Nitrogen

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.

Farmers have the least control over weather, but it has the largest impact. “Weather dictates when you can plant and the weather after you plant dictates the success of your planting date,” said Fred Below.

David Isermann has focused on conservation practices to reduce nutrient losses for many years. “I farm with my son, Jim, and we strip-till the corn and no-till beans,” he said during a Nutrient Stewardship Field Day.

Planting soybeans into a cover crop such as cereal rye is a common practice, but cover crops ahead of corn is a different animal.

Greg Thoren is working to develop a healthy microbial system on his farm in Jo Daviess County. “Microbes make everything work,” said Thoren during a Nutrient Stewardship Field Day.

Soil tilth building practices should be considered offensive management tools. “Cover crops have been pushed as defensive tools against erosion, water quality problems or impeding regulations,” said Mitchell Hora.

Indiana farmers have set a conservation record this year by planting an estimated 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers, according to a recent survey.

Hefty Seed Company Princeton will host the Hefty Summer Agronomy Event from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, in the Banquet Room at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club, 658 E. U.S. Highway 6, La Salle.

Winter cover crops could cut nitrogen pollution in Illinois’ agricultural drainage water up to 30%, according to recent research from the University of Illinois.

A new constructed wetland and restored wetland site in Livingston County was among the stops as part of the Mississippi River Network’s River Days of Action.