No-Till Legend Shares Residue Management Tips at National Farm Machinery Show

Phil Needham offers advice on ensuring even residue spread for uniform crop emergence

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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At the 2026 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky, no-till innovator Phil Needham shared insights on residue management, emphasizing the importance of evenly spreading residue across the full width of the header to enable uniform crop emergence. Meanwhile, agronomist Brad Forkner showcased a new squid-based fertilizer product with multiple benefits, and Ducks Unlimited lands biologists discussed new grant programs focused on boosting conservation agriculture practices.

Why it matters

Proper residue management is crucial for no-till and strip-till farmers to ensure even crop establishment and growth. As equipment headers have become wider, ensuring the residue spreaders can keep up has become an increasing challenge. The new squid-based fertilizer and Ducks Unlimited conservation programs highlight innovative solutions to support sustainable farming practices.

The details

Needham advised that farmers need to find a chopper/spreader combination that can evenly distribute residue across the full width of their equipment headers, even if that means not using the widest possible header. Forkner introduced a new "Squid Juice" product that provides nitrogen, amino acids, and natural pest control benefits from the byproducts of the squid processing industry. Ducks Unlimited is offering grants to incentivize practices like multi-species cover crops, no-till, strip-till, and livestock integration to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.

  • The 2026 National Farm Machinery Show took place in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Needham's conversation with the grower about residue management occurred at the show.

The players

Phil Needham

A no-till innovator and expert who provided insights on residue management at the National Farm Machinery Show.

Brad Forkner

The owner of Nutrient Management Specialists, who showcased a new squid-based fertilizer product at the show.

Liam Bonk

A Ducks Unlimited working lands biologist who discussed the organization's new grant programs focused on conservation agriculture.

Devin Stortz

A Ducks Unlimited working lands biologist who shared how the organization's conservation efforts benefit water quality and wildlife habitat.

Joe Bassett

An employee of Dawn Equipment who shared a passionate video about the importance of preventing topsoil loss through proper farming practices.

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What they’re saying

“He said his residue management in the back spread 30 feet on average. So, he has a 40-foot head on the front spreading residue about 30 feet out of the back, and my guess is it wasn't uniform across the width. Generally, that's a problem.”

— Phil Needham, No-Till Innovator

“One of the newer things we're using this year would be the Squid Juice. Think about the calamari in your restaurant. 48% of the squid goes there, 52% of the squid is left. Again, because it was a live animal, it's got your omega oils in there. There was enough blood left in there, blood is protein, protein is nitrogen, so we've got a nitrogen component. We've got amino acids in there... We've got a fungi food, and we can have a natural insecticide, nematicide, fungicide. Because it is a faster release, now you can pair it with the ones already on the market. If you're starting to talk about the algae, guess where these boys eat? At the bottom of the ocean.”

— Brad Forkner, Owner, Nutrient Management Specialists

“One of the gateway programs for DU getting into this space in the Upper Midwest has been this Advancing Markets for Producers Partnership grant. We incentivize things like multi-species covers, no-till, strip-till, edge of field buffers and livestock integration – grazing cover crops. DU is involved in providing the technical assistance, guiding the producer through that program across the finish line.”

— Liam Bonk, Ducks Unlimited Working Lands Biologist

“We're rebuilding our wetlands for waterfowl and water quality at the bottom of these watersheds. These watersheds, specifically in state of Iowa, consist of predominantly ag ground. Cover crops being the number one practice that can benefit an ag producer, that's also going to benefit the water quality and wildlife habitat downstream.”

— Devin Stortz, Ducks Unlimited Working Lands Biologist

“Look at this insanity right here. Look at this ditch. That is your topsoil that is leaving the field and is ending up in your ditch because of your tillage practices. Who wants this? Who wants to farm this way? This topsoil took millions of years to be created. And this is how you want to farm?! It's turning me into a nihilist.”

— Joe Bassett (Dawn Equipment)

The takeaway

This coverage highlights the importance of proper residue management, innovative new products, and conservation-focused partnerships to support sustainable no-till and strip-till farming practices. Farmers must adapt their equipment and management to ensure even residue spread, while also exploring new tools and programs that can boost soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on their operations.