#Plant26 Highlights Young Strip Tiller, New No Till Drill & Relay Cropping
Why It Matters
The highlights underscore how emerging talent, equipment innovation, and relay cropping are reshaping planting efficiency and sustainability, offering growers measurable yield and environmental advantages.
Key Takeaways
- •12‑year‑old Jace operates a strip‑till rig in Nebraska.
- •Steve Groff unveils custom 4‑in‑row no‑till drill for hemp, flax.
- •Drill applies 400 lb down pressure, 17‑in vertical travel.
- •Jason Mock plants soybeans between standing wheat in Indiana.
- •Relay cropping gives 80‑day coexistence before wheat harvest.
Summary
The Plant26 video spotlights three cutting‑edge planting stories as the 2026 season kicks off. In southwestern Nebraska, 12‑year‑old Jace, with his dad’s guidance, runs a strip‑till rig for the first time, showcasing youth involvement in modern agriculture.
In Holt Wood, Pennsylvania, veteran farmer Steve Groff reveals a custom‑built no‑till drill designed for hemp and flax. The machine features four‑in‑row spacing, delivers 400 lb of down pressure per row, and offers 17‑inch vertical travel, positioning it for precise seed placement and soil health benefits.
Further north in Gaston, Indiana, Jason Mock demonstrates relay cropping by planting soybeans between standing wheat rows. He anticipates harvesting the wheat on June 25, giving the two crops roughly 80 days of coexistence, a strategy that maximizes land use and reduces field downtime.
These examples illustrate a broader shift toward diversified, technology‑driven practices: early‑career operators, specialized equipment for niche crops, and innovative cropping sequences that boost productivity while supporting sustainability.
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