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Chebanse Today
By the People, for the People
Farmers Weigh Strip-Till Investments at Fall Farm Shows
Declining crowds and lower crop prices mean tough decisions for no-till equipment buyers.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:19am
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The high price tag on specialized no-till equipment like strip-till units is causing some farmers to hesitate on investing, even as they seek ways to improve their sustainable farming practices.Chebanse TodayWith fall harvest running several weeks ahead of normal across the Corn Belt, crowds were down at major farm shows this year. As farmers face economic pressures, many are hesitant to invest in new no-till equipment like strip-till units that can cost $40,000 or more. Some farmers who have tried no-till renovators in the past have been disappointed with the results, leading them to consider returning to fall tillage, though experts caution against abandoning no-till too quickly.
Why it matters
No-till farming has become an important sustainability practice, but the upfront costs of specialized equipment can be a barrier for some farmers, especially during times of low crop prices and economic uncertainty. Understanding how farmers are evaluating new no-till technologies at farm shows is crucial for equipment manufacturers and dealers to better serve this market.
The details
Brothers Larry and Ron Lukow from Chebanse, Illinois were checking out strip-till units at the Farm Progress Show in Windfall, Indiana. They noted the high $40,000 price tag on many models, making it a big investment to try the technology on their farm without any local demonstration units to test it first. The Lukows had previously invested $28,000 in an AerWay renovator to improve water infiltration on their no-tilled fields, but actually saw a 2-bushel per acre yield decrease in their own trial. This has made them hesitant to jump into new no-till equipment without more proof of the benefits.
- Fall harvest was running several weeks ahead of normal across the Corn Belt in 2026.
- The Farm Progress Show took place in late September 2026 in Windfall, Indiana.
The players
Larry Lukow
A farmer from Chebanse, Illinois who was evaluating strip-till equipment at the Farm Progress Show.
Ron Lukow
Larry's brother and fellow farmer from Chebanse, Illinois who was also evaluating strip-till equipment at the Farm Progress Show.
Terry Metzger
A farmer mentioned in the article, though no additional details about him are provided.
What they’re saying
“'Many units carry a $40,000 price tag and that's a lot of money to spend to see if the concept will work for us.'”
— Ron Lukow, Farmer
“'People who try no-till and find problems are too quick to conclude fall tillage is the answer.'”
— Larry Lukow, Farmer
The takeaway
As farmers face economic pressures, the high upfront costs of specialized no-till equipment like strip-till units are causing many to hesitate on investing, even as they seek ways to improve their no-till practices. Equipment manufacturers and dealers will need to find ways to demonstrate the long-term benefits and provide more accessible options to help no-till farming continue to grow as a sustainable agriculture practice.