Numerous organizations sharing common goals aimed at protecting soil health and water quality joined in a “Cultivate Connections” luncheon during Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair.

Jim Henry stresses the need for grain export sales.

Jim Henry analyzes how land values are still rising, but a slowing pace signals the market is cooling

Franklin Gaisler has featured his Oliver tractors during the past several Half Century of Progress shows and was at his 20th Historic Farm Days this summer.

Last year, about this time, I wrote a column about putting things in perspective and understanding the national debt. The number that was the focus of my writing was 35 trillion. But, alas, a year has passed, and a new number has taken its place.

Budget reconciliation legislation that includes farm safety net enhancements, higher reference prices and biofuel tax credits was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump.

“Why would federal policy favor legal fictional entities over individual family farms?” That’s a great question, and it was asked — and answered — by Jonathan Coppess, an associate professor of law and policy at the University of Illinois.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture plans to overhaul its rules this summer to allow more than just agricultural production on 25,000 acres under a new agricultural enterprise lands program.

“I” state farmers switched to more corn and less soybean planted acres, the U.S. Department of Agriculture found in its June planted acres survey.

Although Elaina and Garrett Fales have no farming background, they have developed a cut flower production farm that markets primarily to florists.

Farmers truly share a bond, no matter where we live or what we grow and raise.

Stephen Long, Ikenberry Endowed Chair Emeritus of Plant Biology and Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has been selected as 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneer by the World Food Prize Foundation.

Farming is an uncertain business. Farmers and ranchers received some certainty, however, with the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

Farmers were less optimistic about the ag economy in June, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which dropped 12 points.

As another large dust storm impacted Illinois, the conversation and questions continue about why and how to get the dust to settle and stay in the field rather than across roadways.

Questions and concerns about foreign countries owning U.S. land did not start recently nor will they end anytime soon.

For U.S. farmers and ranchers, May 22 was right out of a Dickens novel: It was the best of days and the worst of days.

Women who own or manage farmland or who have an interest in farming are invited to a Learning Circle hosted by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

The Dave and Donna Scanlon family was proud to receive the Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of more than 100 years of agricultural heritage.

These days, it seems we’re hearing more and more talk about “big ag.”

Jason Baldes drove down a dusty, sagebrush highway, pulling 11 young buffalo in a trailer from Colorado to the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.

In the first quarter of 2025, the 7th Federal Reserve District’s agricultural land values saw a 1% increase from a year ago, and “good” farmland values rose 4% from the fourth quarter of 2024 on average across five states.

Understanding Illinois property tax calculations is complex and confusing. Properties such as personal residences are taxed based on fair market value.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is the independent voice for businesses across the state.

The Conservation Stewardship Program is sometimes misunderstood. It is perceived by some as complicated or not for small operations — and neither of those perceptions is true.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced several Conservation Reserve Program enrollment opportunities for agricultural producers and landowners.

Farmer optimism about the ag economy improved in April, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

Farmers and ranchers hold a unique bond with the land we care for. This connection often spans generations, grounded in a deep respect for the soil, water and natural resources that sustain our farms.

Last month I alluded to an announcement concerning our grazing operation here at River Oak for 2025. So, here it is.

Heading into this year, most U.S. farmers were hoping to break even or maybe record a small profit if they could find a way to limit their sky-high costs.

Although ag media had been reporting about the impact of “forever chemicals” for several years, it was not until NewsNation did a series of reports that mainstream media outlets took notice.

Focusing on soil health is important for farmers since soil fertility is not inexhaustible.

As more than 1,000 FFA members and their teachers visited the Statehouse, a longtime advocate for those wearing the blue jackets reminisced about how the organization impacted his life.

The Illinois Soybean Association has named six agronomic professionals to its 2025 IL Soy Envoy class.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County will host a seminar to explain how an agricultural conservation easement is the only way to ensure that your farm will never be developed.

Beyond a comprehensive look at farmland values, the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers’ annual report also features other tidbits of interest in each Prairie State region.

Farmers were less optimistic about the agriculture economy in March due to trade and farm policy concerns, according to the latest reading of the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

Expectations a year ago that farmland prices have plateaued became reality through 2024 — and farm managers and rural appraisers expect more of the same this year.

The current political news brings concerning thoughts about the economic future of farming as we are faced with higher interest rates, lower grain prices and import markets at risk due to trade wars and tariffs.

American Farmland Trust focuses on protecting farmland, keeping farmers on the land and promoting sound farming practices.

The multiyear streak of farmland value increases ended in 2024, according to a report by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Farmers who are already struggling to make a profit are being furthered burdened by high tax rates on land.

Economists from Purdue University discussed the role of technology in improving farm profitability at the 2025 Commodity Classic.

In reviewing my February writing, I realize that quite a few things actually were finished or at least started in the last month — I am pleased to report that!

Uncertainty in both commodity prices and input prices is making farmers’ already tough job even more difficult.

The Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers honored two individuals for their contributions to agriculture and the profession at the group’s recent annual meeting.

Indiana and Iowa saw year-over-year decreases in foreign ownership of agricultural acres while Illinois increased, according a new report.

As farmers develop a financial plan for their operation it is important they determine where they are, where they want to go and accurate numbers about their business.

The Half Century of Progress farm show announced it has reached an agreement with the Rantoul National Aviation Center to host the organization’s next three shows, planned for 2025, 2027 and 2029.

It is a new day for agriculture, said Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins.