On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Martin-Till, Brian and Darren Hefty, fourth-generation farmers and hosts of Ag PhD, share tips for treating tar spot in corn. The fungal disease is once again making its presence felt in 11 states this summer.

The Illinois Corn Precision Conservation Management (PCM) program released data from 8 years of studies comparing the profitability of various tillage systems in east central Illinois. The Univ. of Illinois breaks down some key data that shows how no-till stacks up to 1-pass tillage systems.

Later in the episode, we head to Cantril, Iowa, for the Zimmerman Manufacturing Strip-Till Field Day. Managing editor Michaela Paukner catches up with organic farmer Mark Dobson, who strip-tills soybeans through cover crops. Plus, No-Till Innovator Marion Calmer checks in from Alpha, Ill., with a preview of his upcoming National Strip-Tillage Conference presentation.

In the Cover Crop Connection, Rodrigo Werle, weed scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, shares the latest findings from his research on cereal rye weed suppression.

We also set the stage for the upcoming Precision Specialist Week with a look at why precision farming specialists are often the unsung heroes, behind the scenes really making agriculture go.

Finally, Our Photos of the Week showcase the latest cover crop trials at the Allison Organic Research and Demonstration Farm at Western Illinois University.

This episode of Conservation Ag Update is brought to you by Martin-Till.

Our customers believe that Martin-Till®️ products provide an excellent return on their investment. We know this because a large percentage of them are repeat customers since the beginning in 1991. Our planter attachments help make it possible to plant into higher levels of residue and moisture. Higher levels of mulch means less erosion, improved soil tilth and fertility, which can reduce production costs.

Martin-Till’s goal is to increase yields and save you time and money. We hope you find something from our product offerings of row cleaner, UMO’s, closing wheels systems and recently added concaves that will make this year’s planting & harvesting go better for you. After all, you deserve the best!

Read the full transcript of this episode of Conservation Ag Update.

Have an interesting photo or video from your farm? Or a story you’d like us to feature on the broadcast? Send me an email at Nnewman@lesspub.com.

And that will wrap things up on this edition of Conservation Ag Update. Until next time, for more stories visit no-tillfarmer.com, striptillfarmer.com and covercropstrategies.com. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!