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Maximizing cover crop benefits through proper management

September 9, 2026

Crop producers in central Illinois have a wide range of management decisions to make throughout the year. This leads to a series of often difficult decisions to make before, during, and after the growing season. What type of tillage is needed? How much fertilizer should be applied? When is the...

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A farm with buildings surrounded by crop fields.

Tracking farmland and farm real estate values in Illinois

August 26, 2026

Farmland is often the largest asset on a farm's balance sheet, making changes in land values important to farmers, landowners, lenders, and rural communities. Land values can affect farm wealth, borrowing capacity, rental negotiations, estate planning decisions, and the cost of expanding an...

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Using corn plants to make better fertilizer decisions

July 31, 2026

Illinois grain producers face a series of difficult and complex decisions each growing season. All these decisions can have a major impact on yields and overall profitability of the operation. These decisions can range from what variety to plant, when to plant, and what inputs to apply during the...

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Understanding corn yield loss from wet conditions and storm damage

June 12, 2026

Of all the risks that crop producers in central Illinois contend with during the growing season, weather is often the most unpredictable and costly. Whether it be heavy rains in the spring or intense summer storms, weather can be the difference between a successful and lackluster crop. After these...

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The flags of Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The USMCA review and its impact on central Illinois agriculture

May 29, 2026

In two previous blog posts, I discussed the importance of international trade for agricultural producers in central Illinois and across the United States, particularly how tariffs impact international trade. International trade agreements can take many forms, with one of...

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A blue tractor with a red implement in a field.

Risk management patterns across the United States

April 27, 2026

Whether we know it or not, we take risks daily, sometimes even multiple times a day. Think about it; have you ever weighed the consequences of snoozing your alarm and getting those precious five extra minutes of sleep? What about taking a shortcut to work that you have not fully planned out? While...

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A field with a barn and blue skies in the background.

Land values and cash rents in central Illinois

April 10, 2026

Agriculture is an ever-changing endeavor. Whether it's fluctuating commodity markets, changes in input prices, or uncertainties in government regulation, nothing in agriculture is ever static. This is especially true for land and land values. Land is one of the most important resources for...

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A field with cover crops growing in crop stubble.

Evaluating trends in USDA conservation program adoption and effectiveness

March 27, 2026

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is one of the largest federal government agencies that employs thousands of employees and oversees countless areas of federal agricultural policy. From crop insurance to commodity support programs, to research at universities, and much more, the...

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A tractor pulling anhydrous tanks across a field.

Tips and resources for safe applications of anhydrous ammonia in central Illinois

March 13, 2026

Spring planting is right around the corner here in central Illinois. As the weather warms up, more producers are beginning to prepare their equipment to get into the field at the right time. While getting the seeds in the ground at the right time is important this time of year, equally important is...

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Analyzing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

March 6, 2026

While federal agricultural policy can come in many different forms, the Farm Bill is the arguably the most important. Typically passed and enacted every five years, a Farm Bill sets out the funding for various programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), including...

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