Articles by James DeGraff

Combatting Compaction with Cover Crops

A relentless 75-acre compaction problem gave Brownsburg, Ind., farmer Mike Starkey perspective on the sustainable, cost-effective advantages of a no-till, cover crop system.

By James DeGraff posted on May 15, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

During the summer of 2011, Brownsburg, Ind., corn, soybean and wheat no-tiller Mike Starkey agreed to host the John Deere Roll-Out new equipment event on his farm, leasing out a 75-acre corn plot at the entrance of his 2,600-acre operation.

Creating a Blanket of Benefits with Cover Crop Creativity

For Clare, Ill., grower Trent Sanderson, leaving his comfort zone and working with trial and error is the best way to determine which cover crop mixes work best in his fields.

By James DeGraff posted on October 7, 2018 | Posted in Seeding Practices

The greatest of growing seasons has little effect on Trent Sanderson’s approach to utilizing cover crops across his family’s 2,000-acre corn, soybean and wheat operation in Clare, Ill.

Conquering Stubborn Soils and Residue with a Switch to Strip-Till

Seeding and fertilizing experimentation enables Nebraska farmers to better manage residue, convert poor fields into pivotal performers.

By James DeGraff posted on January 13, 2018 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Conventional wisdom is overrated for Nickerson, Neb., farmers Kirk Brand and Brent Willnerd, especially when it comes to getting the most out of their 2,600-acre corn and soybean operation.

To Make Cover Crops Fit, A Little Space Makes a Big Difference

Through improvements to his implement guidance and air seeder setup, Chapin, Ill., farmer John Werries finds the cure for cover crop overgrowth and accuracy missteps.

By James DeGraff posted on November 18, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices

John Werries, his son Dean, and one employee are no strangers to making adjustments year-to-year to combat the unpredictable conditions of their Chapin, Ill., operation of no-tilled beans and strip-tilled corn.

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Ray McCormick’s Conservation Buffer

Earlier this week we paid another visit to this year’s Conservation Ag Operator Fellow, Ray McCormick in Vincennes, Ind., and one thing about Ray is that even when it’s the “off season,” he’s still thinking ahead for next season.

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