No-Till Farmer
Not Your Grandfather’s No-Tiller: Rethinking the Farm of the Future
"From alternatives to investing in new farm equipment to embracing data-driven economic decision-making, the next generation of no-tiller will need to be tech and business savvy.
Brand and farm equipment dealership loyalty can often be generational traits, handed down sometimes for decades.
But as no-tillers know, tradition doesn’t always translate to prosperity. And just because something has been done one way for years, doesn’t mean it should be done the same way in the future..."
Jan. 4, 2021
The Progressive Farmer
Tools Apply Inputs With Precision
Bob and Monte Bottens, Cambridge, IL, use a year-round fertility program that includes periodically pinpointing specific nutrient needs for 1,850 acres of no-till corn and soybeans. Monte also is a crop consultant.
"We apply nutrients only at the time of need with what is needed. We do not fall apply," he says. "We take an integrated approach with in-row started and banded nitrogen at planting followed by sidedress applications."
Jan 31, 2013
No-Till Farmer
Looking at No-Till Corn Production in a Totally New Way with 60-Inch Rows
By Frank Lessiter
"Around 10 years ago, a National No-Tillage Conference speaker shared data from a South Africa research project where corn had been grown in 60-inch rows. When he pointed out that these wide rows allowed elephants to walk through the fields, farmers in the audience laughed.
Today, the idea of no-tilling corn in 60-inch rows here in the states may no longer be a laughing matter. After all, we used to plant corn in 40-inch widths so a horse pulling a cultivator could walk between the rows.
While many no-tillers continue to reduce the width of their corn rows from 30s down to even as narrow as 12 inches, a few no-tillers are moving in the opposite direction..."
Oct. 24, 2018
No-Till Farmer
Get to the Roots to Maximize Corn Yields
By Laura Barrera
"Do you know the type of roots your corn is growing? The answer can affect your corn’s water and nutrient uptake, nutrient placement, corn population and row spacing.
Monte Bottens, farmer and CEO of ANP Inc. in Moline, Ill., told attendees at the 2016 National No-Tillage Conference about the different types of corn root structures, how to identify your corn’s root types and how to adjust your management for better roots..."
Jan 31, 2013
The Progressive Farmer
Tools Apply Inputs With Precision
Bob and Monte Bottens, Cambridge, IL, use a year-round fertility program that includes periodically pinpointing specific nutrient needs for 1,850 acres of no-till corn and soybeans. Monte also is a crop consultant.
"We apply nutrients only at the time of need with what is needed. We do not fall apply," he says. "We take an integrated approach with in-row started and banded nitrogen at planting followed by sidedress applications."
Jan 31, 2013
No-Till Farmer
Protecting Yields, Safegaurding the Environment
When they tried applying nitrogen with their planter, Cambridge, Ill., no-tiller Bob Bottens and his son, Monte, secretly hoped for poor results so they wouldn’t have to add extra hassle at planting. But they weren’t that lucky.
“The field we applied nitrogen to with the planter yielded far better than the fields that got anhydrous the previous fall,” Bottens says. “The next year, we dropped anhydrous and banded all of our nitrogen in 3-by-3-inch placement with the planter.”
Apr 1, 2012
No-Till Farmer
Father-Son Team Aims To Thrive, Not Survive
Monte: ‘Moonlight Farmer’ was my dad’s radio handle at the Case IH dealership in Cambridge, Ill., where he worked as a diesel mechanic.
He farmed about 80 acres when he wasn't at his day job.
Gradually, he progressed in both his careers, partnering into ownership of a dealership and bumping his farm to 640 acres
Once I graduated college, I also worked for the dealership, serving as manager of one of three locations. When Dad sold the dealership in 1999, we both started farming full time.
Mar 12, 2012