Mark Parker

Diversity Above, Below Ground Feeds The Soil And Crop

Polyculture cover cropping has helped no-tiller Gabe Brown increase soil-organic matter, improve crop yields and reduce fertilizer rates on his North Dakota farm and ranch.

By Mark Parker posted on April 3, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Diversity above the ground leads to robust soil health that powers profitable crop production, says no-tiller Gabe Brown.

Killing the Most Popular Cover Crops — The Right Way

Effective termination of cover crops is essential if no-tillers are to get the best results from their seeding and establishment efforts.

By Mark Parker posted on February 1, 2014 | Posted in Termination

Your cover crop has protected the soil, contributed nutrients and helped enhance soil health. But it has to die for the following crop to reap the benefits.

Fertility, Covers, Precision Inputs Form Complete No-Till Package

Bill Murr leverages the soil-building benefits of no-till with strategic nutrient, weed and disease management on his 3,400-acre farm in northeast Kansas.

By Mark Parker posted on January 1, 2014 | Posted in Seeding Practices

It was a simple observation that first set Bill Murr on the no-till path. Corn stalks lying in the field held silt that would otherwise wash away, he noticed.

No-Till, Covers Make CRP Acres Protected And Productive Again

Missouri farmer Jerry Morris says no-till and cover-crop mixes helped him put CRP acres back into crop production and keep his sloping fields from suffering erosion.

By Mark Parker posted on December 1, 2013

The benefits of no-till and cover crops have helped a farm in Missouri open up the productivity potential of marginal land and protect fragile soils.

Cover Crop Enthusiasm Helps No-Tiller Get More With Less

Spurred on by a payoff in soil quality and reduced inputs, Missouri no-tiller Bruce Bartlett is overcoming cover-crop challenges to improve his no-till system.

By Mark Parker posted on September 1, 2013

Cover crops are driving the roots of Bruce Bartlett’s corn a little deeper into the southwest Missouri soil and delivering bonus fertility to boot.

Companion Cropping Boosts No-Till Profits, Soil Health

Growing double-crop sunflowers with multiple species has reduced inputs and enhanced primary crop health for Kansas no-tillers Robin and Kelly Griffeth.

By Mark Parker posted on June 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Double crop sunflowers planted with companion crops have a triple payoff for Jewell, Kan., no-tillers Robin and Kelly Griffeth.

Rolling, Crimping Can Help No-Tillers Use Covers Better

Well-designed roller-crimpers, and a good management plan, can help no-tillers and strip-tillers smother weeds, improve soil protection and get the most from high-biomass cover crops.

By Mark Parker posted on May 1, 2013

Rolling and crimping tall cover crops can help no-tillers and strip-tillers plant into heavy residue, preserve moisture and, in some cases, reduce herbicide use.

No-Tillers Tame Heat and Tough Clay Soils

Relay soybeans, controlled traffic and cover crops play key roles in helping Randy and Nicole Small make no-till work in southeastern Kansas

By Mark Parker posted on April 1, 2013 | Posted in Soil Health

Continuous no-till is an uncommon practice in southeast Kansas, where tight clay soils can hinder nutrient distribution and the growing environment causes rapid breakdown of residue.

Unraveling the Mystery of Cover-Crop Seed Quality

No-tillers must sort through the sales hype and learn more about their seed sources to find economical, effective species and varieties that will accomplish their cover-crop goals.

By Mark Parker posted on February 1, 2013 | Posted in Seeding Practices

As more and more no-tillers embrace cover crops, the production of the seed itself has become a rapidly growing industry in which marketing can sometimes outpace performance.

Cover Crops Power No-Till Payoff

From conservation to higher yields to reduced fertilizer and herbicide use, cover crops brought an immediate payback for Jacob Farms.

By Mark Parker posted on May 12, 2012

Last summer, when high temperatures in south-central Kansas spiraled above 100 F for several weeks, the benefits of cover crops never seemed so real for no-tillers like Ryan Speer.