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From Dixon Springs Ag Center: High tunnel no-till cover crop observations

July 29, 2025

No-till cover crop observationsPredator insects continue to thrive in the treatment tunnel (cover crops + cut flowers), including the many small spiders. The number of webs within all the tomato and pepper plants is impressive, especially as pest insects can be observed stuck in the webs. The white...

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Winter insect pest control

November 27, 2024

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

As winter is upon us, there are things that growers can do to deal with winter pests. Of course, this is particularly important in winter production and here in Illinois, this is primarily done in high tunnels and greenhouses. In high tunnels, no pest is worse in winter production than aphids (...

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two persons working with a computer and a robot inside a high tunnel with tomatoes

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Field day demonstrates possibilities with farm robotics

July 29, 2024

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

On July 16, we hosted the High Tunnel Production Field Day. This was the second year for this meeting and we plan to make it an annual event. Last year, USDA NRCS and FSA staff talked about programs that each agency offers to support high tunnel production and specialty crop growers. To build on...

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spring oats and crimson clover cover crops growing in high tunnel

Dixon Spring Update: Winter injury on cover crop in the high tunnel

January 29, 2024

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

For many growers, January and February is the time to attend meetings and conferences to learn about the latest research information, production and marketing management practices, and to network with other growers. Many have already made seed orders for the coming season but may decide on a last-...

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Dixon Springs Update: Cover crops established in high tunnel

November 28, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

The cover crops, spring oats and crimson clover, seeded on October 4 in our “treatment” high tunnel have established very well. The spring oat crop is expected to winter kill and the crimson clover will continue to grow until termination in the spring. The outside temperature reached an overnight...

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cover crop growing in tunnel with cut flower crop

Dixon Springs Update: Preparing beds for year 2 insect trial

October 27, 2023

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Cover crops were seeded on October 4 in preparation for year two of the Illinois Department of Agriculture HR 133 grant: Strategies for Improving Biological Control of Insect Pests for Vegetable Growers Utilizing High Tunnels. The process Seeding of spring oats at 30 lbs/acre,...

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Beneficial Insects Blogs

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: High tunnel no-till cover crop observations

Winter insect pest control

From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Field day demonstrates possibilities with farm robotics

Dixon Spring Update: Winter injury on cover crop in the high tunnel

Dixon Springs Update: Cover crops established in high tunnel

Dixon Springs Update: Preparing beds for year 2 insect trial