Farm Focus 2024

This blog post is the second of a two-part series analyzing the history of the Farm Bill and the current proposals of a new Farm Bill in the United States Congress. Part one explored the history of agricultural policy in the United States from the early years of the Nation, through the Great...

The Farm Bill is a cornerstone of U.S. agricultural policy, shaping the landscape of farming and rural life for nearly a century. With the end of the 118th Congress fast approaching and discussions of a Farm Bill continuing, it's essential to understand the historical context that has led to its...

This is the second post of a two-part blog series exploring cash rents for 2025. Part One described what a cash rent agreement is, the different types of cash rent agreements, and the trends in cash rent rates across Illinois. This post will analyze the projections for farmer returns in 2025, how...

With the 2024 growing year coming to an end, producers and farm operators are beginning to focus on the 2025 growing year. Producers are making decisions on what seed varieties they will plant, how they will market their grain for 2025 and beyond, what fertilizers they will apply, and a myriad of...

This blog post is the second in a two-part series analyzing a United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA-ERS) report on the adoption of conservation practices in agriculture by farmland owners and tenant farmers. The first post studied the current landscape of farmland...

In recent years, the agricultural sector has seen a growing emphasis on conservation practices aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. These practices, which include cover cropping, reduced tillage, and integrated pest management, are designed to enhance soil health,...

Navigating the complexities of federal taxes can be challenging for farmers in Central Illinois. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 significantly changed federal taxes for individuals and estates. While many provisions of the TCJA were made...

This is the second post in a blog series regarding the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and its impact on the federal government’s ability to enact regulations. Part one of this blog covers the background of Chevron deference and the...

Agriculture policy is a complex area that can be difficult for many to understand. People often look at what Congress or Federal agencies do regarding agricultural production. However, we must not ignore the courts' essential role in policy-making. After all, the courts are responsible for...

This blog post continues a series analyzing the local dust storms that have occurred across the area recently. Part one looked at the specific causes of wind erosion and dust storms and their impacts on agriculture. This second part examines practices that producers can implement on their...

Many parts of Central Illinois, including Logan County, experienced high winds on May 21st, which caused large amounts of dust to be kicked up. These high winds and dust storms prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a Dust Storm Warning. This Warning stretched from Pekin to Decatur,...