No-Till Farmer Podcast
Science & Ideas
About
The No-Till Farmer Podcast is the no-tiller's audio source for in-depth knowledge on high-profit no-till crop production, including planting, fertilizing, residue management, crop protection, cover crops and other management practices that promote stewardship of the environment.
Episodes
- Farmers Slash Inputs by $170 Per Acre with No-Till & ‘Neighborly Grazing’
On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Titan International, Latimer, Iowa no-tillers Landon and Anne Plagge describe the soil health practices that propelled them to the 2025 Leopold Conservation Award, including a un…
- More on the Interference of Congress & Industry Standing in the Way ‘Unfavorable Science’
Jon Lundgren, founder of Blue Dasher Farms and the Ecdysis Foundation, left his USDA scientist position due to political interference. He now conducts independent regenerative farming studies and analyzes data from over 1,000 farmers.
- What’s Possible When You Commit to Soil Health
Tom Cotter shares his experience transitioning to no-till farming, integrating organic and regenerative methods. His farm in Austin, Minn. features a rotation of 14 cash crops alongside cover crops and livestock grazing across all acres.
- USDA Fought Regenerative Agriculture… Now There’s a $700 Million Turn-Around
Jonathan Lundgren, now farming at Blue Dasher Farms, shares the story behind a decade-long USDA controversy and a recent $700 million turn-around in support of regenerative agriculture, discussed at the 34th National No-Tillage Conference.
- Same Low-Cost Technology Offered 25 Years Later (More Like 70 Years Later)
The episode reflects on the resurgence of low-technology, affordably priced tractors, comparing a modern startup's offerings to those available 25 years prior and historically.
- No-Tillers Cashing in on Direct Sales to Consumers
The No-Till Farmer Podcast discusses how no-till farmers can increase their income by selling directly to consumers. While opportunities exist, growers often express concerns about the workload involved.
- Nobody Likes High Nitrogen Costs, But…
High nitrogen costs are a concern for farmers, but no-till farmers who use cover crops are in a better position. Cover crops can provide a significant amount of nitrogen, reducing the need to purchase it.
- How Building Mentoring Programs Can Increase Momentum for No-Till Adoption
No-Till Farmer Editor Frank Lessiter moderated a discussion with innovators Jim Moseley, Rodney Rulon, and Lisa Holscher on the importance of farmer-to-farmer mentorship for advancing conservation practices like no-till and cover crops.
- Dick Foell Was a ‘True’ No-Till Promoter, Believing in Its Many Benefits to ‘Save Soil, Toil & Oil’
The No-Till Farmer Podcast remembers Dick Foell, a dedicated no-till farming advocate who passed away at 90. Foell was known for his extensive knowledge and passion for no-till methods that he believed conserved soil, labor, and oil.
- Relay Cropping, New No-Till Drill Among Early #Plant26 Highlights
This episode of the No-Till Farmer Podcast covers early highlights from #Plant26, focusing on relay cropping and a new no-till drill.
- Bringing No-Till Innovation to Alaska, the Last Frontier
This No-Till Farmer podcast episode discusses the logistics of bringing no-till farming to Alaska, covering a retrofit project and an upcoming no-till field. The conversation includes insights from Quality Drills and Alaska Agro.
- No-Tiller Shares Keys to 115-Bushel, State Record Soybeans
Wisconsin no-tiller Kevin Klahn shares insights into achieving a state record soybean yield of 115 bushels. The episode also includes a key takeaway from the USDA Prospective Plantings report.
- What Our Editors Heard on the Show Floor at Commodity Classic 2026
Senior Editor John Dobberstein reports on exhibitor discussions from Commodity Classic 2026 in San Antonio, detailing products, innovations, and management strategies relevant for the upcoming farming season.
- Cover Crops a Must for 300-Bushel Corn Grower
Mark Schleisman explains the role of cover crops in achieving a 300-bushel corn yield and winning the NCGA corn yield contest in Iowa. Michael E. Berg details his family's conservation methods near the Pecatonica River.
- A Q&A with U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins at Commodity Classic
At Commodity Classic 2026, U.S. Secretary Brooke Rollins, alongside NRCS Secretary Aubrey Bettencourt and USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce, addressed farm media on topics including U.S. trade, screw worm eradication, input costs, E-15,…
- New Strip-Till Equipment & USDA Breaking News at 2026 Commodity Classic
This episode covers new strip-till equipment showcased at the 2026 Commodity Classic by Environmental Tillage Systems and Case IH. It also includes updates from a USDA press conference regarding a computer network overhaul.
- Cover Crops 101 — Regenerating Your Soil
Keith Berns, co-owner of Green Cover Seed and author of Cover Crops 101, discusses cover crop benefits, species selection, and seeding methods on the No-Till Farmer Podcast. The episode is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.
- No-Till Legend Shares Residue Management Tips at National Farm Machinery Show
This episode features No-Till Innovator Phil Needham discussing residue management at the National Farm Machinery Show. Agronomist Brad Forkner also shares information on new agricultural inputs, including Squid Juice.
- Remembering Bill Cannon — A No-Till Pioneer
This episode of the No-Till Farmer Podcast discusses Pennsylvania No-Till Pioneer Bill Cannon. It includes insights from four people who were significantly influenced by Cannon and collaborated with him prior to his death. The episode is s…
- No-Tiller Breaks World Yield Record for Non-Irrigated Soybeans
Chris Weaver discusses his fall plot preparation with a roller-crimper, which led to a world record yield for non-irrigated soybeans. The episode also covers equipment industry news regarding Yetter
- No-Till Innovator’s System Boosts Nutrient Cycling, Prevents Runoff
Jim Hershey shares conservation tips from his Elizabethtown, Pa., farm, and Joseph Kern details the impact of planting green on his operation in Mariah Hill, Ind. Both are featured on this episode of Conservation Ag Update.
- A New Cover Crop Business is Born
Ryan and Mat Heiniger founded a new cover crop business. They discuss their experience transitioning from being father and son to business partners.
- No-Till Farmer’s 1:1 with Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Modern Ag Alliance
Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Executive Director of the Modern Ag Alliance, discusses protecting farmers' crop protection tool choices and the role of conservation agriculture. The conversation follows her presentation at the 2026 National No-…
- The Machine Age: What If Your Fully-Aware Tractor Won’t Allow a Tillage Pass?
This episode of the No-Till Farmer Podcast discusses the implications of artificial intelligence in farming, presenting a hypothetical situation where a fully-aware tractor might prevent a planned tillage pass.
- Top Highlights & Eye-Openers from 2026 National No-Tillage Conference
This episode covers highlights from the 34th annual National No-Tillage Conference in St. Louis, featuring takeaways from attendees and a conversation with no-tiller Jeff Martin about his practices.
- All You’ve Wanted to Know — and More — About Biological Seed Treatments
Doug Miller, vice president of MidWest Biotech, discusses biological seed treatments on the No-Till Farmer Podcast. He covers common ingredients and their function in supporting seed germination, seedling growth, and early root development…
- Illinois No-Tiller Talks Non-GMO Seeds, Killing Weeds and Previews NNTC ‘Ted Talks’
Monte Bottens, co-founder of Ag Solutions Network, discusses the significance of the USDA’s $700 million investment in regenerative agriculture. He also previews the National No-Tillage Conference, highlighting new "Ted-style” talks and ad…
- What You DON’T Want to Miss at This Year’s National No-Tillage Conference
John Dobberstein previews the 2026 National No-Till Conference, highlighting educational sessions and networking opportunities for growers attending the event in St. Louis from January 6-9.
- No-Till Veterans: Strap on the Headlamp
The episode 'No-Till Veterans: Strap on the Headlamp' on the No-Till Farmer Podcast discusses how the future of Conservation Agriculture depends on the knowledge shared by those who have successfully transitioned to no-till methods.
- A No-Tiller’s Take on USDA’s $700 Million Regenerative Pilot Program
Monte Bottens shares his perspective on the USDA's $700 million investment in regenerative agriculture, highlighting its importance for the no-till and soil health movement.
- Tom Cotter Transforms Cold, Wet Soils with No-Till, Cover Crops & Livestock
Tom Cotter explains the foundational elements of his no-till farming system, focusing on soil improvement. Russell Hedrick presents findings from his on-farm experiments with biologicals and his method for evaluating new products.
- No-Till Patience Pays Off for Award-Winning Dairy Farmers
This episode of Conservation Ag Update features the Gray family's Leopold Conservation Award-winning no-till operation in North Carolina. Jon Stevens documents a no-till corn harvest in challenging soil conditions in Minnesota.
- First-Generation Growers Break Down Challenges, Victories with Conservation Farming
James Hepp and Joel Reddick, featured on the No-Till Farmer podcast, discuss their experiences as first-generation farmers implementing strip-till and no-till conservation farming methods, including the difficulties and achievements they e…
- 7 Tips for a Better No-Till Harvest
No-Till Farmer Podcast shares 7 tips for a better harvest from No-Till Innovator Marion Calmer. The episode also includes a discussion on planting green with Tony Peirick.
- What it Takes to No-Till 100-Bushel Soybeans
Bryan Severs, a grower from Potomac, Ill., shares his successful no-till farming program for non-GMO soybeans and strip-tilled corn on his 5,000-acre farm. His methods aim to achieve consistent yields of 100 bushels per acre.
- Halloween Sales to Suburbanites Worth Making
The episode discusses Halloween sales opportunities by observing autumnal displays in a suburban hardware store, noting that such businesses attract non-farmers interested in seasonal home decorations.
- In the Trenches: What Soil Health Expert Ray Weil Learned Visiting Ukraine Farmers
Soil scientist Ray Weil shares insights from his visit with Ukraine farmers on the No-Till Farmer Podcast. The episode is presented by Yetter Farm Equipment.
- Comparing the Economics of No-Till, Strip-Till & Conventional Systems
University of Illinois analysts analyzed new data from the Precision Conservation Management program to compare the economic performance of no-till, strip-till, and conventional tillage farming systems.
- No-Till Innovator Exchanges Tips & Tricks with Farmers in Ukraine
No-Till Innovator Loran Steinlage shares learnings from farmers in Ukraine on this episode. Also, Michael Thompson discusses his planter setup and starter fertilizer approach.
- On the Road with Cover Crops — Paul McPherson
The No-Till Farmer Podcast features a discussion on cover crops with Paul McPherson at Maple Lawn Farms in New Park, Pennsylvania. This episode concludes a road trip series and is sponsored by Yetter Farm Equipment.
- ‘Slake Test’ Reveals Major Differences Between No-Till & Conventional Soils
This episode of Conservation Ag Update features research from the Watershed Protection Committee of Racine County, comparing no-till and conventional soils. A slake test revealed notable differences, and agronomist Jim Stute discusses the…
- On the Road with Cover Crops — Bryan Racine Part 2
This episode follows a trip to see farmer Bryan Racine in Maryland, who is new to no-till and cover crops but innovating rapidly. The journey continues with a look at his work in the field this year.
- No-Till, Cover Crop Breakthroughs Turn Heads at 2025 Farm Progress Show
The No-Till Farmer Podcast visits the 2025 Farm Progress Show, highlighting a Syngenta nematode defense demonstration and featuring no-tiller Dave Brown's insights on the 2025 growing season.
- On the Road with Cover Crops — Bryan Racine Part 1
Bryan Racine, a no-till and cover crop practitioner in Cecil County, Maryland, is innovating rapidly in his relatively new involvement with these farming methods. This episode is presented by Yetter Farm Equipment.
- Longtime Farmer Adds Something New to No-Till Toolbox
Mike Starkey details a new no-till strategy aimed at lowering farm inputs. Ross Bishop discusses how farmers in southeastern Wisconsin are managing unprecedented rainfall, including a significant flood event.
- On the Road with Cover Crops — Jim Hershey Part 2
Mackane Vogel of Cover Crop Strategies visits three farmers in Maryland and Pennsylvania to observe their unique approaches to cover cropping. This episode is brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment.
- Lessons Learned from a Soil Pit at Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance Field Day
This episode features Lisa Blazure and Sjoerd Duiker discussing the effects of living roots and nightcrawlers observed in a soil pit at the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance's 20th anniversary field day.
- On the Road with Cover Crops — Jim Hershey Part 1
Mackane Vogel, Associate Editor for No-Till Farmer, travels through Maryland and Pennsylvania to explore diverse cover cropping practices with three different farmers. This episode is the first part of the series.
- No-Till Innovator: ‘Zero Dust Storms’ with No-Till & Cover Crops
Randall Reeder, a retired agricultural engineer and no-till innovator, explains the significant costs associated with soil erosion. He advocates for no-till farming and cover crops as effective methods to mitigate dust storms.
- How New Formulator Alliance Could Evolve Input Technologies
Norm Davy, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Tidal Grow AgriScience, explains the purpose of the New Formulator Alliance and anticipates the future developments for farmers as more formulators join the initiative.