No-Till Farmer Podcast

A “green and growing crop” is often perceived as a visual validation of a healthy no-till system. But subsurface investigation is wise to truly understand the biological stability of your soils for long-term success, says Brad Forkner. In the latest edition of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by NewFields Ag, the seasoned agronomist will explain how to decipher soil biology and soil moisture profiles and utilize the information to determine when to quit on a crop or when to pump it up with biologicals, plant growth regulators, nitrogen and much more.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, Arion, Iowa, no-tiller Kelly Garrett discusses the importance of balancing the soil during planting seasons. Plus, Kyle Hawkins explains how changing his planting date allowed the Bogard, Mo. no-tiller to win the Golden Harvest “Go for the Gold Challenge” with a 103-bushel soybean yield.

In the latest edition of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by NewFields Ag, Associate Editor Mackane Vogel talks with John Cussans, a weed biology and weed management specialist with the ADAS — provider of agricultural and environmental consultancy, policy advice, and research and development — based in the U.K. Cussans addresses multiple confirmed cases of glyphosate resistance in the U.K. and how these cases differ and relate to confirmed cases of glyphosate resistance in the U.S., as well as what role cover crops might play in cases of glyphosate resistance.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, longtime no-tiller Ross Bishop shares some of the keys to achieving even corn emergence with no-till. Plus, Chuck Gruenberger from John Deere dealer Riesterer & Schnell explains why fields without cover crops are like rebellious teenagers!

In the latest edition of the No-Till Farmer Podcast, brought to you by NewFieldsAg, Jill Clapperton, a world-renowned soil biologist and rhizosphere ecologist, helps farmers better understand what lives — and must thrive — below the soil surface to regenerate and maintain healthy soil structure. The No-Till Innovator, No-Till Living Legend and 2-time National No-Tillage Conference Presenter of the Year breaks down the characteristics of healthy soil and goes over the crucial steps to creating and sustaining productive soils for improved no-till operations.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, No-Till Innovator Rick Clark gives a presentation at the Regenerative Agriculture Summit in Chicago, Ill., explaining how cover crops are saving him hundreds of dollars on inputs per acre.

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, executive director of the Modern Ag Alliance (founded by Bayer), details the organization’s work to protect the availability of crop protection tools such as glyphosate. She also highlights state and federal legislation that has been introduced that could limit or end the litany of legal claims, and she predicts what effects a ban on glyphosate would have on farmers and conservation efforts.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Sound Agriculture, planter expert Clay Scott gives no-tillers 5 action items to tackle before taking the field this spring. The Precision Planting field support specialist also explains why he tells farmers to plant no more than 10 acres on the first day of planting season.

At the Colorado Convention Center, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins speaks with No-Till Farmer and all the ag media at the Commodity Classic about cost-cutting and refocusing happening at the USDA to better serve farmers, the U.S. ag trade deficit, the future of conservation programs and more.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Sound Agriculture, we head inside Commodity Classic 2025. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins promises a standing-room-only crowd rapid action and support from her agency to help get the industry on its feet this year.

The number of incentive programs hitting the market to reward sustainable agricultural practices is increasing – but figuring out the how’s and the why’s of all the programs can be a daunting task. Federal incentives to lower greenhouse gas emissions could result in a windfall for no-tillers raising low-carbon corn.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Sound Agriculture, we head inside the first-ever Conversations about Conservation workshop for landowners at No-Till Innovator Mike Starkey’s farm in Brownsburg, Ind.

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast, visionary farmer Michael Horsch explains how he and his family buck cultural norms on conservation practices to farm 55,000 acres in Germany and the Czech Republic.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Sound Agriculture, 4 Leopold Conservation Award recipients — Russell Hedrick, Richard Lyons, Colleen Kershaw and Wendy Mariko Johnson highlight some of the unique conservation practices on their farms.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Sound Agriculture, No-Till Innovators Allen Berry, Barry Fisher, Ray McCormick and Loran Steinlage share 4 tips for the upcoming growing season.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Sound Agriculture, young no-tillers James Hepp of Rockwell City, Iowa and Joel Reddick of Bardwell, Ky., share their opinions on what it will take for the next generation of farmers to carry the conservation torch.

In this podcast, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, world renowned no-till expert and former Dakota Lakes Research Farm manager Dwayne Beck shares essential lessons learned from the early days of no-till. Description: In the second episode of this 2-part No-Till Farmer podcast, world renowned no-till expert and former Dakota Lakes Research Farm manager Dwayne Beck shares another round of essential lessons learned from the early days of no-till that can help growers turn their modern-day operation into one that is sustainable and profitable. Beck discusses the benefits of livestock integration, proper crop rotation and residue retention in regenerative no-till systems. He also covers the potential for perennial crops to further improve soil health.

In part 1 of this 2-part No-Till Farmer podcast, world renowned no-till expert and former Dakota Lakes Research Farm manager Dwayne Beck shares essential lessons learned from the early days of no-till that can help growers turn their modern-day operation into one that is sustainable and profitable. Beck focuses in this episode on the need to farm with nature instead of against it, including the need to keep residue in fields and promote ecological diversity on farms to improve resilience.

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, we're joined by AgroLiquid CEO Nick Bancroft and Monty'd Plant Food Co. CEO Jeff Sangalli who share more insights about the integration of their two companies, new opportunities for joint technology advancement between the companies and how the companies will continue to be “farmer first” in their market approach going forward.

In the final segment of this three-part podcast series, Dennis Michelsen and Michael Musselman, hosts of the podcast Innovations in Your Fields -- powered by NewFields Ag -- interview No-Till Farmer editor Frank Lessiter and Lessiter Media President Mike Lessiter about working together as a father-son team and the importance of drafting and refining succession plans, whether it’s a farming business or any business. They also discuss the inspiration behind Frank’s newly released book – “Frankly Speaking: A Non-Whitewashed ‘First-Hand’ Account of No-Till Farming’s Rise over 50-Plus Years.”