Cover Crops

As harvest begins to wind down, planning for the 2023 growing season is beginning to ramp up. The Illinois Soybean Association is proud to announce the FY23 checkoff-funded research projects which will be conducted in Illinois in partnership with university researchers.

State Conservationist Ivan Dozier announced that the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will offer Regional Conservation Partnership Program funding for the Working Lands, Water and Wildlife Partnership throughout Illinois.

Achieving high yields and the higher input costs that goal often requires may not be the best economic or conservation model for farms and farm families.

There’s plenty of good information available from universities about the environmental benefits of conservation practices, but limited data to help farmers determine if it’s a good business decision.

Even at first glance, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recently announced $3 billion “Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities” sounds like doublespeak, an Orwellian invention that reverses the meaning of words.

Solar panels have been installed at Emancipation Brewing Co. this past month to sustainably provide electricity to the brewery, house and other buildings on the farm.

Not everyone in agriculture shares the same definitions of sustainable or regenerative agriculture. But most will agree these efforts include environmental, economic and social practices to ensure we have — and will continue to have — the water, materials and resources needed.

Lifelong Montgomery County farmer, Sugar Creek steward and conservation cropping innovator Kenny Cain received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hoosier Environmental Council at the 2022 Greening the Statehouse event in Westfield.

The new farm bill, conservation programs and regulations are among the areas the Illinois Farm Bureau has focused on in working on behalf of Prairie State farmers.

Indiana’s fall pumpkin yields will vary, depending on summer rainfall and irrigation, according to an expert at Purdue University. Pumpkin growth depends heavily on timely summer rainfall — and much of Indiana experienced hot, dry weather.

Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership announced the publication of the first Cover Crop Incentive Directory for Illinois. The directory aims to provide a clear comparison of several programs that offer payment incentives to Illinois farmers for growing cover crops.

Farmer sentiment about the ag economy decreased from August to September, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. More farmers cited rising interest rates as a reason why now is not a good time to make large investments.

Illinois Corn is celebrating being named as a valued partner in multiple projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program.

Peoples Company, a full-service farmland transaction and management business licensed in 29 states, announced an expanded cover crop partnership with Stine Seed, the largest independent corn and soybean seed company and one of the most-recognized corn and soybean seed brands.

Earlier this summer, the Precision Conservation Management program released its data summary report for 2015-2021.