Defending the Land Blog

As with the game of horseshoes, when it comes to zone-tillage, close just isn’t close enough. Because only a portion of the soil is tilled, it’s vital to be on the mark to take advantage of nutrients, soil temperatures and a properly prepared seed bed.

There’s just something about the soil. Many of us are drawn to it. Judging by history, so were our ancestors. Farm tillage traces a path that mirrors the development of civilization. Cultures often developed around their ability to collectively produce food. Because food is one of our most basic...

Jason Reis’s advice to the Environmental Tillage Systems (ETS) engineers was simple: “Don’t screw it up.” This past spring Reis, who farms near Lime Springs, Iowa, was among the first farmers to test ETS prototype rolling baskets mounted on the back of his SoilWarrior. Rolling baskets are sturdy...

Billions of dollars are spent each year by people trying to get healthier. From gym memberships and personal trainers to vitamins and supplements, we work hard and spend a lot to build a foundation for health. Farmers do the same things. Whether its fertilizer applications or tillage techniques,...

Many farmers are accustomed to doing deep, horizontal, full surface tillage. But with an increasing number of growers researching strip-till, many are asking themselves what type of tillage system is best for their soil. The great news is ETS manufactures SoilWarrior row units that provide tillage...

This myth-busting article originally appeared in the spring issue of Soybean Business, a publication of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. It is re-published online with permission. Photos and captions added by ETS. Farmers are always on the lookout for ways to increase profitability while...

Two years ago, Vollmershausen Farms Ltd., switched from full surface tillage to zone till because of their desire to focus on soil health. So far they have found the combination of reduced tillage and cover crops has yielded more than just healthier soils. Tyler Vollmershausen is the sixth...

If you fish, you know that the margin between a full livewell and an empty stringer can be pretty thin. The technology we use with the SoilWarrior ensures that we can put you and your nutrients in the exact right place to be productive and most fully benefit your crops. By working with some of...

We’ve all heard the saying “work smarter, not harder.” It may be an overused line in the business world, but it does apply to many farming operations where it would be difficult to work much harder. After all, there are a limited number of hands available and only so many hours in the day. But with...