The 10 acre University of Illinois Extension and IVCC Ag research and demonstration plot was planted to soybean in 2020. Research and demonstration projects include planting population rates and treated vs. untreated soybean seed.  Another component included tillage, evaluating no-till against a one pass vertical-till operation. Daryle Wragge, Extension Agriculture Program Coordinator shared, “our seed this year was graciously donated by Lukach Pioneer.  The Research and Demonstration plot is a partnership project between the University of Illinois Extension, the Illinois Valley Community College Agricultural Department (Willard Mott and Kathryn Seebruck), and Mr. Luke Holly, IVCC farming tenant. Again in 2020, weather factored in the delayed fieldwork and planting. Case IH provided a new variable tillage tool and an experimental 12 row 30 inch planter to assist in the research project. The Agricultural Equipment Company is also doing extensive research within the plot in the way of mechanical design of seed placement. All of this research will be monitored throughout the growing season by University of Illinois Extension and Case IH Engineering. Mr. Russ Higgins, University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator, and Daryle Wragge, Extension Agriculture Program Coordinator, hope to have some very valuable information as well as guidelines to assist our area producers. A field day is planned for late summer to highlight findings.

University of Illinois Extension offices are located in Princeton, Ottawa, Henry, and Oglesby on the IVCC campus. For more information call 815-224-0889. The Mission of University of Illinois Extension is to provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. 

Source: Daryle Wragge, Program Coordinator, Ag and Natural Resources