Events

Blog Posts

Man with clipboard in cornfield
Read article: USDA rescinds federal restricted use pesticide recordkeeping requirement for private applicators
USDA rescinds federal restricted use pesticide recordkeeping requirement for private applicators
The USDA recently rescinded a rule that required all private applicators (those who apply pesticides to their own land) to keep records of their...
hands typing on a laptop
Read article: Taking a pesticide exam online soon? See these new equipment requirements first
Taking a pesticide exam online soon? See these new equipment requirements first
Illinois pesticide applicators and operators, if you have previously taken an Illinois Department of Agriculture online exam, you may already be...
Phytobac system
Read article: Phytobac™ breaks down spray tank residues
Phytobac™ breaks down spray tank residues
Private applicators have a novel way to handle spray tank residues when cleaning agricultural machinery and spraying equipment that was presented at...
tractor sprayer spraying a fine mist in the field
Read article: Understanding the EPA’s final herbicide strategy: Key components
Understanding the EPA’s final herbicide strategy: Key components
In August 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new herbicide strategy aimed at better aligning with the Endangered Species...

News Releases

A tree hedgerow growing tall and over crops in a farm field
Getting dust to settle, stay on Illinois farmland
URBANA, Ill. — As another large dust storm impacted Illinois in May, the conversation and questions continue about why and how to get the dust to settle and stay in the field rather than across roadways....
A large agriculture-related dust cloud over a farm field
Dust storms in Illinois: Identifying farm solutions
URBANA, Ill. — Dust storms have become an increasing concern in Illinois, prompting investigations into their causes and potential solutions. These weather events have resulted in fatalities, including a 2023 traffic accident that took the lives of eight...
A tractor pulling equipment tilling across a farm field causing dust
Dust storms in Illinois: Examining roles of weather and farming practices
URBANA, Ill. — Recent dust storms in Illinois have raised the question of the cause of these events. In the last few years, these dust events have caused fatal accidents among traveling motorists. Another public concern is the drop in air quality during these storms.Some of the emerging...
What to know about avian flu in wild birds, poultry, and pets in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. — The nationwide spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, also known as avian or bird flu, has many in Illinois concerned about livestock, pets, wildlife, food safety, and public health.HPAI is an extremely contagious and frequently deadly respiratory disease for...

Videos

Safe Animal Handling in Beef Cattle

 

Safe animal handling is critical for ensuring safety of both handlers and the animals. In this episode of Grazing Planners Speak, Travis Meeter (University of Illinois Extension) provides an overview of cattle behavior and how to ensure safe animal handling as a grazing planner....

Farm Safety and Power Line Awareness

It was Cody Conrady’s next-to-last day as an assistant manager for an ag fertilizer company. They were shorthanded that day, so Cody jumped in his truck to get ahead of the sprayer. Once the sprayer was in place, he hopped out of the truck to fill the tank with fertilizer. He and his coworker...

Staff