Science

Longer, more diverse rotations of crops fertilized with livestock manure have many environmental benefits, but carbon sequestration isn’t one of them, according to a new study led by Iowa State University researchers.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison and partners in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan are seeking licensed and experienced grain and fiber hemp growers to conduct on-farm variety trials.

Now is the time to plan your day — or days — at the National Farm Machinery Show Feb. 12-15 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

Emerson Nafziger was honored for his “unwavering loyalty, passion and positive impact on the ag retail industry” at the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association’s annual conference.

Illinois agricultural and forestry producers who want to address or improve natural resources are encouraged to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Seed oil composition and soybean cyst nematode resistance are among the soybean checkoff-funded research projects currently underway at the University of Illinois.

Research is underway at the University of Illinois to develop high-yielding wheat varieties with early maturity enabling earlier planting of double-crop soybeans.

The Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, platform is generating a lot of interest in how our food is produced. Farmers and ranchers welcome a healthy discussion — we always have.

Nearly a quarter of animals living in rivers, lakes and other freshwater sources are threatened with extinction, according to new research.

Harmful chemicals in sewage sludge that is spread on pasture land as fertilizer are causing cancer, the Environmental Protection Agency said.

I have said it many times: farming is not an easy life’s work and certainly not for the faint of heart. Farming can push you to your physical and emotional limits. It can nearly kill you. It can save your life.

llinois State Conservationist Tammy Willis announced a funding opportunity for Environmental Quality Incentives Program Landscape Conservation Initiatives and Urban Ag using Act Now authority.

Waterhemp populations continue to evolve in herbicide resistance and weed scientists are investigating its move to residual herbicides.

Trenton Taber, a 2015 graduate of Western Illinois University’s Agriculture Education program, has been named the Region 4 Outstanding Agriculture Teacher by the National Association of Agricultural Educator.

Farmer participation in the Precision Conservation Management program continues to grow for 2025.

The Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council met in December and seated three new board members.

Indiana Grown, a program that promotes locally grown and made products, is celebrating accomplishments from several Hoosier schools in 2024.

California officials have declared a state of emergency over the spread of bird flu, which is tearing through dairy cows in that state and causing sporadic illnesses in people in the United States.

A genetic analysis suggests the bird flu virus mutated inside a Louisiana patient who contracted the nation’s first severe case of the illness, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

The death of an Oregon house cat and a pet food recall are raising questions about the ongoing outbreak of bird flu and how people can protect their pets.

Cargill RegenConnect has surpassed one million enrolled acres for the 2025 U.S. planting season, a milestone that underscores Cargill’s ongoing efforts to support farmers in adopting regenerative agriculture practices.

Channel seed is introducing an exclusive, new offering of downstream seed treatment products for next season along with an expanded portfolio of seed products.

Bayer announced new Climate FieldView features to help customers transition from 2024 harvest to 2025 planning.

Grain and fertilizer prices may have you thinking about skipping some normal fertility practices this year — particularly applying supplemental phosphorus and potassium. However, carefully consider all factors.

It Takes a Village is a nearly three-acre, urban nonprofit farm in Sauk Village, a suburb of Chicago, that opened in response to the last grocery store closing in the community in 2019.

Conservation practice adoption, pesticide regulations and biofuel tax credits are just a few of the issues for agriculture entering 2025.

The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts announced the selection of Eliot Clay as its new executive director.

Dairy checkoff initiatives of 2024 successfully increased dairy access in schools, expanded market share for U.S. dairy products and supported the industry’s longstanding commitment to sustainability.

PrairiErth Farm will host a fruit tree pruning workshop on Feb. 8.

One of the biggest challenges growers face early in the planting season is controlling tough weeds. As soon as planting occurs, weeds begin to compete with the crop for sunlight, nutrients and moisture.

Digital agriculture is the next wave of technology that will help farmers increase their production and improve their management decisions.

The 89th annual Pest Management Conference will be held Jan. 13-15 at the Stewart Center at Purdue University.

The 2024 Hay Quality Seminar was hosted by the Indiana Forage Council and Purdue University Extension this fall.

Winners of the Hoosier Hay Contest were announced at the 2024 Hay Quality seminar.

The Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District will hold its 80th annual meeting Jan. 16 at the Pontiac Elks Club.

An outbreak of often-fatal epizootic hemorrhagic disease afflicted more than 500 white-tailed deer in Indiana’s Allen, Porter and Wabash counties last summer.

Corn crops have a voracious appetite for nitrogen.

Low-moisture foods such as dried fruits, seeds, tree nuts and wheat flour were once considered to carry minimal microbial risks.

Balancing fertility input costs in times of lower commodity prices can be a conundrum for farmers.

Every growing season, corn and soybean producers have to make numerous management decisions that affect their bottom line.

What is the value of seed treatments to U.S. soybean farmers, and how do they feel about alternatives to seed treatments?

A warm, dry fall gave the Rahn family the opportunity to finish harvest early and rain showers over the past several weeks improved the conditions for fall work.

Illinois State Conservationist Tammy Willis announced a statewide funding opportunity for the Conservation Stewardship Program funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

This marks the 90th year the University of Illinois Variety Testing will provide unbiased, third-party performance evaluations free for farmers.

A new digital platform designed to assist farmers implement precision farming strategies was rolled out this year.

Matthew Montgomery, of Chatham, was named recipient of the 2024 Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Award.

Illinois soybean farmers will now have additional assistance with evaluating field data to better implement practices that benefit the environment.

Corn products are typically recommended based on soil type and other factors, but a new effort now looks at root characteristics to tie it all together.

McDonald’s USA, Lopez Foods and Syngenta North America announced a collaboration that aims to increase feed efficiency and help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released per pound of meat produced.

ILSoyAdvisor Soy Envoys recapped the top agronomic challenges of 2024 and what potentially lies ahead for 2025 in an Illinois Soybean Association Field Advisor podcast.