Nebraska No-Tiller Boosts Yields with Precision Fertilizer

Mike Scholting shares how targeted nutrient management is driving higher corn production on his contest-winning acres.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:38am

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A high-end studio still life featuring a collection of farming tools, soil samples, and other precision agriculture equipment arranged in a clean, minimalist composition to represent the concept of data-driven nutrient management.Precision farming tools and soil samples symbolize the data-driven approach that has helped one Nebraska no-tiller boost corn yields to nearly 300 bushels per acre.Omaha Today

Mike Scholting, a no-till farmer just south of Omaha, Nebraska, has been able to achieve nearly 300-bushel corn yields on 33 acres of flat river-bottom ground by zeroing in on precision fertilizer applications.

Why it matters

As farmers face rising input costs and pressure to maximize yields, Scholting's success with targeted nutrient management provides a model for other growers looking to boost productivity on their most productive acres.

The details

Scholting, who farms in Sarpy County, has found that by carefully analyzing soil tests and fine-tuning his fertilizer program, he's been able to drive higher yields on his contest-winning ground without increasing overall input costs. His approach focuses on applying the right nutrients in the right amounts at the optimal times to meet the corn crop's evolving needs.

  • Scholting has been implementing his precision fertilizer program on his 33-acre contest plot for the past 5 years.

The players

Mike Scholting

A no-till farmer in Sarpy County, Nebraska who has achieved nearly 300-bushel corn yields on 33 acres of river-bottom ground through a focus on precision nutrient management.

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What they’re saying

“Zeroing in on fertilizer has been the key to unlocking higher yields on my most productive ground.”

— Mike Scholting, No-Till Farmer

What’s next

Scholting plans to continue refining his precision fertilizer program and share his findings with other growers in his local area and through industry publications.

The takeaway

Scholting's success demonstrates that targeted nutrient management can be an effective strategy for farmers looking to maximize yields and profitability on their most productive acres, even in the face of rising input costs.