Science

As severe storms once again soak, twist and pelt the nation’s midsection, a team of dozens of scientists is driving into them to study one of the nation’s costliest but least-appreciated weather dangers: Hail.

The United States has the ability to produce nearly everything on grocery store shelves. That’s pretty remarkable.

Water quality is directly connected to human and economic health, and an organization is working to reduce nutrient loss through education and advocacy.

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

Farm drones can be valuable in helping farmers keep an eye on their crops through the growing season.

American farmers take the responsibility of providing a safe food supply to heart because we know that food security means national security.

Two weeks from now we’ll probably go in and hit the weeds back and that will be good for the season because the beans will canopy.

Sidedressing anhydrous ammonia and herbicide applications are the focus for the Henert family now that they are almost done with planting.

Looking out our backdoor it’s about as good as we could ask for. The corn stands are about the best we’ve ever had.

Drone technology offers a fast, reliable way to assess crop stands — one of the most important factors influencing yield potential, according to Pioneer District Sales Manager Jesse Moch.

Effective grain management is key to overcoming summer challenges, helping farmers preserve grain quality while giving them the flexibility to sell when market conditions are most favorable.

Purdue University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture will offer a one-day workshop about hydroponic crop production July 12 for home and commercial growers.

Purdue University researchers now have developed an innovative, paper-based diagnostic test for rapidly detecting avian influenza, the main cause of recent high egg prices.

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.

Farming practices in America have been under public scrutiny for well over a century, but the intensity and focus of that scrutiny have evolved significantly over time.

Swartz Farms is transitioning into summer mode after a timely planting season.

Four FFA students were named Stars over Indiana for their exceptional Supervised Agricultural Experiences.

This is the second in a series of columns featuring conversations with state Farm Bureau presidents about current issues in agriculture.

Four members with outstanding projects that include cattle, flowers, sheep, auctioneering and hay production were presented the prestigious star awards during the 97th Illinois FFA State Convention.

National Pollinator Week is the perfect time to recognize the small creatures that play a major role in the success of agriculture.

Purdue University’s Department of Botany and Plant Pathology will host Weed Science Field Day on June 26 at the Throckmorton Purdue Agricultural Center.

Fire is a natural and necessary part of a healthy ecosystem.

When the Make America Healthy Again Commission released its report, it raised concerns across the agriculture community.

It took just short of four weeks for Dan Parker to finally get the last seed in the ground.

Clay Geyer is balancing working on the farm, promoting corn-husking competitions and much more this summer.

It has been almost a month since we finished planting corn and soybeans, and now we are praying for a measurable rainfall and sunny days to stimulate growth.

With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final herbicide and insecticide strategies now in place, those guidelines will now be used on labels for both new products and those due for re-registration.

The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation that bans carbon sequestration within the Mahomet Aquifer.

A research team is in its second year looking at how conservation practices can affect crop productivity and profitability.

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.

The recently implemented U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Final Insecticide Strategy drew support from various agriculture groups for its “commonsense” approach and efforts to work with stakeholders.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently released its long-awaited final Insecticide Strategy identifying protections for federally endangered and threatened species from the use of insecticides, while providing flexibility for pesticide users and farmers.

Compeer Financial announced 22 middle and high schools across Illinois will receive up to $4,000 each to support agricultural education programs and equipment through its Agriculture Education and Classroom Equipment Grant Program.

Illinois FFA state proficiency winners are selected based on FFA members’ outstanding skills in recordkeeping, leadership and scholastic achievement.

Exceptional projects of FFA members from across the state will be highlighted during the 97th annual Illinois FFA State Convention set for June 10-12.

These students have been selected district winners for the Star in Agriscience award after an extensive process of evaluating the students and their record books.

As planting season rolls on, southern Indiana From the Fields contributor Mindy Orschell shared an update on farm life with AgriNews.

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.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition announced the launch of a new educational initiative for producers: the Illinois Grazing and Forage Hub.

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

A report questioning farmers’ use of crop protection tools drew concerns the federal government could take a position to restrict access to agricultural inputs.

Most of the crops are planted in the northern two-thirds of Illinois, but multiple bouts of heavy rains in the southern part of the state have slowed many farmers to a standstill.

The Riskedal family uses regenerative agricultural practices on their farm where they grow corn, soybeans and wheat along with feeding cattle for a freezer beef enterprise.

Because of all the rain we have experienced in southeastern Indiana, we are only 30% complete with our bean acres and haven’t gotten any corn in the ground yet.

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.

The Illinois Soybean Association announced the launch of the SpringBoard Seed Funding Challenge, an initiative designed to find new uses for soy by identifying and supporting early-stage innovations in soy-based, non-food applications.

We are about one-third done with planting. So far, Morris has been wetter this year, but we do have some beans planted there.

The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge, now in its 12th year, showcases top entrepreneurs developing solutions to address both traditional and new challenges facing farmers and rural communities.

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.