Economics

Higher Diesel Prices, Higher Custom Rates

lessitef@lesspub.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Earlier this year, 205 custom operators and farm managers in Iowa responded to the annual Iowa farm custom rate survey that is coordinated by Iowa State University ag economists.

Cover Crops Bring Soil Back to Life in Dry Country

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 30 May 2026 01:00:00 -0400

“For the first shovel out of the ground to find an earthworm, that’s just unheard of in Arizona,” Robert Boyle says. Editor Noah Newman shares more observations from his visit with the Strip-Till Innovator in Coolidge, Ariz.

More Livestock Farmers Grazed Cover Crops, Saw Lower Value

lbarrera@lesspub.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Farmers raising livestock & cover crops remained largely consistent in their practices, though there were slight shifts with the species grazed & timing.

Farmers Set New Record for Average Acreage Planted Green, Battled Dry Fall Conditions

lbarrera@lesspub.com — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Other seeding & termination trends show drones as a seeding tool continued to grow & the type of herbicide used for termination varied by region.

Cover Cropping Costs Climb

lbarrera@lesspub.com — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Farmers spent more on seed & saw fewer pesticide savings, but thanks to incentive payments, most are not bearing the full brunt of expenses.

2025 Cover Crop Benchmark Study Reveals Latest Trends, Changes & Challenges

lbarrera@lesspub.com — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Data from the annual survey found that average planting green acres grew to a new record, costs rose & more livestock owners turned to cover crop grazing.

Cover Crop Grazing Provides Economic & Soil Health Wins

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Iowa no-tiller’s complex cover crop ‘salad mix’ continues to reveal new benefits to his operation each year.

Growing the Game — Helping Landowners Understand Benefits of Cover Crops, No-Till

mvogel@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Driving back from Indianapolis to Milwaukee after attending a very unique event at a no-tiller's home, I couldn't stop thinking about one sentence that I heard.

Triticale Eyed as Economical Cover Crop for Louisiana

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Although less common in the U.S., triticale has been embraced by some as a winter cover crop, and LSU AgCenter breeders are hoping to soon release a variety that is ideal for Louisiana farmers.

No-Till, Strip-Till and Cover Crops Research Journal - February 2026

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

In this edition:

Can no-tillage and crop diversification sustain nutrient stocks in acidic and poorly-fertilized soils? Evidence from 32 years of real-world agricultural management in Paraguay.
The key role of local and global farmer networks in the development of conservation agriculture in California.
Mega-analysis of no-tillage and reduced tillage impacts on crop yields and greenhouse gas emissions.
Beyond the buzz: analyzing actors promoting regenerative agriculture in Europe.

No-Tiller with Perfect NNTC Attendance Shares Cover Crop Lessons Learned

mvogel@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500

You can count on one hand the number of people who have attended each and every single one of our now 34 National No-Tillage Conferences. Cole Camp, Mo., no-tiller Bryan Von Holten is one of them and I had a chance to catch up with him in between sessions last week in St. Louis.

Tips for Reducing the Cost of Cover Crops

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Here are some ways to keep the cost of cover crops down, especially for farmers planting a lot of acres. Getting Started with No-Till Farming is supported by Calmer Corn Heads.

Cover Crop Education at National No-Tillage Conference

mvogel@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Cover crops are sure to be a hot topic at this year’s National No-Tillage Conference. So here’s Minnesota no-tiller and cover cropper Tom Cotter to give a brief preview about his presentation at the conference, plus why he finds the event so valuable as an attendee.

Voluntary Winter Cover Crop Adoption Rises 5% Among Arkansas Farmers

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Arkansas farmers are increasingly planting winter cover crops, improving soil, water retention, and pest management on their land.

International No-Till, Strip-Till and Cover Crops Research Journal - December 2025

lessitef@lesspub.com — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this edition:

Soil health and conservation
In-season temporal variability of soil carbon and nitrogen pools after half a century of a tillage and crop rotation gradient.
Soil organic matter: The heart of soil health.
Cover Crops and Sustainable Agriculture.
Soil health and disturbance-based classification of farming systems.
Chapter 11. Cover Crop Mixes for Diversity, Carbon and Conservation Agriculture.
Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration and Distribution, Soil Biological Characteristics, and Winter Wheat Yields Under Different Tillage Practices in Long-Term Field Experiment.

A Father-Son Cover Crop Business

mvogel@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Many of you are familiar with Iowa no-tiller and Executive Director of the Conservation Technology Information Center, Ryan Heiniger. Recently I had a chance to chat with Ryan and his son Matt - who is currently a senior in high school — about the new cover crop business they started this summer called Clear Water Cover Crops.

[Podcast] Clear Water Cover Crops — From Father-Son to Business Partners

mvogel@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

On this episode of the Cover Crop Strategies Podcast, brought to you by the 2026 National No-Tillage Conference, listen to a conversation with Iowa no-tiller and executive director of the Conservation Technology Information Center, Ryan Heiniger.

Better Outlook for the Future Pushes Farmer Sentiment Higher

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The improvement in farmer sentiment was attributable to producers’ more optimistic outlook for the future, as the November Future Expectations Index reading of 144 was 15 points higher than in October.

Traction Ag Acquires PcMars

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The move brings together two of the most respected names in ag-specific financial software and marks a major step forward in serving the full spectrum of farm accounting needs.

Economics of Crop and Livestock Integration

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Crop and livestock integration is a farm management strategy that combines production of livestock and annual crops on the same acres.

International No-Till, Strip-Till and Cover Crops Research Journal - November 2025

lessitef@lesspub.com — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this edition:

No-Tillage System: A genuine Brazilian technology that meets current global demands
Nature’s laws of declining soil productivity and Conservation Agriculture.
Soil carbon storage or sustainable conservation agriculture practices—Which should be our goal?

Cover Crop Adoption Trends: Insights from Five Years of U.S. Farm Surveys

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

New survey data shows how U.S. farmers are integrating cover crops to boost soil health.

NDSU Study Finds Livestock Grazing Pays Off in Cover Crop Systems

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Using crop residues for grazing and manure as fertilizer is a common practice, historically, but agriculture has shifted toward more specialized cropping and livestock systems. However, the two systems are finding their way back together again.

PCM Dives into Conservation Economics

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:39 -0400

Let’s kick things off with some new economic data from the Precision Conservation Management program in Illinois. They’re comparing all the field passes in no-till, strip-till and multi-pass systems to see which one gives farmers the most bang for their buck.

Many Iowa Farmers Stop Using No-Till, Cover Crops, Study Finds

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A new study from Iowa State University sheds light on the evolving landscape of agricultural conservation in Iowa.

National No-Tillage Conference Program Jam-Packed with Practical, Profit-Building Ideas

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Whether growers are just looking to tweak their no-till operation or planning for big changes, there will be something for nearly everyone at the 33^rd annual National No-Tillage Conference that kicks off in January. The full program has been released for the 2025 conference, which is scheduled for Jan. 7-10 in at the Marriott Downtown in Louisville, Ky.

Farmers Adopting Cover Crops Are More Likely to Adopt Other Conservation Practices

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Cover crops are driving smarter nutrient management and greater adoption of sustainable farming practices.

Balancing Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios Key to Dryland Cover Cropping

mpaukner@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Incorporating animals, diverse cropping rotation makes the most of limited rainfall in desert climate.

Ag Industry Veteran: Can It Happen Again?

Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

I started my farm equipment career during the Gerald Ford administration. Things were rockin’ during those 3 years (1975-78). Fresh out of college with a business degree, I went to work as a commissioned salesperson.

Global Fertilizer Markets Face Yet Another Challenging Year

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A new RaboResearch report reveals that global fertilizer prices are trending upward, resulting in reduced affordability and squeezing farmers’ purchasing power amid market instability and uncertainties.