Articles by John Dobberstein

John Dobberstein
From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Lessons in Water Management from the Delta

Recently I spent some time driving east from Oklahoma to southeastern Missouri to visit some farmers in the Delta region for our magazine. I’ve heard of some soil erosion problems occurring in the Delta, which includes the Bootheel region of southeastern Missouri where corn, popcorn, cotton, soybeans and wheat are popular.
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Lean, ‘Green’ No-Tilling Machine

Double-cropping, ‘planting green’ and adding precision technology is helping no-tiller David Black reduce erosion and boost crop yields.
Having started no-tilling more than 40 years ago, David Black has seen soil health and yields continue to improve. But getting there was, at times, a test of faith.
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Banking Water, Fixing Soils Yield a No-Till ‘Green Up’

Rotational grazing, no-till practices and diverse cover crop mixes are the recipe to healthier soils for Leedey, Okla., no-tiller Jimmy Emmons.
When Jimmy Emmons talks about the major changes he’s making to his farm, he feels compelled to explain that his father and grandfather, “did the best they could do with the equipment they had.”
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John Dobberstein
From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Writing Is On the Wall

The latest round of taxpayer funds aimed at the declining Ogallala Aquifer shows why no-tilling, cover crops, precision irrigation and prescription grazing will be extremely important tools for farmers in the years ahead.
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John Dobberstein
From the Desk of John Dobberstein

More Than What Meets the Eye

Cover crop adoption has been a little slower in parts of the Great Plains, possibly more over fear of the unknown than actual poor outcomes seen by growers. But researchers reviewing decades of cover-crop studies say there are plenty of benefits to covers, whether you farm in the warm southern Plains or cooler prairies of western Canada.
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John Dobberstein
From the Desk of John Dobberstein

More Possibilities for Cover Crops

Early termination, inclusion of legume species and a little patience might be what's needed to make green manures and cover crops work in the drier areas of the U.S. without dinging yields and profits.
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The National No-Tillage Conference returns January 6-9, 2026! Build and refine your no-till system with dozens of new ideas and connections at the 34th Annual National No-Tillage Conference in St. Louis, Jan. 6-9, 2026. Experience an energizing 4-day agenda featuring inspiring general session speakers, expert-led No-Till Classrooms and collaborative No-Till Roundtables. Plus, Certified Crop Adviser credits will be offered.

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