The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced that rulemaking related to an amendment to the Illinois Pesticide Act, enacted in 2023, is now open for public comment. This amendment focuses on regulating residential barrier mosquito treatments, beyond what exists for most other types of...
The University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program has released their upcoming clinic schedule with locations that span the state. Offerings will be similar to that of recent years although quite limited compared to when in-person was the only option. If you are interested in attending...
With lower grain prices, higher interest rates, and increased production costs, some farms are facing a challenging financial situation. According to the Federal Reserve, the number of individuals experiencing severe financial stress remains low, but the trend is moving upward. The hard news is...
Having a well-written farm lease is vital in today's farm rental marketplace. The purpose of this article is to provide tips to consider when constructing a cash farm lease in Illinois. Landowners and farmers can find farm lease templates online. Commonly used lease templates in Illinois are...
In December, the University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program will once again offer in-person training clinics. Offerings will be similar to that of recent years although quite limited compared to when in-person was the only option. Clinics can fill quickly so plan accordingly. ...
A flexible cash lease is an alternative to a straight cash lease. The flexible cash leash protects the farmer and landowner from economic loss. This type of lease can prevent a farmer from committing to a lease that requires a high guaranteed rent payment, allowing the landowner to have a higher...
As a result of an industry-led initiative, continuing education will soon be introduced as an optional method for the recertification of pesticide applicators and operators. This new pathway will allow applicators to utilize approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in lieu of retaking the...
Draining excess water from farm fields in Illinois is vital to food and renewable fuel production. However, the lack of adequate farm drainage is a serious problem. Many older farm drainage systems are still in place but are past their viable economic use value due to being obsolete, inefficient,...
As harvest concludes across Central Illinois, producers are focusing on storing their grain. For those in our region and throughout the Midwest, where corn and soybeans are the main crops, maintaining the grain's quality during winter is essential for protecting both quality and profitability....
Fertilizer is a critical input for crop production, supplying essential nutrients that boost yields and support global food security. In recent years, however, fertilizer markets have experienced significant volatility. From 2020 to 2022, U.S. fertilizer prices more than doubled due to increasing...
