University of Illinois Planting Date Trials. Along with numerous other biotic and abiotic factors, environmental conditions such as soil water availability and air temperature drive the growth and development of field crops. Each year, under the direction of Dr. Emerson Nafziger,...

Symptoms. When walking through several of the earlier planted soybean fields at the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center trifoliate leaflets appeared to be missing significant sections of leaf tissue (Figure). Upon closer inspection...

Lower grain prices are narrowing margins for crop producers this year and are projected to continue into the future. This economic climate will be pose many economic and management challenges for crop producers. Agricultural Economists from Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture...

Temperature and precipitation data listed below were collected at the Monmouth weather station located a little more than 4 miles from the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center (NWIARDC), while soil temperature and moisture probes are located at the NWIARDC. ...

Why the recent interest in cover crops? During the past several years, there has been a growing buzz about cover crops. Whether this was because producers were interested in experimenting with ways to reduce soil and nutrient loss, they were able to shoulder more risk(s) because of...

Note: click on photo to enlarge or see caption. A University of Illinois project funded by the Nutrient Research and Education Council through fertilizer check-off funds is looking to update grain removal rates of N, P and K. This project, undertaken by state Cropping...

Strategy for Japanese beetle traps: Detection then removal. Late each May, I place a red insecticide strip and a pheromone lure into a specially designed Japanese beetle trap that resembles a colorful torpedo or bomb (Figure). The lure works to attract Japanese...

In my travels throughout the region, one person after another talks about how they heard that the soil had frozen more than 5 feet this winter. To find out how accurate these rumors were, I began speaking to people that may have more than rumors: DATA. As part of the Illinois...

What business couldn't use a financial "check up"? Register and attend this hour long seminar on Tuesday, December 16 at 9 A.M. to learn about ways to gauge and better your financial assets. According to New Jersey Extension Agricultural and Resource Management Agent Jenny Carleo, "This webinar...

Note: click on photo to enlarge or see caption. Crop maturity. As corn plants require heat in order to grow and develop, the...

University of Illinois Extension has released a new smartphone app to assist applicators with many of the calculations that are used when setting up and calibrating a sprayer. Pesticide Spray Calculator, or "Spray Calc", was developed by...

Registration is now open for the 2014 Women in Agriculture Conference on March 21 in Rock Island, IL. University of Illinois Extension co-sponsors this event which focuses on bringing useful information to women that farm.Along with a general session, conference attendees select among breakout...

Tracking migrating insects. Some important corn pests such as black cutworms, armyworms and corn earworms survive the winter in more southerly regions, migrating northward each spring with the aid of weather systems. Each year, members of the University of Illinois Extension...

According to the USDA, net farm income is expected to decline by 26.6 percent in 2014. This will put net income at its lowest level since 2010. Given these projections, farm operators will be looking for ways to trim expenses in the coming year(s). Five-part series: Controlling Costs with...

On rainy days this time of the year thoughts center around how quickly the rain will end and grain dry, how quickly soil will dry enough to be fit for harvest to get back into full swing. Other thoughts might be on grain drying, marketing and storage. It may be time well spent to check out "...

The challenge. Now that soil temperatures have begun warming, in many fields weed seed germination and plant establishment has begun. Herbicide resistant weeds are complicating weed management throughout the Midwest. Throughout the past 40 years, more than 140 unique cases of...

Planting Operations are Underway. Now that soil temperatures have become more favorable for seed germination, Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center (NWIARDC) Research Agronomist Brian Mansfield and Research Specialist Marty Johnson have been hard at...

Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center Superintendent and Research Agronomist, Brian Mansfield, recently started a Facebook page.He plans to use this page to post pictures and updates of the farm throughout the growing season.To access this page, visit the...

Temperature, snowfall and precipitation data listed below were collected at a weather station located a little more than 4 miles from the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center (NWIARDC), while soil temperature probes are located at the NWIARDC. Air...

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Tom Vilsack released key information on the USDA website today regarding the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage crop insurance programs in the...