Blogs

Why insects resist: The underlying mechanisms of insecticide resistance

November 25, 2024

Here at the Pesticide Safety Education Program, we discuss pesticide resistance topics, such as rotating pesticide chemistries, utilizing thresholds, and using non-chemical control practices such as biological or cultural control. These topics are essential in preventing pest resistance issues, but...

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EPA releases Rodenticide Strategy, including final biological evaluation on the effects of 11 rodenticides on endangered species and associated mitigation

November 25, 2024

Pesticide News

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the final biological evaluation (BE), and associated response to comments, for 11 rodenticide active ingredients. The mitigation measures described in this final BE will also serve as the agency’s Rodenticide Strategy as outlined in EPA’s...

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Anhydrous ammonia tanks in snowy farm field

Nutrient November: What are the 4R's?

November 15, 2024

Field Notes

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...

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Pesticide application made to an aquatic area

Know this for a simplified registration and licensure process

November 11, 2024

Pesticide News

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. ...

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A green field with grain bins in the background.

Navigating Cash Rents in 2025: Insights and Best Practices, Part Two

October 25, 2024

Farm Focus

This is the second post of a two-part blog series exploring cash rents for 2025. Part One described what a cash rent agreement is, the different types of cash rent agreements, and the trends in cash rent rates across Illinois. This post will analyze the projections for farmer returns in 2025, how...

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EPA’s final herbicide strategy for ESA: What could change

October 19, 2024

Pesticide News

The following description has been endorsed by the Weed Science Society of America1: What is the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?The Endangered Species Act is a long-standing federal law, passed in 1973, requiring government agencies to ensure any actions they take do not jeopardize a...

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Navigating Cash Rents in 2025: Insights and Best Practices, Part One

October 18, 2024

Farm Focus

With the 2024 growing year coming to an end, producers and farm operators are beginning to focus on the 2025 growing year. Producers are making decisions on what seed varieties they will plant, how they will market their grain for 2025 and beyond, what fertilizers they will apply, and a myriad of...

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Cover crop spotlight: Cereal rye

October 10, 2024

Field Notes

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...

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DIY spray and aerosol products likely to fail in German cockroach control

October 7, 2024

Pesticide News

German cockroaches are one of the most problematic insect pests to manage. They typically infest apartment buildings and multifamily homes, which can provide refuges for the population to recover after treatments. Population recovery usually happens quickly as roaches can have up to 6 generations...

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Draft Insecticide Strategy released by EPA

October 4, 2024

Pesticide News

EPA release and described strategy On July 25, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) released its draft...

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