John Deere

As farmers and ranchers, our work is never just about getting the job done, but looking for the best practices and embracing innovation for whatever challenges may lie ahead.

The timely planting of cover crops for maximum biomass has typically been limited to post-harvest or aerial inter-seeding, followed by the hope of rain for stand establishment.

The new John Deere Coulter Chisel tools are ideal for primary tillage.

John Deere introduced the new T6 800 walker combine, offering operators outstanding harvesting performance and the ultimate operator experience.

Hans Bishop’s move into effective organic row crop production weed control begins with his experiences in growing vegetables on his family’s PrairiErth Farm near Atlanta in central Illinois.

Confetti, traveling and fair food, oh my. Many people joke that my teammates and I are now “owned” by Illinois FFA.

In between fungicide and insecticide applications and replacing a hot water heater at the Humane Society, Aaron Rients and other volunteers are getting ready for the 76th annual Central States Threshermen’s Reunion.

Wheat is strategically planted on the Rahn farm to provide opportunities for manure applications and tiling projects.

Many farmers quietly struggle with mental health and are reluctant to ask for help. If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Berkeley Boehne harvested an excellent wheat crop in July and his corn and soybean crops also look good at the start of August.

Led by the “Purple Cancer Eater,” 46 tractors and assorted Gators, four-wheelers and other vehicles paraded through the countryside July 6 for the 20th Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive.

Historic Farm Days visitors had the option to “drive” a classic 4020, the newest 9RX or anything in between at a new John Deere mobile simulator.

Deere & Co. is laying off nearly 600 workers as the farm equipment manufacturer deals with declining demand.

One of the longest-running sponsorships in U.S. motorsports is also one of the largest. Hall Brothers Racing, headquartered in central Illinois, has been sponsored by the Dodge brand since 2001.

Construction on a new GSI grain system is complete and the final touches are being made on a farm in Putnam County in west-central Indiana.

The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund and John Deere announced a new collaboration, bringing an integrated digital experience to farmers participating in SWOF’s leading agricultural ecosystem services program.

Steve Hirsch has been involved with volunteer fire departments his entire life.

From iron plows to driverless tractors, new ideas and innovative businesses have continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in farming.

The only career Bob Friestad ever considered was farming and more than seven decades later he continues to grow crops on his farm near Morris in northeastern Illinois.

Snowfall and rain showers during the past month have improved the soil moisture conditions for Rahn family farm in northern Illinois.

John Deere dropped the curtain — literally — on one of its largest product launches in the company’s 187-year history at the Commodity Classic in Houston.

More horsepower means more opportunities — and there has never been as much potential to get more done in a day as there is with John Deere’s new 9RX 830.

John Deere introduced its S7 Series of combines at the recent Commodity Classic convention in Houston, which exclusively offer new predictive ground speed automation.

As farmers try to cover more acres and get more done in a day, they are looking to bigger, wider and faster equipment. John Deere is also striving to be smarter.

The John Deere Foundation committed nearly $4 million in grants to the National FFA Organization. The multiyear giving will support educational outreach and FFA’s mission — to lift up the next generation of leaders in agriculture.

Indiana’s agriculture community lost a beloved member, Tim Nannet, who fought a long battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

State FFA President Thaddeus Bergschnider, Vice President Eric Wisley, Reporter Cooper Nelson, Secretary Riley Kessler and Treasurer Benjamin Bremmer are nine months through their year as state officers.

The Illinois Soybean Association, together with Illinois’ other commodity and agriculture organizations, is once again calling for nominations to the Illinois 20 Under 40 Awards.

An organization comprised of classic John Deere tractor enthusiasts is raising funds for Lake Land College scholarships.

A new product that provides an unobstructed view of the entire farming operation based on accumulated data and its analysis was launched by Precision Planting.

For 150 of Knox County’s 198-year history, Dave Rylander and his ancestors before him have been farming in this west-central Illinois locale.

With rain in the forecast, the Smolkovich brothers hoped to wrap most of the corn harvest after a slight delay for equipment repair. John, Joe, Alan and Marko had 20 acres of corn remaining.

Marvin Frederick expected to be drafted into the Army since he had a 23 lottery number. “I knew it was coming so I waited for the letter in the mail,” he said.

Ted Mottaz was fresh out of college and all set for a career in agriculture education, but Uncle Sam had other ideas.

Taylorville FFA of Illinois was named the 2023 Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture during the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis.

Chris Gould started harvest combining his Plenish beans and is pleased with the results for the first time he has grown the high oleic soybean variety.

Visitors to the Midwest Ag Industries Expo were able to see the third-year evolution of See & Spray technology. The John Deere exhibit featured the the next edition in the See & Spray lineup.

August is the month for maintenance jobs and preparing for harvest on Chris Gould’s farm. “We finished sweeping out the bins so the wheat and corn are all gone,” he said.

It seems like a short month since I penned my last column, but it has been a busy month for sure, with one guy doing this, one guy doing that and some other guys doing something else.

Todd Crowley has seen a lot of signing ceremonies, when athletes officially sign a commitment to attend a college or university to play their chosen sport or to play for a professional team.

Cars — and auto and diesel mechanics — provided Levi Nodine a roadmap after high school. “He really didn’t have a goal. This all happened this year,” said Nodine’s mother, Brandi Clift.

On his way back to farm full time, Eric Ebersole is making a stop at Prairie State Tractor. “My end goal is to farm full time some day," said Ebersole, who graduated from Milledgeville High School.

It’s been steady-as-it-goes at Smolkovich farms and the brothers are using the downtime to clean and check the combine in preparation for harvest.

The road to Illinois FFA Major State Office is not a smooth path and the officers learn quickly that their term is very busy; however, it is among the most fulfilling journeys on which a teenager can embark.

John Deere will display its newest farm equipment and technology Aug. 29-31 at the 2023 Farm Progress Show in Decatur.

A group of Brazilian agronomists, landowners and input industry representatives visited several locations in Illinois that included stops at the Illinois State University Farm, Bayer research facilities and John Deere.

Illinois Agri-Women has awarded five scholarships for females studying agriculture. One $1,500 IAW Helen Henert Agriculture Education Scholarship has been awarded to Mallory Ames, an agriculture education major.

Beck’s is taking an International Farmall 560 to the Half Century of Progress Show. “Purchased March 1, 1984, in northern Indiana, it has been in the Beck family for nearly 40 years,” said Blair Dunn, shop foreman.

If someone sounds familiar at the Half Century of Progress Show, that will be the voice of Chris Karr. This is the 11th Half Century of Progress that Karr will announce.

Picking and shelling ear corn is a rarity in today’s agriculture, but visitors to the Half Century of Progress Show can see the entire process from start to finish.