Weather

Farming is all about being resilient, and Mindy Orschell and her family have had to be just that as weather challenges impacted planting this spring.

Timing sure was tricky this year and continues to be an issue with spraying and sidedressing the crops.

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.

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.

Corn Belt agricultural conditions ranged from weak to slightly favorable in the latest Federal Reserve’s Beige Book.

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.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Illinois of the July 21 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the derecho July 15-18, 2024.

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

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

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.

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.

A wise-old rancher told me last year, “I can lead you to knowledge, but I can’t make you think.”

June is the beginning of grilling season and that’s been great for beef demand. If more of you would try lamb chops or lamb kabobs on the grill maybe we could see similar results in the lamb market.

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

A new, free guide for creating accessible farm shops was published by the National AgrAbility Project.

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

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition has worked successfully through the tension of whether it would still have grant funds for events after the days of DOGE.

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.

A beautiful day presented itself at Eby Field as the sun gradually peaked down through the clouds on the legacy of one man’s dream.

Although Illinois Farm Bureau has worked to provide mental health and awareness resources to its members for several years, the statewide group is focused on expanding that commitment.

A shortage of mental health providers is one of the factors that makes it difficult for those living in rural areas to get the help they need.

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

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 first-look at the 2025-2026 crop balance sheet was rolled out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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

Farmer Dan Glessing isn’t ready to get too upset over President Donald Trump’s trade wars.

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.

Limiting stress and maintaining a strong relationship with a veterinarian are vital for a rancher’s success in fighting bovine respiratory disease.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts soybean ending stocks will decrease 16%, or 55 million bushels less than 2024, and corn ending stocks will increase 27%, or 385 million bushels from 2024.

New crop corn and soybean ending stock estimates were lower than pre-report trade expectations in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s supply and demand report.

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 mill has been busy. We have received a lot of new fiber orders and working through the ones already had.

Mental fitness is a personal understanding that individuals have the ability to build a happier and more productive life.

Let’s say you could have President Donald Trump’s attention for 20 minutes. What would you ask him to do for our domestic cattle and sheep industries?

Erin McGuire spent years cultivating fruits and vegetables like onions, peppers and tomatoes as a scientist and later director of a lab at the University of California-Davis.

Down in southern Illinois we could almost make the claim that it hasn’t stopped raining since December.

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

I have 100 acres of corn left to plant and maybe 80 acres of beans left. We’ve really been hitting it hard.

Founders Pledge announced a $1.02 million gift from an anonymous donor to fund the Feed the Future Soybean Innovation Lab at the University of Illinois for another year.

AgriNews is happy to welcome back Clay Geyer as northern Indiana’s From the Fields contributor for 2025.

Heat stress not only impacts lactating dairy cows, it also affects dry cows, as well as first-gestation heifers.

Corn and soybeans are planted at the same time on the Henert farm.

Planting season is quickly approaching, and much of the country is experiencing erratic weather patterns.

Spring planting is just getting started, so hopefully we will not see any major breakdowns.

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

Science plays a massive and multifaceted role in the world today. It is woven into pretty much every aspect of our lives, whether we notice it or not.