The U.S. Department of Agriculture will reopen about 2,100 county offices all across the country despite the ongoing government shutdown to help farmers and ranchers get access to $3 billion of aid from existing programs.

As politicians continue to bicker and blame during the government shutdown, fields across the Midwest are a flurry of harvest activity.

This is a good place to grow soybeans — because it is a good place to breed soybeans.

The pumpkin in Tony Scott’s backyard weighs almost as much as a small car.

All was running smoothly, until it didn’t, for Ken Ropp while he was harvesting a corn field across from his dairy farm.

For over two decades, the Beck’s Practical Farm Research program has provided data-driven information to help farmers make agronomic decisions on their own farms.

I admire those older ranchers for their work ethic and their passion to care for their flock, but it is hard to duplicate that in the younger generation.

I would like to find some time for some more brush control projects, but I’m concerned that the dry weather may have rendered the target plants less receptive to absorb the chemical than would be ideal and I don’t want to waste the herbicides or the time to apply them.

Seed corn harvest is complete and soybean harvest is almost finished at the Henert farm in north-central Illinois.

AGCO aims to be the most farmer-focused company in the industry.

It is no surprise that many Illinois farmers told the Illinois Soybean Association in its annual Soybean Production Concerns survey that they want more agronomic research to maximize wheat and double-crop soybean production.

An investment in farm drainage tile can boost crop yields, reduce financial risk and ultimately increase the long-term profitability of your farm.

The Western Illinois University School of Agriculture will host the 30th annual Agricultural Career Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct.1 in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

Developing a livestock grazing plan during the initial design of solar projects helps to eliminate future problems.

A third-generation family seed business is gearing up for its 80th anniversary next year.

Cattle are now grazing on a field of cover crops at Riskedal Farms.

Sending the nation’s dwindling number of farmers ever-bigger federal checks isn’t a solution. It is, in fact, an admission of failure.

We’re hauling soybean screenings and splits for Consolidated Grain and Barge. They’re getting ready for fall harvest and making final preparations for that.

Illinois Soybean Association is recruiting farmers to host cover crop weed suppression trials starting this fall.

Despite all the hot weather we had in July and August, the cattle have come on well and look great. Returns on the cattle we have sold continue to show they are performing and grading very well.

Prices for every class of cattle are over-the-moon high and the only question I hear is, “When will this bubble burst?” The answer of course is, “Who knows?”

The moderate drought we are back in has hastened the row crop maturation and held back everything else needing a drink.

Seed Genetics Direct’s 2025 Wheat Yield Contest entries averaged 110.5 bushels per acre, with an average test weight of 58.7 pounds per acre.

Clay Geyer is preparing for the next chapter on the farm — harvest and the Indiana State Corn Husking Contest.

A wind-and-hail storm that rolled through Lee County in north-central Illinois has reduced the yield potential for crops on William Henert’s farm.

We had some tassel wrap, which was pretty scary for a while, but most of ears filled out.

Khalid Meksem, a distinguished professor of genome biotechnology and genetics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is one of 12 scientists named a 2025 Researcher to Know by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition.

Over the years we’ve explored the environmental and economic benefits of adjusting management practices to include conservation.

On the southern Illinois farm of my youth, August always meant heat, humidity and the best food of the year.

I’m hustling to keep up with the grass growth and mow under the fence to keep the volts up and my high school help went back to school.

Nathaniel will be marketing his first-ever pastured organic broiler crop as his entrepreneurial debut.

Plant succession is a process where one plant community replaces another.

At the Half Century of Progress, the past and present of agriculture come together. It’s a celebration of heritage and hard work — the same values that have guided Beck’s for generations.

In the case of biological crop inputs, there are many handling, storage and management considerations regarding on-farm implementation. Fortunately, farmers do have resources to help navigate the novelty of biologicals.

The pruning of roots by corn rootworms can have a significant impact on yields.

Wheat harvest is complete on Riskedal Family Farms and cover crops have been planted that will be grazed by cattle starting in September.

How should a farmer prepare for an agronomy service call when there is a problem with the crop growing in the field?

Beck’s has acquired Andrews Farm and Seed in Carthage, Missouri — the latest step in the company’s expansion efforts.

Farmers will have a new option for controlling corn rootworms with Syngenta’s Opello insecticide.

Often called the $1 billion beetle, corn rootworm pressure is costly from both control costs and yield loss.

With recent wildfires in the western United States and Canada, smoke has made its way to the Midwest. It particularly may affect already vulnerable crops.

Understanding the environment of a field can help farmers choose the best soybean variety, as well as make management decisions.

The DEKALB and Asgrow seed brands are launching 43 new products for 2026 that provide exclusive genetics and advanced trait protection to help farmers maximize performance in their fields.

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.

Of the two predominant sources of resistance for soybean cyst nematode, PI 88788 is used in over 90% of the commercial soybean varieties today. However, as with most products used to control insects or diseases over time, those same pests develop resistance.

A nutritional naturally-derived seed treatment that delivers nutrients to support healthy corn emergence awaits regulatory approval.

With just a couple months left until harvest, fields across the region are in the height of growing season.

Beck’s, the largest family-owned retail seed company in the United States, announced a strategic partnership with Matt Bennett, a nationally recognized grain marketing analyst, consultant and farmer from central Illinois.

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

In the latest AgriNews AgriMinute podcast, Jim Henry details how to use data to make decisions.