Strip-till, a technology-driven farming practice that requires specialized equipment and knowledge, presents an opportunity for dealerships and their precision departments to establish authority and increase revenue.

Strip-till may still be in its infancy, but an increasing number of farmers are trying reduced-tillage practices. Data from the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture shows about 11% more farms used reduced tillage compared to the 2012 census, with nearly 97.8 million reduced tillage acres (excluding no-till) total in the U.S. 

The 2022 Strip-Till Benchmark Study, conducted by Strip-Till Farmer in March, asked farmers about their operations, precision technology usage, equipment and more. Most of the respondents to the 2022 Strip-Till Benchmark Study farm in the U.S. About 63% farm in the Corn Belt, followed by about 21% in the Plains/West. More than half of the respondents have been strip-tilling for 10 years or less (55%). About 44% of strip-tillers who took the 2022 survey are farming 1,000 acres or less. Another 28% farm 1,001-2,000 acres. 

Most strip-tillers who took the 2022 survey are using RTK guidance for strip-till. About 76% of respondents indicated RTK is their primary type of GPS correction signal, a slight increase from the 74.6% reporting using RTK in 2021. 

The most popular guidance brand among respondents is John Deere at 41.2%, followed by Trimble, Ag Leader and Case IH. More than 97% of this year’s survey respondents use at least one of these brands. Ag Leader saw the biggest jump in usage, increasing from 16.9% in 2020 to 22.6% in 2021. 

More than 76% of strip-tillers who responded to the 2022 Strip-Till Benchmark Study use RTK for guidance. The most popular guidance brand among respondents is John Deere, followed by Trimble, Ag Leader and Case IH. More than 97% of this year’s survey respondents use at least one of these brands.
Source: Strip-Till Farmer 9th Annual Strip-Till Practices Benchmark Study

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About 69% of strip-tillers do not use implement guidance, continuing an 8-year decline in usage. However, nearly 40% of this year’s survey respondents say they plan to buy implement guidance technology in the next year, a 4.5% increase compared to 2021 projections.

Variable-rate seeding (VRS) and variable-rate fertilizer application (VRA) technologies are higher on strip-tillers’ purchase wish lists. About 56% bought or planned to buy VRA products in 2022, and 50% bought or planned to buy VRS technology this year.

In 2021, 42.2% of strip-tillers used VRS for corn, while 52.2% did not. The remaining 5.6% didn’t use VRS for corn in 2021 but planned to in 2022. Approximately 34% of respondents said they used a variable rate when applying fertilizer with their strip-till rig in 2021, compared to about 28% in 2020. An additional 5% of strip-tillers plan to start using variable-rate application for fertilizer next year. 

*includes purchased or planned purchases for 2022

In 2022, about 27% of strip-tillers are going to buy planter attachments, 20% tractors, 15% combines and 15% corn planters, according to the 2022 Strip-Till Benchmark Study. The most common answer among the 28% of strip-tillers who answered “other” was that they weren’t planning to update or buy equipment in 2022.
Source: Strip-Till Farmer 9th Annual Strip-Till Practices Benchmark Study

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Other popular precision ag products and services planned for purchase in 2022 include ag data management service and support (33.7%), drones (18.4%), remote precision service and support (12.9%), and irrigation/pivot control systems (12.3%). 

Strip-tillers’ drone usage has held steady in popularity in the last 6 years. About 23% of strip-tillers used drones in their operation in 2021, which is the average percentage of use since 2016. 

Strip-tillers also planned to purchase or update other equipment in use on their operations in 2022. About 27% are going to buy planter attachments, 20% tractors, 15% combines and 15% corn planters. The most common answer among the 28% of strip-tillers who answered “other” was that they weren’t planning to update or buy equipment in 2022.