Franklin, who used to farm conventionally, sold off some of his equipment and now uses only a tractor, combine, sprayer and no-till drill. Equipment and maintenance costs are also way down. He says his primary maintenance expense is an occasional repair on his combine. He hasn' t tilled his fields since 1985. In 1999 he experimented with a field of dwarf hybrid corn, planting it with his no-till drill and harvesting it with the grain header on his combine.
Fertilizer is applied according to soil tests taken every three to four years.
Franklin has experienced an increase in phosphorus and potassium in the top 6 to 8 inches of his soil, so he has switched from putting down fertilizer with his drill to broadcast applications. He doesn't fertilize his soybeans, and he uses three different mixes on milo and wheat. Cost Breakdown Franklin plants some early Group III soybeans in April and the rest between June 1 and 4. His 1999 crop included a field of Roundup Ready soybeans. I like the RR beans.