Nitrogen

Jim Fulton heard concerns about nitrogen leaving cropland and related water quality problems and decided to do something about it after hearing about constructed wetlands.

A constructed wetland designed to receive tile drainage water from 73 acres of corn and soybeans is doing its job of removing nitrates.

While the extended dry, warm fall has made harvest of corn and soybeans smoother for farmers, it also means farmers might have to put the brakes on when it comes to fall fertilizer applications.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $1.5 billion investment for 92 partner-driven conservation projects, including one in Illinois and Indiana, through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

With his eight-year commitment to the Army National Guard, Chuck Hanley was able to juggle his agriculture careers with his service.

Examples of typical and not-so-common cover crops used in corn and soybean rotations were featured in a recent plot tour on the Farm Progress Show grounds.

Participation in the Precision Conservation Management program continues to grow and farmers can still sign up for the 2024 crop year, as well as 2025.

Warm, dry weather is helping farmers in northern Illinois to quickly harvest corn and soybeans with little need to run the crops through a dryer prior to storage.

With the current crises we face on all fronts, foreign and domestic, we need a strong leader and God’s help to get us through.

Farmers should consider stalk quality as they decide which cornfields to harvest first.

AgriGold agronomist Brett Leahr is concerned crown rot will be widespread in the Corn Belt this fall, especially in his territory that stretches from northern Missouri to central Illinois.

While most farmers’ planters have been cleaned and put away and their focus is now on harvest, Eric Miller’s planter — along with his combine, grain cart and tractors — is ready to go.

Rain at the end of August was good timing for the double-crop soybeans growing in northern Illinois.

Working one-on-one with farmers and seeing positive changes across the landscape is what drives Aidan Walton. Walton has served farmers as a Precision Conservation Management specialist since 2021.

First Mid Ag Services’ 28th annual yield survey estimates McLean County corn to average 227.12 bushels per acre, 14.76 bushels above the five-year average.

Agronomists at Pioneer advise farmers to keep scouting fields in August, even as corn and soybeans rapidly mature.

The difference between nitrogen production costs of $3.12 and 4 cents per gallon is lightning in a bottle — literally — for new trials at Precision Technology Institute.

Is it still there for the crop? That’s the big nitrogen question after a wet spring.

As farmers, we know that healthy soil is an important foundation for everything we grow. It is critical to productivity.

Researchers at Purdue’s Agronomy Center for Research and Education are addressing an important issue to farmers everywhere — drought tolerance.

In the world of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide gets most of the blame. But tiny organisms that flourish in the world’s farm fields emit a far more potent gas, nitrous oxide.

The third round of Fertilizer Production Expansion Program grant recipients, including four in Illinois, was recently announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Star in Agriscience award will be presented during the Stars Over Illinois ceremony on Wednesday, June 12.

A fertilizer tank leak has resulted in a miles-long fish kill in central Indiana, environmental officials said.

Despite adverse weather last year, including an extended dry period, Illinois corn averaged 206 bushels per acre and soybeans hit 63 bushels per acre, much to the surprise of many.

For the second year in a row, Indiana landowners set a record number of conservation practices to maintain soil health, according to the Indiana Conservation Partnership.

Heavy rains that have hit portions of Illinois and Indiana raise concerns over the survivability of corn that’s already planted and other issues that go along with a wet spring.

In spite of challenges, corn-on-corn acreage remains a popular choice on many farms.

Extensive multiyear, in-field trials found a key to unlocking the challenge of meeting the final goal of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.

Beck’s Hybrids announced the development of Root Reveal research — which will offer farmers insight into hybrid selection, product placement and crop management.

The nitrogen cycle is a complex process that makes it challenging to manage nitrogen for corn production.

Daily in-person and virtual events packed the Illinois Soil Health Week docket, including two days at the state capitol.

Swings in fertilizer prices have been the norm the past several years, swayed primarily by global market issues.

A high management corn strip cropping study had the top return on investment for 2023 among Precision Planting’s agronomic trials.

A trio of farmers tackled issues ranging from soil management to grain marketing during a panel discussion at the Illinois Soybean Association’s Soybean Summit.

The top west-central Illinois Yield Chasers were honored during a special event hosted by DEKALB and Asgrow. This marked the second year of the corn and soybean yield contests for the 19-county region.

For at least the past decade, “a growing number of peer-reviewed medical studies have linked exposure to nitrates in drinking water to elevated incidences of cancer.” As the environmental news service clearly states, this news isn’t exactly news.

Research continues to shed light on the importance of microorganisms to plants, according to experts at Corteva Agriscience.

The second annual Illinois Ag Retail Survey is underway to collect data on nutrient management practices.

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy’s biennial report featured what’s been done and what needs to be done in the non-point source sector.

Point source and urban stormwater sectors have been making progress in meeting the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy goals.

Whether he’s working with vegetables in the Rio Grande Valley or soybeans in the Prairie State, Brad Forkner’s primary aim is to make the soil more hospitable to enhance plant growth.

Corn and soybean yields in Illinois for the 2023 growing season were higher than some farmers expected with the dry weather partially as a result of the outstanding root systems of these plants.

The 2025 interim goals set by the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy are fast-approaching, but the numbers needed are still not there.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association honored several individuals for their roles in supporting farmers and the industry during the organization’s annual meeting.

Like the phoenix in Greek mythology, University of Illinois Extension has found new life by rising from the symbolic ashes of its recent former self.

The front page of a newspaper I receive featured two stories that make perfect sense to almost every farmer and little sense to almost everyone who doesn’t farm.

Ryan Gentle, Wyffels Hybrids agronomy manager for central and southern Illinois, shared his thoughts and advice on harvest at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur.

The annual yield survey by First Mid Ag Services estimates McLean County corn to average 223.69 bushels per acre. The yield estimate is based on 1,620 samples from 162 locations.

Agronomists covering a broad area of the Corn Belt gave their insights on crop conditions, nitrogen applications and other topics recently at Beck’s Central Illinois Field Show.