Blog Posts

An adult man wearing work pants, a coat and ball cap - walks through rows of soybeans looking off toward the right at the bright shining sun.
Read article: Getting Ready for an Agronomy Service Call
Getting Ready for an Agronomy Service Call
This article is for educational purposes and not to be considered legal advice.How should a farmer prepare for an agronomy service call when...
Two digit numbers followed by one decimal place and the letter 'k' are displayed in gold oval shapes and layered over a brown farm field grid.
Read article: Choosing a drone mapping platform for checking farm fields
Choosing a drone mapping platform for checking farm fields
Farmers can map farm fields and check crop conditions with a farm drone. Mapping platforms are highly detailed and can record conditions throughout...
Three animated poultry figures sit around a table with blank faces and coffee cups in front of them.
Read article: Farm Estate Planning Series
Farm Estate Planning Series
Quick Tips for Farm Estate PlanningStudies have shown that fewer than 20 percent of farm families have an effective estate plan to roadmap what...
A man's hands and foot are visible as he kneels and sifts through soil.  Chemical symbols like P-Phosphorus and K-Potassium are layered onto the soil image.
Read article: IRS provisions for excess fertility deductions on purchased farmland and ranchland
IRS provisions for excess fertility deductions on purchased farmland and ranchland
-This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice.Recent attention has been given to farmland and...

News Releases

farm equipment
Farm drainage case study shows adding or updating drain tile improves yield
HAVANA, Ill. - Central Illinois crop production began mid-1800s as settlers started draining the swampy prairie land. They were not able to grow crops due to excess water in the soils. As drainage tile installation methods improved, more and more land was drained. Over time, however, original...
picture of a field taken from a drone
How to prepare to field scout with your farm drone
HAVANA, Ill - Farm drones can be valuable in helping farmers keep an eye on their crops through the growing season. The farmer can carry out tasks efficiently and effectively with proper preparation. Here are some of the basic checks needed to make to ensure a safe and effective flight....
aerial view of a brown field
Farmland values showing mixed signals
HAVANA, Ill. - Farmland values began to soften in late 2024. With decreasing farm profits in 2023 and 2024, farmland values held firm until the last quarter of 2024. This was the consensus of professional farm managers at the 2025 Illinois Farmland Values and Lease Trends Conference held in...

Videos

Farm Management: Pre-plant Spraying

Before the seed goes in the ground, farmers spray the ground. For this particular filed the farm is using 28% nitrogen and a preplant herbicide. Thanks to technology, the farmer can utilize GPS and other onboard technology to better control the amount of spray being used.

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