The Farm Bill is a cornerstone of U.S. agricultural policy, shaping the landscape of farming and rural life for nearly a century. With the end of the 118th Congress fast approaching and discussions of a Farm Bill continuing, it's essential to understand the historical context that has led to its...
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...
Are you preparing to take your Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) pesticide licensing exams? If so, you should check to see if you have the most recent editions of the study publications. The University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) recently revised several manuals...
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...
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...
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...
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. ...
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...
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...
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...
