Blogs

Sunshine peeks through large clouds over thick dust, which shrouds a country road running between two farm fields.

Getting dust to settle, stay on Illinois farmland

As another large dust storm impacted Illinois in May, the conversation and questions continue about why and how to get the dust to settle and stay in the field rather than across roadways. Although it is not a new environmental event, the dangers are always present, and questions arise....
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Pheasant sitting on fence in farm field

Fencerows: A lost practice worth reviving?

Looking out across Central Illinois you will see open fields stretching for miles with few breaks in between fields.  It may even be difficult to tell where one field ends and another begins.  This is not what farmland in Illinois always looked like, though.  Our agricultural...
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Elm zigzag sawfly larva

Illinois Invasive: Elm Zigzag Sawfly

The elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) is an invasive pest of elm trees (Ulmus spp.) that was first detected in Illinois in July 2024 in Busse Woods, Cook County. Native to parts of China and Japan, this species became established in Europe in 2003 and was first detected in the United...
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Aerial view of various farm fields with road running diagonally inbetween.

Farmland Values Showing Mixed Signals

Farmland values began to soften in late 2024. With decreasing farm profits in 2023 and 2024, farmland values held firm until the last quarter of 2024. This was the consensus of professional farm managers at the 2025 Illinois Farmland Values and Lease Trends Conference held in March, which The...
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Beautiful native wildflowers bloom in the foreground, and a family farm with mature trees are visible in the background.

Understanding Illinois Farmland Property Taxes

Understanding Illinois property tax calculations is complex and confusing. Properties such as personal residences are taxed based on fair market valueThe State of Illinois assesses farmland based on the agricultural use value rather than the farm market value. Based on farm income...
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College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Email: extension@illinois.edu

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