On July 12, researchers applied supplemental N treatments to two corn fields. The treatments included three supplemental N rates (0, 40 and 80 pounds per acre) and two N sources/methods of application (urea, 46-0-0, with NBPT applied as a surface broadcast, and UAN, 32-0-0, applied at the base of the corn row).

Chad Baker texted me a Warren, Ill., address and said, “Meet me here at 9 a.m.,” for a peek behind the curtain during one of the most hectic times of the year.

Fifteen years ago, strip-till was widely touted as the way row crop farmers could have it all. By just tilling the narrow rows where they will place their seeds, they'll have a strip with higher spring soil temperatures and a trash-free seed bed for planting like conventional tillage methods provide, but still get most of the reduced erosion and increased soil organic matter benefits of no-till.

Dave Hula continues his NCGA Yield Contest championship run with a 490-bushel yield in the strip-till irrigated category — the top overall yield in the 2024 contest. His son, Craig, was right behind him with a 461-bushel yield in the same category.

Jerry Hatfield. Liz Haney. Roy Pfaltzgraff. Lance Gunderson, Dan Luepkes. Russell Hedrick. Sarah Martello. Talk about a cavalcade of All-Stars. With heavy hitters like those on the program, we knew this year’s Big Soil Health Event was a can’t-miss event.