In many areas of the eastern half of ND spring strip till ahead of the planter provides that warmer black soil you are looking for. From your location it sounds like you are near Fessenden. There are some well known producers in that area using spring coulter-only strip till successfully for several years. This system also works well for edible beans strip tilled between last years cornstalks.

In western ND no till is the preferred system for corn and flowers in most areas. While they may both be in ND raising corn in the RRV has about as much in common with growing corn west of the MO river as growing corn on the moon (almost!).

Central ND is the transition area. Strip till adds some consistency to the ups and downs of both no till and full tillage.

Jim at Dawn