Blog Posts

Large clouds and thick dust limits the visibility of a road going between two farm fields.
Read article: Dust storms in Illinois: Identifying farm solultions
Dust storms in Illinois: Identifying farm solultions
This is article two from a two-part series.Dust storms have become an increasing concern in Illinois, prompting investigations into their causes and...
A large corn planter works in a field with blue sky and a road visible in the background.
Read article: Dust storms in Illinois: Examining roles of weather and farming practices
Dust storms in Illinois: Examining roles of weather and farming practices
This is article one from a two-part series.Recent dust storms in Illinois have raised the question of the cause of these events. In the last few...
Sunshine peeks through large clouds over thick dust, which shrouds a country road running between two farm fields.
Read article: Getting dust to settle, stay on Illinois farmland
Getting dust to settle, stay on Illinois farmland
As another large dust storm impacted Illinois in May, the conversation and questions continue about why and how to get the dust to settle...
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The USDA recently rescinded a rule that required all private applicators (those who apply pesticides to their own land) to keep records of their...

News Releases

Collage featuring youth waving at a truck from the street, a group of 4-H members holding a sign that reads thank you farmers in front of a grain elevator, and a top down shot of some backed goods with a sticker that reads 'Your Work Matters Thank You'
With Harvest 2025 underway, local youth say thanks
MORRIS, Ill. – With the 2025 harvest well underway, local youth spent their school holiday showing appreciation for the farmers who keep their communities thriving. Members of University of Illinois Extension 4-H,...
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...

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