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Anhydrous ammonia tanks in snowy farm field

Nutrient November: What are the 4R's?

November 15, 2024

With harvest wrapped up across most of Illinois, many growers are starting to consider fall nitrogen fertilizer applications. Fall applied nitrogen is fairly common throughout Illinois as ammonia is typically cheaper in the fall and there is less of a time crunch than spring applied N, but...

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Cover crop spotlight: Cereal rye

October 10, 2024

Field Notes

Harvest is well underway across the state, with record yields projected for both corn and soybean. Many farmers are also gearing up to plant their winter cover crops. In recent...

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Soybeans planted into cereal rye residue

Cover crop selection tool helps growers choose the right cover crops for them

August 21, 2024

Field Notes

Choosing the right cover crop can be a daunting task, whether it is the first time you’re planting a cover crop or you're deciding to switch to something new. With countless options and complex factors to consider, it can be difficult to determine which is the best cover crop for your...

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No-till soybean residue with rye cover crop

Cover crops offer benefits beyond improved soil health

August 7, 2024

Field Notes

In recent years, cover crops have gained popularity as a sustainable agricultural practice that farmers can implement to improve the health and functioning of their soils. Cover crops are not a new concept, though. They used to be a normal part of our agricultural systems. It is...

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Beyond the monoculture: Why we need biodiversity in agriculture

July 24, 2024

Field Notes

Driving through the country this time of year, you’re likely to see two things: corn and soybeans. In 2023, 11.2 million acres of land in Illinois were planted in corn and nearly 10.4 million acres in soybeans. These two crops make up the vast majority of our agricultural production in...

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DriftWatch map for Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam Counties.

Online mapping tools help connect growers, beekeepers, and pesticide applicators

July 17, 2024

Field Notes

Pesticides are essential for commercial growers to control weeds, insects, and disease, and are an integral part of an integrated weed management (IWM)...

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Extension + IVCC Research Plots update

July 10, 2024

Field Notes

The growing season is underway at the University of Illinois Extension + Illinois Valley Community College Agriculture Research and Demonstration plots. On the IVCC side, plots were planted with multiple varieties of corn and soybeans donated by Channel Seed. These plots will be used to...

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Edge-of-field practices offer benefits to growers and the environment

June 19, 2024

Field Notes

Edge-of-field practices are often lumped under the regenerative agriculture umbrella, but these practices tend to have different goals than those typically associated with regenerative systems. Most regenerative agricultural practices focus on building and maintaining soils, with enhancing...

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What is regenerative agriculture?

June 5, 2024

Field Notes

Regenerative agriculture may just sound like a new buzz word in the sustainable production space, but what does this term actually mean and why should it matter to Illinois farmers? Regenerative agriculture is an umbrella term used to describe the on-farm use of a wide range of sustainable...

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Combating herbicide resistance: the role of integrated weed management (IWM) in modern agriculture

May 29, 2024

Field Notes

Farmers are at the forefront of the fight against weeds. When livelihoods are on the line and herbicide resistance continues to be a growing problem, growers may want to consider a multi-faceted approach to weed control. This is where integrated weed management becomes invaluable for farmers....

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