Ricky Kratz, Slinger, Wis., strip-tiller, shares the new technology they have added to their farm, how it has improved planting and how soon they were able to receive results from their investments.

The spring rains that have improved soil moisture conditions in many areas have been welcomed as favoring a return to more normal corn yields in 2013 following the drought of a year ago. At the same time, persistent and heavy precipitation (including snow in northern areas) that has delayed the start to corn planting raise concerns that late planting will have a negative impact on yield potential.

Mike Olson, sales manager for Ag Leader Technology, explains how the wet spring closed the planting window and forced many farmers to plant into wetter soils. On-the-go downforce pressure changes help those farmers vary their pressure based on the soil.

An Ontario study found that fall strip-till allowed corn to be planted 5 to 21 days sooner in heavy clay soil vs. conventional tillage.