Frank Lessiter

International No-Till, Strip-Till and Cover Crops Research Journal – September 2024

Each month, the conservation ag group at Cornell University offers an analysis of the latest scientific papers dealing with conservation agriculture research from around the world. For this on-going web series, our editors will be selecting several research papers from the Cornell list that will be of special interest to North American no-tillers, strip-tillers and cover croppers.

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 11, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health

In this edition:

Earthworms as Soil Health Indicators in No-Tillage Agroecosystems
No-Till Farming and Climate Change Mitigation: Lessons Learnt from Long-Term No-Till Experiments and Future Perspectives (Chapter 2)
The Impact of ‘T’-shaped Furrow Opener of No-Tillage Seeder on Straw and Soil Based on Discrete Element Method
Characterization of Soil Pores in Strip-Tilled and Conventionally-Tilled Soil Using X-ray Computed Tomography
Critical Review of the Impact of Cover Crops on Soil Properties
Understanding Farmers’ Adoption of Conservation Tillage in South Dakota: A Modified Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Cover Crops Held Soil in Place During Massive Western Canada Floods

By Frank Lessiter posted on December 3, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Canada's National Observer

When an unprecedented storm sent floodwaters rushing across Travis Forstbauer’s fields, the Chilliwack, British Columbia, farmer was concerned that he would lose the precious fertile soil that his livelihood depends on. Instead, the western Canadian grower was pleasantly surprised that his land had suffered minimal damage, thanks to his cover crops.

Cover Crops Required in New York Town

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 19, 2019 | Posted in Seeding Practices

New legislation addresses last winter's dust storms that led to wind erosion and health concerns among New York residents living in eastern Long Island.

From the Desk of Frank Lessiter

Covers Keep Weeds in Check

By Frank Lessiter posted on April 25, 2019

When growers talk about the benefits of cover crops, the talk normally centers around erosion control, keeping nutrients in the field, improving soil quality and trimming fertilizer purchases. But effective weed control is another benefit.

Frank Comments

The New $867 Billion Farm Bill Includes Benefits for No-Tilling, Strip-Tilling, Terminating Cover Crops, Improving Soil Health and Sequestering More Carbon

By Frank Lessiter posted on January 11, 2019 | Posted in Economics, Seeding Practices, Termination

While much has been written on the economic aspects of the 2018 Farm Bill, the legislation included a number of items of special interest to no-tillers. Probably the most important one is new language specifically defining the rules for cover crop termination.

Frank Comments

If Lawmakers Were to Say ‘Yes,’ Your History with No-Till, Cover Crops and Rotations Could Slice Insurance Costs by $4.50 Per Acre

By Frank Lessiter posted on July 24, 2018 | Posted in Economics, Soil Health

Passage of a unique concept that got Congressional consideration during the writing of the 2018 Farm Bill could put more dollars in the pockets of no-tillers. It’s an idea that farmers who use no-till, cover crops and conservation-minded crop rotations to protect the soil should be rewarded with an equivalent of auto insurance’s “good driver discount” when it comes to paying crop insurance premiums.

Frank Comments

Same Old Conservation Ideas, Just New Words to Describe Them

By Frank Lessiter posted on April 14, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

While there’s increasing emphasis on “sustainable agriculture” and “soil health,” these four buzzwords tend to ruffle the feathers of veteran no-tillers and others like myself who have followed the no-till movement for nearly a half century. It’s because we recognize that earlier generations of no-tillers were the original true innovators behind these “not-so-new” concepts that go back to the 1960s.

Plowing CRP Ground is Like Building a House, Setting it on Fire to Collect the Insurance, Then Not Having Anywhere to Stay when Colder Weather Arrives

By Frank Lessiter posted on January 13, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

The dramatic statement highlighted in this column’s headline was among comments received from over 150 no-tillers who answered a recent No-Till Farmer email survey dealing with bringing Crop Reserve Program (CRP) ground back into cash crop production.

Every Field Totally Winterized

By Frank Lessiter posted on December 16, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

A recent drive along the eastern U.S. shore opened my eyes to the dramatic acceptance of cover crops and no-till among farmers in this area in boosting incomes and protecting the environment.

Frank Comments

Even Though They’re Among Ag’s Latest ‘Buzz Words,’ Cover Crops Offer a Soil-Building Strategy that No-Tillers Have Cashed in on for Several Decades

By Frank Lessiter posted on October 28, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

While less than 2% of America’s cropland is seeded to cover crops, a remarkable 77% of no-tillers enjoy the many benefits offered by protecting the soil over the winter months.