Infestations of the domestic turf pest, annual bluegrass weevil (ABW), Listronotus maculicollis, have officially been identified in Northern Illinois. Historically, this insect has been a pest in highly managed turf in Mid-Atlantic states and has recently been infesting new states...
Navigating the complexities of federal taxes can be challenging for farmers in Central Illinois. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 significantly changed federal taxes for individuals and estates. While many provisions of the TCJA were made...
As the spray season is winding down for many Illinois pesticide applicators, the training and testing season has also slowed way down for The University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA). The month of September is the perfect...
This is the second post in a blog series regarding the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and its impact on the federal government’s ability to enact regulations. Part one of this blog covers the background of Chevron deference and the...
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...
Agriculture policy is a complex area that can be difficult for many to understand. People often look at what Congress or Federal agencies do regarding agricultural production. However, we must not ignore the courts' essential role in policy-making. After all, the courts are responsible for...
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...
This blog post continues a series analyzing the local dust storms that have occurred across the area recently. Part one looked at the specific causes of wind erosion and dust storms and their impacts on agriculture. This second part examines practices that producers can implement on their...
Pesticides play an important role in managing pests, but they must be used responsibly and according to label directions so that they don’t endanger people, pets, livestock, plants, and the environment. While there is much work done to educate pesticide users about safety, and most applications are...
Every summer Extension Pesticide Safety Education Specialists are asked the same type of question repeatedly by home vegetable gardeners. The details leading up the situation at hand vary, but in the end the basic question is the same. Their vegetable plants have accidentally or mistakenly...
