John Dobberstein

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Carbon Credits by 2020 for No-Till, Cover Crops? It Could Happen This Time

By John Dobberstein posted on May 17, 2019

A coalition of environmental organizations and food companies announced efforts to build a market that would pay farmers for carbon sequestration and cleaner water. What will it mean for you?

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

D.C. Compromises Not Helping the Soil Health Movement

By John Dobberstein posted on May 9, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

While some important progress was made in the recent Farm Bill regarding soil health and cover crop management, a recent article detailed an important omission that will still impact many farmers’ wallets.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Let the Case for Cover Crops Rest in Your Fields

By John Dobberstein posted on January 10, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

The chorus of research emerging about cover crops can reveal some surprising contradictions, but here’s why you shouldn’t change what you love about this soil-building tool.

Crop Insurance Confusion with Cover Crops May Fade Away

By John Dobberstein posted on December 27, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

Read on to learn about changes ushered in by the recently approved Farm Bill that should make cover crops a more attractive conservation tool for no-tillers.

Piecing Together a No-Till System from the Ground Up

A family that ignored naysayers and embraced no-till practices and living roots is bringing productivity back to tough clay soils and riverbottoms in southern Indiana.

By John Dobberstein posted on November 5, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

Joe Kern and his father, John, admit they’re still dealing with a learning curve. But through working with no-till practices they’re transforming their “clay pot” soils into acreage that recently produced up to 240-bushel corn and 80-bushel soybeans.

‘Boutique’ Farm Yields Big-Time No-Till Savings and Success

97-year-old Melvin Steck has flirted with 300-bushel corn and hit 70-bushel soybeans with homemade equipment, common sense and a long-term commitment to no-till.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 14, 2018 | Posted in Economics, Seeding Practices

These days, Melvin Steck doesn’t go to many farm shows, field days or plot tours and isn’t the type to sell his program or philosophies to others. But this 97-year-old no-tiller will talk plenty about how the soil works.

[Podcast] It’s All About Carbon: Building a Thriving Soil Biological Community

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Calmer Corn Heads, we're discussing healthy soils and diverse organisms with Dennis Chessman, the team leader for the NRCS Soil Health Division in Lexington, Ky.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 13, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Calmer Corn Heads, we're discussing healthy soils and diverse organisms with Dennis Chessman, the team leader for the NRCS Soil Health Division in Lexington, Ky.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

No-Tilling, Cover Crops Not Window Dressing — They’re the Solution

By John Dobberstein posted on September 13, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

I came across an article this week that seems to mirror the challenges we’re having today with implementing conservation practices in the semi-arid Great Plains, and the concern I’ve had that our agricultural leaders are not on the same page about this.

No-Tillers Stay Flexible to Get the Most from Cereal Rye

A new cover crop seeding rig, an ATV sprayer and a lot of patience helped this Ohio family improve tough soils and stabilize yields with no-till and cereal rye.

By John Dobberstein posted on August 14, 2018 | Posted in Seeding Practices

When Nathan Wilson first considered no-tilling corn and soybeans he was worried it might not work well. He had seen some poor stands and weed control problems on other farms and field days. But it turned out Nathan just needed to set foot on the right farm to see the possibilities.

[Podcast] Tips and Strategies for Getting More Success with Aerially Seeded Cover Crops

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Calmer Corn Heads, we welcome Damon Reabe, aerial cover crop applicator and co-owner of Dairyland Aviation from Waupun, Wis., to explain the necessary steps to ensure a successful cover crop stand, including the best timing of application and what soils have the greatest success rate.

By John Dobberstein posted on July 26, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

In this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Calmer Corn Heads, we welcome Damon Reabe, aerial cover crop applicator and co-owner of Dairyland Aviation from Waupun, Wis., to explain the necessary steps to ensure a successful cover crop stand, including the best timing of application and what soils have the greatest success rate.