Lance Petersen

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.

“We always had to have a plan B for our climate,” Petersen says. “But over time, strip-till has made our soil more pliable, workable and doesn’t need to be mechanically churned up.” 

During a classroom session on Wednesday, Aug. 3, at the 2016 National Strip-Tillage Conference, Petersen will discuss how he’s overcome climate and soil challenges with strip-till, along with future goals to improve yields and soil structure.

The host Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal, Ill., will offer an ideal learning environment for attendees to absorb dozens upon dozens of actionable strip-till practices from fellow farmers, consultants, university specialists and other agricultural experts through general sessions, strip-till classrooms, roundtable discussions, hallway networking and a special members-only workshop.

Preliminary plans for the event include 7 general session speakers, 12 classrooms covering a range of strip-till topics, including cover cropping, precision farming practices and equipment modifications, and 20 roundtable discussions.

Stay tuned for more conference updates by visiting www.StripTillConference.com and we’ll see you in central Illinois!