Blogs

When heavy rains result in ponded fields, the cause is poor drainage. Old field tiles in poor condition and/or undersized cannot efficiently remove excess water fast enough. When left unaddressed, the problem will worsen over time, resulting in compacted fields and lower yields.  Fixing the...

As the spray season is winding down for many Illinois pesticide applicators, the training and testing season has also slowed way down for the University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The month of September is the perfect time for us in...

The University of Illinois recently hosted the Youth Crop Scouting Competition at the Urbana-Champaign South Farm. Student teams of two to five high-school-aged youth with an adult coach rotated through 10 outdoor...

Farm drain tiles are vitally crucial to the success of Illinois crop production. These underground drainage systems help provide good soil-based crop growing conditions by removing excess water from the soil. A balanced mixture of air, water, and soil is crucial for plant health, as excessive...

As harvest approaches, many producers across Central Illinois are asking the same question: How’s the crop looking? Estimating corn and soybean yields before the combine rolls is more than just curiosity—it’s a valuable tool for planning, marketing, and managing risk. While yield estimates aren’t...

How well are you protecting your eyes while applying pesticides? Unprotected or inadequately protected eyes are at high risk of pesticide exposure, which can result in mild to severe irritation, eye injury, vision loss, or even permanent disability. Eye exposure also provides a route for the...

Whether moving grain to market, delivering fertilizer, or shipping food products nationally and internationally, freight railroads are essential to American agriculture. With tracks spanning coast to coast and everywhere in between, freight railroads are just one part of the complex transportation...

Competition for farmland is fierce. Many other farmers may want to work the same land you do, whether renting or buying. Farming is a highly competitive business. Being efficient in business is essential to successful farm operations. Prioritizing management activities that will increase...

Now is the time to get rid of any old or unwanted pesticides in your chemical storage area. The Illinois EPA one-day household hazardous waste collection schedule for this fall has been released to the public. Please note, all one-day collections require pre-registration. More information can be...