Blog Posts

Wetland at the edge of a wooded area
Read article: Constructed wetland for water quality: Wetlands, NARPS, and advocacy
Constructed wetland for water quality: Wetlands, NARPS, and advocacy
In episode 72 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Mila Marshall of...
A black cutworm larva.
Read article: Black cutworm in corn: Identification, impact, and control strategies, part two
Black cutworm in corn: Identification, impact, and control strategies, part two
This post is the second of a two-part series on black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) and its impact on corn producers in Illinois. Part one discussed...
A black cutworm larva.
Read article: Black cutworm in corn: Identification, impact, and control strategies, part one
Black cutworm in corn: Identification, impact, and control strategies, part one
Corn is a cornerstone of agriculture in Illinois, playing a vital role in both the state's economy and the livelihoods of its farmers. As planting...
Cattails in a wetland
Read article: Constructed wetlands for water quality: Easement programs for agricultural conservation
Constructed wetlands for water quality: Easement programs for agricultural conservation
Both restored and constructed wetlands can play a big role in reducing nutrient loss. In ...

News Releases

Looking down the rows where a corn and soybean field edge meet
Corn after soy: New study quantifies rotation benefits and trade-offs
URBANA — While the majority of Midwestern farmers rotate corn and soybeans, commodity prices and corn yield advantages compel some to plant corn year after year. Although foundational research on the benefits of corn-soybean rotation goes back decades, University...
A presenter shares information on agriculture research at a field day presentation.
Local growers are invited to Agronomy Field Day at Ewing Demonstration Center
EWING, Ill. – Illinois Extension is excited to invite the public to their annual Agronomy Field Day at the Ewing Demonstration Center on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 9 a.m., with a free lunch to follow. The event will feature various educators and campus faculty as they provide best management...
a guy in a field of yellow brown eyes susans with a field of corn in the background
Farmer leads the way in environmental conservation efforts
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Commercial row-crop agriculture and environmental conservation are not mutually exclusive. While large-scale farming operations can sometimes have negative environmental impacts, many farmers are increasingly adopting sustainable practices that promote biodiversity and...

Videos

Farm Management: Planting Two Corn Varieties at the Same Time

Ride along with Kevin Brooks as he interviews the farmer as he plants two different varieties of corn at the same time. There are many factors that go into making that decision: weather, insect, production, yield.

Connect with Kevin Brooks, Illinois Extension Farm Business Management and...

Staff

Profile image coming soon

John Jones

Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Soil Fertility Extension Specialist