The information in this blog post was submitted by Marty Williams, USDA-ARS  (217-244-5476; martin.williams@usda.gov). Severe sensitivity to a relatively new postemergence herbicide, tolpyralate (trade name Shieldex), has been documented in certain inbred lines of field corn and sweet corn....

Rain, rain, glorious rain!!!  We are happily finally getting some much-needed rain in quantities that actually can help us recover the depletion of soil moisture from over the first month of this year.  The nice part is that it really is not hampering any major field activities right now...

With climate change, many growers are concerned about plants receiving enough cold to be fruitful the next year. Endodormancy, a period of rest, is a term used when plant buds remain dormant due to some internal physiological block, even when external growing conditions are conducive to growth. A...

For many growers, January and February is the time to attend meetings and conferences to learn about the latest research information, production and marketing management practices, and to network with other growers. Many have already made seed orders for the coming season but may decide on a last-...

The Illinois State Horticulture Society sponsored its 34th Illinois Sweet Cider Contests and the 21st National Hard Cider Contest, held in conjunction with the From Food to Flowers Everything Local Conference on January 18th in Springfield, Illinois. Patrick Riofredo and Victor Rios of Curran’s...

The big question on everyone’s mind is whether the peach crop has been affected by the recent cold snap. Experience tells us -9°F is the benchmark temperature of concern for peaches, where there is an ever-increasing risk of bloom thinning and cambial damage as temperatures approach and drop past...

The active ingredient chlorothalonil (e.g. Bravo, Daconil) is undergoing the registration review process, and the public comment period is now open through January 17 for the EPA’s Chlorothalonil, Proposed Interim...

Just like growers who attend winter meetings to increase their knowledge and skills, Extension educators are continuously learning new or updated information to provide current, relevant research-based information to individuals, families, and groups that we serve. I recently attended the 2023...

Illinois producers and agribusiness leaders are increasingly seeking new opportunities to boost local food systems. Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) and the Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA) are excited to announce the return of the From Food to...

The cover crops, spring oats and crimson clover, seeded on October 4 in our “treatment” high tunnel have established very well. The spring oat crop is expected to winter kill and the crimson clover will continue to grow until termination in the spring. The outside temperature reached an overnight...