According to the USDA, net farm income is expected to decline by 26.6 percent in 2014. This will put net income at its lowest level since 2010. Given these projections, farm operators will be looking for ways to trim expenses in the coming year(s). Five-part series: Controlling Costs with...

On rainy days this time of the year thoughts center around how quickly the rain will end and grain dry, how quickly soil will dry enough to be fit for harvest to get back into full swing. Other thoughts might be on grain drying, marketing and storage. It may be time well spent to check out "...

The challenge. Now that soil temperatures have begun warming, in many fields weed seed germination and plant establishment has begun. Herbicide resistant weeds are complicating weed management throughout the Midwest. Throughout the past 40 years, more than 140 unique cases of...

Planting Operations are Underway. Now that soil temperatures have become more favorable for seed germination, Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center (NWIARDC) Research Agronomist Brian Mansfield and Research Specialist Marty Johnson have been hard at...

Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center Superintendent and Research Agronomist, Brian Mansfield, recently started a Facebook page.He plans to use this page to post pictures and updates of the farm throughout the growing season.To access this page, visit the...

Temperature, snowfall and precipitation data listed below were collected at a weather station located a little more than 4 miles from the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center (NWIARDC), while soil temperature probes are located at the NWIARDC. Air...

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Tom Vilsack released key information on the USDA website today regarding the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage crop insurance programs in the...

Japanese beetles were a topic of conversation throughout West-Central Illinois last summer for many people: homeowners concerned about their ornamental plants, farmers and home g