Precision Is Key for Successful No-Till Farming

Farmer Chuck Fulk shares advice on the importance of seeding accuracy over other factors like fertilizer and machinery.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:23am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a carefully arranged composition of premium farming tools and equipment, including a precision seeding mechanism, fertilizer applicator, and soil sampling tools, all set against a clean, monochromatic background and dramatically lit to emphasize their craftsmanship and conceptually represent the importance of precision and attention to detail in no-till farming.Precision farming tools and equipment take center stage in this minimalist studio still life, underscoring the critical role of seeding accuracy in successful no-till operations.Platte City Today

Chuck Fulk, a Missouri farmer and owner of Fulk Agri Services, emphasizes the critical role of seeding precision in achieving a perfect stand, cautioning against blindly accepting advice from those with vested interests. He encourages farmers to ask why certain practices work and evaluate their own unique situations, rather than simply following research or industry trends.

Why it matters

Achieving optimal crop yields through no-till farming requires a nuanced understanding of the factors at play. Fulk's perspective challenges the conventional wisdom that factors like fertilizer and equipment are the most important, highlighting the often-overlooked significance of precise seeding for successful no-till operations.

The details

Fulk warns that some industry recommendations may be motivated more by sales than by the farmer's best interests. He advises being objective and asking why certain practices are effective, rather than just accepting research or popular opinion at face value. Fulk also cautions against the dangers of misleading research, recounting his experience attending a university trial that left him skeptical of the findings.

  • Fulk shared his insights in April 2026.

The players

Chuck Fulk

A farmer from Platte City, Missouri and the owner of Fulk Agri Services, a company that helps farmers understand their unique needs before recommending products or practices.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of times people are telling things that they consider to be important or not important, but their motive may be to sell you something. We need to be really careful about what we accept, because it may be of more benefit to the guy selling you things than what we'd get out of it.”

— Chuck Fulk, Farmer

“Too many people are followers. A lot of times we'll get locked into an idea and we won't be open to other alternatives. One of the things I've learned from some people that I've been around and learned a lot from is they always ask why.”

— Chuck Fulk, Farmer

The takeaway

Fulk's advice underscores the importance of critical thinking and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom in the pursuit of successful no-till farming. By focusing on seeding precision over other factors and evaluating recommendations through an objective lens, farmers can make more informed decisions that are tailored to their unique circumstances.