Matt Brincks’ Iowa farm is home to an eye-popping see-saw. In the past decade, his average yields have climbed 30 bu. in corn and 12 bu. in soybeans — all while his fertilizer use has dipped by half in nitrogen and two-thirds in phosphorus and potassium.

Marion Calmer says nutrient stratification in soil is a significant problem on his western Illinois farm — and it’s only getting worse. Here's what Calmer has learned after extensive soil testing and studying the soil profile — and what he's doing to address nutrient stratification. You might be surprised.

Iowa farmer Rick Rottinghaus is riding a swelling tide threatening to crash across the globe. The “electric” economy is ready to roll into town this decade as battery technology improves, renewable power generation expands and automakers buy in to a future powered by something other than gasoline and diesel.

“This is how we’ve always done it.” “You’ve got to turn the dirt black.” These are just two of the many excuses Nate Huntley hears about why farmers are skeptical about cover crops, trying new manure application or lowering carbon emissions.