect-at-2026-national-strip-tillage-conference nstc.jpg Survey Says ... Almost 25% of No-Tillers Also Strip-Till nnewman@lessitermedia.com In the past, the idea of transitioning to strip-till with baby steps was almost unheard of, Andy Thompson says, and the unwritten strip-till code was to buy a rather complicated and expensive tool that was meant to replace all other tools previously used to perform everything needed for the crop. That’s no longer the case in 2026. In the past, the idea of transitioning to strip-till with baby steps was almost unheard of, Andy Thompson says, and the unwritten strip-till code was to buy a rather complicated and expensive tool that was meant to replace all other tools previously used to perform everything needed for the crop. That’s no longer the case in 2026.

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1/post/6547 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1-covering-strip-till/post/6547-survey-says-almost-25-of-no-tillers-also-strip-till Noah Newman.png In a World Where All Corn & Soybean Acres Are Strip-Tilled … ‘Solid Win for Conservation’ nnewman@lessitermedia.com I came across an interesting discussion while scrolling X the other day. What would happen if all acres of corn and soybeans in the U.S. went to 1-pass strip-till? I came across an interesting discussion while scrolling X the other day. What would happen if all acres of corn and soybeans in the U.S. went to 1-pass strip-till?

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1/post/6541 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1-covering-strip-till/post/6541-in-a-world-where-all-corn-and-soybean-acres-are-strip-tilled-solid-win-for-conservation Noah Newman.png Top 10 Strip-Till Stories in February 2026 In case you missed them, here are the items that have garnered the most interest from other farmers in the past month, February, 2026. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6534 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6534-top-10-strip-till-stories-in-february-2026 stf-top-10.png Strip-Till Highlights: Feb. 24, 2026 nnewman@lessitermedia.com This Week's Lineup: Brian Hefty on Biggest Positives of Strip-Till Boosting Soybean Plant Stands Without Hiking Seed Rates Agronomy Deep Dive: Gary Zimmer on the “Death of NPK” Strip-Tiller Shares His 2025 Fertilizer Report Card Strip-Tillers Discuss Shanks vs. Coulters Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment. This Week's Lineup:

  • Brian Hefty on Biggest Positives of Strip-Till
  • Boosting Soybean Plant Stands Without Hiking Seed Rates
  • Agronomy Deep Dive: Gary Zimmer on the “Death of NPK”
  • Strip-Tiller Shares His 2025 Fertilizer Report Card
  • Strip-Tillers Discuss Shanks vs. Coulters

Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6519 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6519-strip-till-highlights-feb-24-2026 STF THIS WEEK.png Strip-Till Switch Provides 20-Bushel Wake-Up Call "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. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6485 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6485-strip-till-switch-provides-20-bushel-wake-up-call Scott-Huso-strip-till-rig.jpg HEATING UP. Cool, wet conditions often delay spring planting. Strip-tilling ahead of corn and pinto beans provides multiple benefits for Scott Huso — strategically placed fertility and a strip of warm soil that’s perfect for early-season seeding. Scott Huso  Strip-Till: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Elk Point, S.D., custom strip-tiller shares lessons learned from thousands of acres covered in Iowa, Nebraska & South Dakota Elk Point, S.D., custom strip-tiller shares lessons learned from thousands of acres covered in Iowa, Nebraska & South Dakota

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6484 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6484-strip-till-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly FIRSTstrip-tilling-RIG-Joey-Hanson.jpg FIRST RIG. Joey Hanson started custom strip-tilling with a Blu-Jet in 2013. He says the entire system cost him $180,000. “I thought I was going to be broke for life when I bought that,” he recalls. “Now, you couldn’t buy a strip-till machine for $180,000.” Joey Hanson 10 Ways to Build a Profitable Strip-Till System Without Deep Pockets First-generation farmer says a calculator is one of the most important tools to boost ROI & he has the numbers to prove it First-generation farmer says a calculator is one of the most important tools to boost ROI & he has the numbers to prove it 

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6483 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6483-10-ways-to-build-a-profitable-strip-till-system-without-deep-pockets PLANTER-REBUILD-James-Hepp.jpg PLANTER REBUILD. James Hepp admits there were some scary moments when he second guessed his decision to replace all the Case IH row units on his planter with John Deere units, but it ultimately paid off. “I could buy all those row units cheaper than rebuilding the original Case IH row units,” he says. “I don’t care what color my equipment is as long as it works, that’s my philosophy.” James Hepp  Top 10 Strip-Till Stories in January 2026 In case you missed them, here are the items that have garnered the most interest from other farmers in the past month, January, 2026. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6474 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6474-top-10-strip-till-stories-in-january-2026 stf-top-10.png No-Till Innovator’s System Boosts Nutrient Cycling, Prevents Runoff nnewman@lessitermedia.com On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Martin-Till, Leopold Conservation Award recipient Jim Hershey shares some of his latest conservation tips and tricks from his Elizabethtown, Pa., farm. Martin-Till, Leopold Conservation Award recipient Jim Hershey shares some of his latest conservation tips and tricks from his Elizabethtown, Pa., farm.]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6471 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6471-no-till-innovators-system-boosts-nutrient-cycling-prevents-runoff No-Till-Innovator’s-System-Boosts-Nutrient-Cycling,-Prevents-Runoff.png Strip-Till Farmer's Best of 2025 mbrusnahan@lessitermedia.com The top-performing Strip-Till Farmer content of 2025 reflects the industry updates, expert insights and evolving trends that captured the attention of today’s strip-till farming community. Strip-Till Farmer content of 2025 reflects the industry updates, expert insights and evolving trends that captured the attention of today’s strip-till farming community.]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6466 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6466-strip-till-farmers-best-of-2025 STF-Best-of-2025-banner.png Strip-Till a Hot Topic at the No-Till Conference nnewman@lessitermedia.com About 68% of strip-tillers are no-tilling some of their acres, according to our latest Strip-Till Farmer Benchmark Report. So, I figured there’d be at least some cross-over interest when I decided to add a “strip-till 101” classroom to January’s 2026 National No-Tillage Conference agenda. About 68% of strip-tillers are no-tilling some of their acres, according to our latest Strip-Till Farmer Benchmark Report. So, I figured there’d be at least some cross-over interest when I decided to add a “strip-till 101” classroom to January’s 2026 National No-Tillage Conference agenda.

]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1/post/6451 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/blogs/1-covering-strip-till/post/6451-strip-till-a-hot-topic-at-the-no-till-conference Noah.png Top Highlights & Eye-Openers from 2026 National No-Tillage Conference nnewman@lessitermedia.com On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Martin-Till, we’re headed inside the 34th annual National No-Tillage Conference in St. Louis. Both longtime and first-time attendees share some of their biggest takeaways from the conference. Martin-Till, we’re headed inside the 34th annual National No-Tillage Conference in St. Louis. Both longtime and first-time attendees share some of their biggest takeaways from the conference.]]> http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6448 Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6448-top-highlights-and-eye-openers-from-2026-national-no-tillage-conference Top-Highlights-&-Eye-Openers-from-2026-National-No-Till-Conference.png Top 10 Strip-Till Stories in December 2025 In case you missed them, here are the items that have garnered the most interest from other farmers in the past month, December, 2025. http://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6433 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.striptillfarmer.com/articles/6433-top-10-strip-till-stories-in-december-2025 stf-top-10.png