Illinois Farmer Improves No-Till Planting with John Deere 1890

Chapin farmer John Werries finds solutions for cover crop challenges and planting accuracy with equipment upgrades.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:10am

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An extreme close-up of the pebbled metal and woven mesh surfaces of a John Deere 1890 air seeder unit, conceptually illustrating the rugged, high-tech materials used in modern no-till farming equipment.Innovative equipment upgrades help a Chapin, Illinois farmer overcome no-till planting obstacles on his operation.Chapin Today

John Werries, a no-till farmer in Chapin, Illinois, has made adjustments to his John Deere 1890 air seeder setup to better handle cover crop overgrowth and improve planting accuracy on his operation that grows no-till soybeans and strip-till corn.

Why it matters

As more farmers adopt no-till and cover cropping practices, managing the challenges of heavy residue and ensuring precise seed placement is crucial for maximizing yields. Werries' experience highlights how equipment modifications can help overcome common no-till planting obstacles.

The details

Werries, along with his son Dean and one employee, have been tweaking their John Deere 1890 air seeder setup to better handle the thick cover crop growth on their fields and improve overall planting accuracy. This has involved adjustments to the implement guidance system as well as the air seeder itself.

  • Werries has been making annual adjustments to his no-till planting equipment for several years.

The players

John Werries

A no-till farmer in Chapin, Illinois who grows soybeans and strip-tills corn.

Dean Werries

John Werries' son who works on the family farm.

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The takeaway

Werries' experience demonstrates how innovative equipment modifications can help no-till farmers overcome common planting challenges like heavy cover crop residue and maintain accurate seed placement, which is crucial for maximizing yields in a no-till system.