Nitrogen

Incorporating cover crops into their regenerative farming system has been a learning process for the Riskedal family this spring.

The Precision Conservation Program is in its 10th year of helping farmers adopt in-field practices that impact environmental goals without risking their bottom line.

We met with Precision Planting this morning in Fairbury to go over some plumbing options for the sidedress bar that will be set up with all of the shutoffs and the row units.

Planting season went smoothly for Craig Swartz and his father, Gary, and was wrapped up in record fashion.

An example of how nature and agriculture can coexist to benefit crop production, water quality and habitat preservation was among the stops during the recent From Farm to Filtration: A Tour of Conservation in Action.

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

John Miller was walking through his cornfield 15 years ago, saw a problem and wanted to use his machinist skills to rectify it.

To paraphrase Forrest Gump, spring is like a box of chocolate — you never know what you’re going to get.

Disruption is the key to adaptive grazing systems.

The amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed to maximize the profitability of corn production in the Midwest has been increasing by about 1.2% per year for the past three decades, according to new Iowa State University research.

Beck’s agronomists shared best practices for growing a strong, healthy wheat crop using Practical Farm Research data during an episode of “The Dig.”

As March hit, we finally got some relief on the weather and had some nice days that first week. February stayed ugly until the end and muddy, muddy, muddy.

On-farm trial results from Yield/Profit Challenge’s plots were rolled out during the recent Midwest Ag Expo.

If corn was ever jealous of soybean’s relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, advancements in gene editing could one day even the playing field.

Crop Nutrition Week 2025, a weeklong virtual learning event hosted by AgroLiquid, delivered data-driven strategies to help growers build stronger returns on their fertility investments.

Farmers may add root structure as another trait to consider when choosing corn hybrids for their operation.

Micronutrients, pet peeves, social media and common-sense agronomy were just a few of the topics at the Illinois Soybean Association Field Advisor Forum panel discussion.

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.

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.

Corn and soybean prices for this marketing year are projected below the 20-year average, but expenses aren’t following the trend.

Corteva Agriscience announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has registered NovaGraz herbicide.

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

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.

AgriNews has followed the Rahn family throughout the year. This is the last in a series of updates about the family members and the decisions they make on their farm.

Corn crops have a voracious appetite for nitrogen.

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

This year’s Greater Peoria Farm Show will include a new Kubota Sidekick UTV giveaway and the new University of Illinois Extension seminar series.

Fall fieldwork is near completion for Berkeley Boehne after some much-needed rain slowed tillage for some of his fields.

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.