On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by CultivAce, Hickory, N.C., record-breaking no-tiller Russell Hedrick shares how he was able to decrease his soybean seeds per pound from 2,800 to under 1,400. In the Farmer Feature segment, Hopkinton, Iowa, no-tiller Ryan Gibbs gives a crash course on how to use a refractometer to measure brix levels in corn and soybeans.

The 3-year study compared conventional till broadcast, no-till broadcast and strip-till banded systems, and different application rates of MAP and potash with each system.

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by CultivAce, we break down harvest results from a couple studies in the Corn Belt — no-till vs. conventional tillage soybeans in Indiana, and a nutrient stratification study in Illinois. Plus, in the Cover Crop Connection segment, assistant editor Mackane Vogel shares a new piece of equipment that’s piquing the interest of cover croppers.

Ryan and Melissa Shaw of Marlette, Mich., had their fair share of anxiety when going all in on strip-till in the fall of 2014.

Motivated by his mentor’s success, Harrell formulated what he calls the perfect plan for chasing high-yielding soybeans, with an assist from his crop consultant and fellow strip-tiller, Caleb Traugh of Blakely, Ga.

West Union, Iowa, no-tiller Loran Steinlage checks in with a harvest update, and explains why this fall will be one of his most educational harvests yet. Also in this episode, Dr. Ben West, executive director of Farmers for Soil Health, identifies 2 key factors that will drive no-till, strip-till and cover crop adoption rates. This episode of Conservation Ag Update is brought to you by CultivAce.