Terminating a farm lease in Illinois
The following article is not to be construed as legal advice and is provided for educational purposes only. Information in this article comes in part from the State of Illinois Compiled Statutes (735 ILCS 5/9-206) (from Ch. 110, par. 9-206), which the reader can access online. Other...
Start selecting 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Sale bulls
URBANA, Ill. — Seedstock breeders should be identifying bulls they plan to consign to the 2026 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale. The IPT Bull Sale is the leadoff event for the annual Illinois Beef Expo in...
Drought is intensifying across Illinois
An extremely dry end to summer and start to fall has intensified the ongoing drought in central and southern Illinois and increased the fire and blowing dust risk as we approach harvest, according to Illinois State Climatologist...
Farm Drainage Series - Part 2: Why are there so many Ponded Farm Fields?
HAVANA, Ill. - When heavy rains result in ponded fields, the cause is poor drainage. Old field tiles in poor condition and/or undersized cannot efficiently remove excess water fast enough. When left unaddressed, the problem will worsen over time, resulting in compacted fields and lower yields....
Annie’s Project empowers local women in agriculture through education and networking
PEKIN, Ill. - The landscape of American agriculture is evolving, and at its heart is a growing wave of women stepping into leadership roles on the farm. According to the latest U.S. Ag Census, nearly 36% of the nation’s producers are now female, marking a significant shift in who is shaping the...
Farm drainage series – Part 1: The need for farm drainage and the current problem
HAVANA, Ill. - Farm drain tiles are vitally crucial to the success of Illinois crop production. These underground drainage systems help provide good soil-based crop growing conditions by removing excess water from the soil. A balanced mixture of air, water, and soil is crucial for plant health,...
Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ below average, scientists find
NOAA-supported scientists announced today that this year’s Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” — an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and marine life — is approximately 4,402 square miles, 21% smaller than estimates from early June...
Choosing a drone mapping platform for checking farm fields
HAVANA, Ill. - Farmers can map farm fields and check crop conditions with a farm drone. Mapping platforms are highly detailed and can record conditions throughout the growing season, which can be very useful in comparing years of growing conditions of the same field. A farmer can choose either a...
Crop dusting: Exploring aerial application safety by plane or drone
URBANA, Ill. — One of the trademarks of summer is the sight of planes and helicopters making gravity-defying turns as they make passes up and down cornfields. While this evokes awe and amazement, it also elicits curiosity as to what they are doing and why. Additionally, when serious or fatal...
Submit photos that capture resilient spirit of Illinois agriculture
URBANA, Ill. — Have a farm photo that brings a smile every time it is shared? Inspire others and create more smiles by having that photo be part of the 2026 Seasons of Strength calendar from North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance...
Getting ready for an agronomy service call
This article is for educational purposes and not to be considered legal advice.HAVANA, Ill. - How should a farmer prepare for an agronomy service call when there is a problem with the crop growing in the field? It could be a poor stand with low and varied emergent plants. There...
Illinois expert on keeping outdoor workers safe in excessive heat
URBANA, Ill. — Another round of excessive heat is on the way through much of the United States next week, with heat indices predicted to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more in many locations.Salah Issa, an expert...
Program highlights high tunnel operations and pest pressure management
SIMPSON, Ill. — High tunnels can extend growing seasons, increase crop diversity, achieve higher yields, and improve quality, but their enclosed space can lead to higher pest pressure compared to open field production. A recent program at Dixon...
Keep animals safe and healthy during excessive heat
URBANA, Ill. — Excessive heat will once again blast much of the United States next week, with heat indices predicted to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more in many locations. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign animal welfare expert...
Biologicals vs. biostimulants: Illinois study clarifies crop input confusion
URBANA, Ill. — Every time Fred Below and Connor Sible meet with Illinois farmers, they get the same question. “What’s the story with these biologicals? Do they work?”The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign crop scientists and...
