Constantly evaluating the form, rates and placement of nutrients can make the difference between profitability and not farming at all. This is a philosophy that strip-tiller Donn Branton and his son, Chad, subscribe to on their 1,500-acre operation in LeRoy, N.Y., since adopting the strip-tillage more than 12 years ago. Deep placement of fertilizer, multiple nitrogen applications and nutrient management trials have contributed to a 40-bushelper-acre boost in some corn fields. “Every decision we make on the farm is an investment,” Branton says. “We’ve stuck with strip-till, cover crops and other practices because they improve our soil, yields, the environment and our bottom line.” Branton will share results of on-farm nutrient management experimentation and detail his strategies for improving your yields and soil health with a conservation-minded fertility program.

While strip-till can dramatically improve soil structure and health, there are additional practices that can supplement a system to further increase productivity. Cover crops have proven to be a valuable asset in retaining nutrients for Lakefield, Minn., farmer Jerry Ackermann. But through aggressive experimentation during the last 3 years, he’s also seeing added benefits that have helped reduce input costs and increase yields. Ackermann will share how his evolving cover cropping program has accelerated water infiltration and reduced reliance on herbicide application.

Striking a productive balance between the benefits and potential challenges of striptilled corn-on-corn is an attainable goal for Chapin, Ill., farmer John Werries. Strip-tilling 3,200 acres of continuous corn since 2010, he’s consistently harvested yields 25 bushels above the county average and, with the addition of cover crops, dramatically improved soil structure. “Striptilled corn-on-corn and cover crops have reduced erosion to almost nothing on our farm,” he says. “It’s a wonderful combination.” Werries will discuss ongoing experimentation and results within his strip-tilled corn-on-corn system, to include expanded use of cover crops and continuing modifications to his successful nutrient management program.

Proper placement of fertilizer in strip-till is a key factor to optimize your yields and minimize environmental impact. But in practice, the right placement is continually evolving, and can be impacted by planting technology, tillage system and weather variability. Recent research by Kansas State University soil fertility specialist Dorivar Ruiz Diaz compared placement of phosphorus in strip-till with other tillage systems to track uptake, carryover and loss. Diaz will share the results of a recently concluded 10-year university study on phosphorus application on corn after soybeans in different tillage systems and analyze key takeaways for strip-tillers from the study.

Farming in an area that drains directly into the Western Lake Erie Basin, Gibsonburg, Ohio, striptiller David Myerholtz intensively manages nutrient application on his 1,500-acre corn, soybean and wheat operation. With an emphasis on the 4Rs of nutrient management, he’s adapted cover crops, split nitrogen applications and variable-rate fertilizing to reduce erosion and runoff. Myerholtz will share his experience and evolution with developing a comprehensive fertility program based on the four cornerstones of nutrient management in strip-till.

Location is everything when it comes to maximizing the benefits of banded fertilizer application in strip-till. How deep is too deep and how far away from the seed is too far? A recent study by Kansas State University researchers examined the impact that distance of fertilizer application from the seed can have on early emergence of corn in strip-till systems. Soil fertility specialist Dorivar Ruiz Diaz will analyze the research results and share some best practices for strip-tillers to consider when banding fertilizer.

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Lance Petersen has only been strip-tilling for 5 years, but has already seen his system weather the best and worst climate and field conditions imaginable. Farming in Rush City, Minn., adaptability is critical to the success of strip-tilling in wet, sandy loam soils. Petersen’s philosophy of having a “backup plan” to supplement his strip-till system includes equipment innovations, an evolving nitrogen management program and cover crop experimentation. Petersen will discuss how he’s overcome climate and soil challenges with strip-till, along with future goals to improve yields and soil structure.

Building a sustainable strip-till system and strengthening soil structure are cornerstones of Tim Smith’s corn and soybean operation in Eagle Grove, Iowa. A commitment to the NRCS’s Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) has helped Smith limit erosion, reduce fertilizer application costs and increase equipment and fuel efficiency. “The biggest return with strip-till is greatly reduced soil loss,” he says. “My soil holds up better in adverse conditions by having more residue on top to preserve structure.” Smith will share how the addition of cover crops, refinements to his nutrient management practices and the introduction of a bioreactor have contributed to a comprehensive strip-tilling strategy.

Farming 1,800 acres in Tekonsha, Mich., strip-tiller Ryan Groholske is accustomed to navigating rocky — though fertile — ground with rewarding results. Having increased strip-tilled corn yields by as much as 50 bushels per acre in some areas through intensive fertilizer experimentation, Groholske has had success applying similar strategies to increase soybean production and profitability. “With strip-till, I have a raised berm, so the plants are higher than the rest of the ground, especially on top of that corn stubble, so we’re able to harvest the plants a little bit lower,” he says. Groholske will relate his strip-tilled soybean success to his overall farm management system that includes banded nutrient applications and extensive fertilizer application analysis.

Farming variable soils in southwestern Minnesota, Jerry Ackermann has a goal of raising 200-bushel corn on 140 pounds of nitrogen. At 190-bushel yields, he and his wife, Nancy, are pretty close to achieving it. Aggressive — but calculated — experimentation with fertilization practices and strip-till trials on their 1,200 acre operation in Lakefield, Minn., have helped decrease input costs and overcome climate challenges to raise corn yields that are commonly 20 bushels per acre above the county average.