The number one question I receive is, “What is the going rate for cash rent?” Most landowners are seeking an average to charge a farmer for the use of the land per acre for one year. One of the problems with this approach is that many landowners really don’t know whether their farm is below or...

Disclaimer - The following is meant only for educational purposes and not to be construed as legal advice. The author of this article is a licensed Real Estate Managing Broker in the State of Illinois. Managing a farm is a big job. It requires oversight of the farmer(s) who...

Choosing a Trustee/Executor for Your Farm Estate Plan Disclaimer – The following is meant only for educational purposes and not to be construed as legal advice.  Consult your legal advisor for actual legal advice. As you work through the estate planning process,...

USDA has released estimated Corn Yields by county average for 2022.  Stark County led with the highest average yield per acre(ac) at 240.6 bushels (bu) per acre.  Tazewell County came in 9th in the state at 229.9 bushels per acre. Local County Corn Yields: Tazewell                      229.9 bu...

Disclaimer – The following is meant only for educational purposes and not to be construed as legal advice. Contact your legal advisor and the FAA for more information. Flying a drone can be fun and exciting, however, for safety reasons, many rules need to be followed. The Federal Aviation...

USDA has released estimated Cash Rents per acre (ac) for Illinois counties. The numbers are voluntarily self-reported and not necessarily representative of current cash rent levels. Per the author, these figures are likely low compared to the marketplace. Some counties are not reported due to a...

Disclaimer - The following is meant only for educational purposes and not to be construed as legal advice. People typically avoid talking about their death. The thought isn’t pleasant. Our natural human behavior is to avoid the subject as much as possible. Too often when forced to...

Every year, University of Illinois scientists conduct pest and disease surveys in corn and soybean crops across the state, along with in-field tests of insecticides, seed treatments, and more. The 2022 report, now available, describes ongoing Bt-resistance monitoring results; field evaluations of...

As the calendar enters February, discussion on the 2023 crop turns to the subject of Crop Insurance. The deadline for Federal Crop Insurance signup is March 15 for row crops in Illinois.  Federal Crop Insurance (FCI) is heavily subsidized at the tune of about 60% of the actual cost of the insurance...