With harvest wrapped up across most of Illinois, many growers are starting to consider fall nitrogen fertilizer applications. Fall applied nitrogen is fairly common throughout Illinois as ammonia is typically cheaper in the fall and there is less of a time crunch than spring applied N, but...
Harvest is well underway across the state, with record yields projected for both corn and soybean. Many farmers are also gearing up to plant their winter cover crops. In recent...
Choosing the right cover crop can be a daunting task, whether it is the first time you’re planting a cover crop or you're deciding to switch to something new. With countless options and complex factors to consider, it can be difficult to determine which is the best cover crop for your...
In recent years, cover crops have gained popularity as a sustainable agricultural practice that farmers can implement to improve the health and functioning of their soils. Cover crops are not a new concept, though. They used to be a normal part of our agricultural systems. It is...
Driving through the country this time of year, you’re likely to see two things: corn and soybeans. In 2023, 11.2 million acres of land in Illinois were planted in corn and nearly 10.4 million acres in soybeans. These two crops make up the vast majority of our agricultural production in...
Pesticides are essential for commercial growers to control weeds, insects, and disease, and are an integral part of an integrated weed management (IWM)...
The growing season is underway at the University of Illinois Extension + Illinois Valley Community College Agriculture Research and Demonstration plots. On the IVCC side, plots were planted with multiple varieties of corn and soybeans donated by Channel Seed. These plots will be used to...
Edge-of-field practices are often lumped under the regenerative agriculture umbrella, but these practices tend to have different goals than those typically associated with regenerative systems. Most regenerative agricultural practices focus on building and maintaining soils, with enhancing...
June 20th is officially the first day of summer and with it comes the start of farmers market season. Farmers markets are a great opportunity to buy fresh, in-season produce and directly support local farms. Farmers markets help build community, support the local economy, strengthen our...
Regenerative agriculture may just sound like a new buzz word in the sustainable production space, but what does this term actually mean and why should it matter to Illinois farmers? Regenerative agriculture is an umbrella term used to describe the on-farm use of a wide range of sustainable...
