Do you feel like soil compaction is squeezing your yields? Are you wondering what you can do about it? Every equipment pass risks compaction. Compaction affects root and crop growth, water infiltration, crop fertility access, crop diseases and yield, just to name a few. However, many management practices exist to help fix compaction and avoid it in the future.

Typical approaches to dealing with compaction include deep tillage or relying on freeze-thaw cycles brought on by the seasons. University of Minnesota extension educator Jodi DeJong-Hughes says not only are these approaches not adequate for dealing with compacted soils, relying on them can actually create additional problems. During a Premiere Lecture Series session at the 2022 National Strip-Tillage Conference, "Managing Soil Compaction for Better Strip-Till Outcomes," sponsored by Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America, Inc., DeJong-Hughes will offer insights into how strip-tillers can deal with current compaction and build proven strategies to minimize your risk in the future, all while discussing the benefits you can expect from both efforts. 

The 9th annual National Strip-Tillage Conference will be held from July 28-29 at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Iowa City, Iowa. A focused 2-day program covers myriad topics for profitable results in strip-till farming, including equipment set-ups, cover crops, intercropping, economic analyses, soil testing/analysis, fertilizing methods and more.

Unique from other ag conferences is the mix of general sessions, classrooms and farmer-to farmer roundtables and face time with suppliers - all designed for maximum networking and the practical transfer of experience and knowledge. The lineup includes:

• General Sessions - covering an abundance of proven strip-tilling ideas and strategies. Among the national experts this year are Mike Petersen of Colorado, Jodi DeJong Hughes of Minnesota, John Kempf of Ohio, Chris Perkins of Indiana and David Bullock of Illinois.
• Farmer-to-Farmer Roundtables - informal, moderated peer-to-peer discussions on specific strip-till topics. Attendees should come with 5 questions to get answered in this proven format for sharing what works and doesn't.
• Classrooms - in-depth presentation-style sessions convey practical, actionable ideas from experienced strip-tillers on the most pressing needs.
• Strip-Till Innovator of the Year - the 2022 recipient of the best-in-class program is announced and keys to their success as a benchmark-worthy strip-till operation.
• Bonus Workshop at Kinze Manufacturing & Tour - in this first-ever offsite workshop, Kinze welcomes farmers for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the largest, privately held ag equipment manufacturers in North America. Following the plant tour and museum experience, a dynamic and intimate (48 attendees) luncheon workshop features renowned soil health specialist Jim Hoorman of Ohio.

Experience 2 Exciting Pre-conference Bonus Learning Opportunities! 

Take advantage of this exclusive tour and workshop at 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, July 27, prior to the offical kickoff of the conference. Meet at the Kinze Manufacturing facility in Williamsburg, Iowa, just 30 minutes from the Conference headquarters, for a behind-the-scenes look, at one of the largest, privately held ag equipment manufacturers in North America. After the Kinze tour, an on-site lunch will be served prior to a dynamic preconference workshop with soil health specialist Jim Hoorman, "Boosting the Bottom Line with Mineral Nutrition & Humates." This workshop costs an additional $99 to attend and is limited to 48 attendees. Learn more and sign up here or by calling (866) 839-8455 or (262) 432-0388.

Registration for the event is $399, and attendees who register their farm and family members receive $20 off in additional savings per attendee. For more information and to register for the conference, visit www.StripTillFarmer.com/NSTC.

Title sponsors making the learning and networking opportunities possible for strip-tillers include AgroLiquid, Martin-Till, Dawn Equipment Co., Environmental Tillage Systems, Kuhn Krause, Montag Mfg., Orthman Mfg., Schlagel Mfg., Vulcan Equipment, ESN by Nutrien, Agrisolutions, and Yetter Mfg. Co., The North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), Practical Farmers of Iowa and multi-store Case IH dealership J.J. Nichting are also providing support.