Blade Size for No-till Openers
Bigger isn’t always better. At least not for opener blades cutting mulch (and soil) in no-till.Too many OEMs want to use 20 – 24” opener… Read More »Blade Size for No-till Openers
Bigger isn’t always better. At least not for opener blades cutting mulch (and soil) in no-till.Too many OEMs want to use 20 – 24” opener… Read More »Blade Size for No-till Openers
Case studies of some top-notch no-tillers (there are many). The Oklahoma/Texas Panhandle is an exceptionally harsh environment for growing dryland crops, and despite being plenty… Read More »Profile of Success: Scott Arthaud, Keyes, OK
We’re starting something a little different with this newsletter series, aiming to give you some things to think about by providing case studies of some… Read More »Profile of Success: Craig & Gene Stehly, Mitchell, SD
by Matt Hagny, freelance agronomic consultant for no-till since ’94; founder & president of Exapta Solutions since ’99. Several companies offer a fertilizer opener that… Read More »Side-band Fertilizer Openers
by Matt Hagny, freelance agronomic consultant for no-till since ’94; founder & president of Exapta Solutions since ’99. Some no-tillers who grow a fair number… Read More »Shelbournes: The Value of Tall Stubble
I sometimes am called upon to do the impossible: Make a poorly designed planter or drill work well in no-till. And I then have to convey
An article this past summer (2017) in Corn & Soybean Digest raises this question, and sets forth the reasons that its inventor, John Baker, claims it is. To a large extent, it regurgitates a propaganda barrage from Baker’s PowerPoint presentation without any skepticism or counterpoint. Many of Baker’s claims are preposterous, and his views warped from reality.
For most of the readership in North America, it’s not too late to establish cereal rye (or triticale). Cereal rye ahead of soybeans is almost a no-brainer. Except in the driest
For the winter wheat (or cereal rye) you may be about to plant, will it have enough nutrients for what it needs to do this fall? Lack of N and other nutrients will
These are notorious for dust getting inside, not taking grease, and then seizing up entirely. While the update that Deere did with making a flat… Read More »Depth-adjustment shaft seizing on JD 60/90 drills?
Content of this page is copyright 2005-2025 Exapta Solutions, Inc. (reprint with written permission only).
Thompson wheel covered by U.S. Patent No. 6,907,833. Liquid delivery feature of Valion seed tube guards is U.S. Patent No. 8,978,564. Ninja seed bounce flap U.S. Patent Pending. UniForce U.S. Patent Pending. All rights reserved on other designs. Exapta is a registered trademark of Exapta Solutions, Inc. Keeton is a registered trademark of Precision Planting. Mojo Wire, Thompson wheel, Valion guard, Ninja flap, UniForce, DuraLok, No-till Seeding Explained, and No-till Seeding School are trademarks of Exapta. Disclaimer: Recommendations & page content are current, accurate, and believed to be broadly applicable as of the time of writing (Dec 2005) and last update (2005 – 2014). Because of diversity of soils, climate, crops, planter & drill models/designs marketed worldwide, combinations of attachments, etc., actual results may vary. No warranty is made as to actual results obtained. Should you encounter exceptions or worthwhile annotations to the statements made on this page, please contact us.
Derek is Kansas native who grew up in a 100% no-till farming operation. From an early age the benefits of no-till were made known to Derek by his father and by attending no-till conferences. From there he furthered his passion for soils while at Kansas State University getting his agronomy degree. He has had the experience of working in various roles and sectors of agriculture from sales and consulting to management, which have all been within production agriculture. Derek has also worked in specialty ag markets such as turf and ornamentals.
Sales & Service Representative
Prior to joining Exapta, Bob Pagel was an Agricultural Territory Sales Manager for Ritchie Brothers, serving parts of MN, WI and IA. He continues to support his family farm in SE Minnesota.
Current Product Engineer
Jonathan Zeller joined Exapta excited to return to working with no-till planting equipment. He supported research of no-till planting and other ag related projects for 7 years with Kansas State University’s Agricultural Engineering Department after getting his engineering degree. He later worked 3 years for Landoll Company, LLC. where he gained experience in a design engineering role. Jonathan grew up on a small family farm in NE Kansas working with row crops, hay and cattle. Jonathan enjoys solving engineering problems and improving or creating products to be robust and easy to install and service.