John Dobberstein

John Dobberstein was the senior editor of No-Till Farmer magazine and the e-newsletter Dryland No-Tiller. He previously covered agriculture for the Tulsa World and worked for daily newspapers in Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Joseph, Mich. He graduated with a B.A. in journalism and political science from Central Michigan University.

No-Till Innovators

Setting the Pace for Continued No-Till Growth

The 21st Class of No-Till Innovators is being honored for their efforts to promote the adoption of no-till and soil health principles.

By John Dobberstein posted on January 14, 2017 | Posted in Soil Health

Three individuals and one organization are being recognized as the 21st Class of No-Till Innovators for leading the adoption and advancement of no-till at the 25th annual National No-Tillage Conference.

No-Till Persistence Tackles Tough, Cold Northern Soils

Moisture issues and a short growing season haven’t stopped the Hoenhauses from no-tilling corn, seeding covers and fertilizing efficiently.

By John Dobberstein posted on January 14, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

The Hoenhause family used to hear no-till wasn’t necessary in their area because there was ample moisture to grow a crop.

Leaving the Comfort Zone for a Greener No-Till Future

Allen Below’s 7,000-acre farm in southeastern Missouri is undergoing a rapid transformation with the help of no-till practices, aggressive cover crop adoption and elimination of tillage.

By John Dobberstein posted on December 17, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health, Termination

For the last few years, Allen Below has been working on a learning curve, but he’s moving toward a day where he’s reduced or eliminated irrigation, restored his farm’s soils and is enjoying a better balance sheet.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Getting More Profits from Animal and Soil Livestock

By John Dobberstein posted on November 9, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Grazing cover crops and stockpiled residue and shifting calving seasons could help you eke out more profits and improve your soils at the same time.

Seeding Covers, Ending Tillage Guides Challenging No-Till Transition

For Keith Mayberry, cutting trips across the field and keeping soils covered has reduced his need for irrigation and slashed his farm’s annual fuel budget.

By John Dobberstein posted on September 17, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices

A perfect storm, of sorts, convinced Keith Mayberry it was time to change how he raised his crops.

In Their Own Words: Making Cover Crops Work

By John Dobberstein posted on August 10, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Three no-tillers and ranchers speaking at the Southern Soil Health Conference in Ardmore, Okla., share how integrating cover crops into their livestock operations improved soil health, productivity and profitability.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Cover Crops Contributing to the Bottom Line

By John Dobberstein posted on August 10, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Not convinced cover crops are a good investment? Many of your fellow no-tillers may disagree. See SARE’s fourth annual cover crop survey to find out why.

Opening the Door to Change Sparks No-Tilling Success

Steve Tucker sees a profitable future for his no-till operation with a commitment to cropping diversity and keeping soils covered.

By John Dobberstein posted on July 30, 2016 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Grazing

Steve Tucker still remembers driving around on the farm with his grandfather and hearing him say, “I should hope you never have to go through something like the 1930s and the drought that I went through.”

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

Don’t Get Burned by Herbicide Carryover

By John Dobberstein posted on July 27, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

I was recently perusing the regular e-newsletter sent out by the cover crop company Green Cover Seed and noticed an excellent article from Kansas farmer, salesman and educator Dale Strickler that is worth sharing.