Moisture and cooler weather this fall could boost cool-season pasture growth, but careful management is needed to balance immediate forage use with long-term recovery.

America’s entire cattle industry depends on a market that is disappearing before our eyes: the negotiated cash cattle market.

Animal welfare should be driven by science, not by a patchwork of state-by-state legislation.

The future of your farm depends on who is in the driver's seat. True estate planning means having a deep understanding of which family members are ready to lead.

The Illinois FFA S.T.A.R. Conferences empower section officer teams through intensive, day-long training where they master their roles, build regional connections and collaborate with the major state officer team.

Years of declining numbers have created a supply challenge that short-term solutions cannot reverse.

If rebuilding the U.S. cow herd is a national objective, sustaining the people and businesses that maintain it must be part of that objective.

For most livestock producers, extending the grazing season for their animals, or otherwise filling gaps in pasture forage availability to reduce stored feed needs, should be a high-priority objective.

Starting a farm transition or retirement plan early helps protect the land, reduce family conflict and keep the business running smoothly.

If we could all be like Dolly Parton, the world would be a much better place.

Building a farm takes a lifetime, but losing it can take one unfinished plan.

The largest packers are reconfiguring their business models to emphasize a greater reliance on imports and deemphasize their historical reliance on domestic slaughter.

We’re witnessing a radical restructuring where the downstream beef industry intersects with the upstream cattle industry.

Silage harvest is a busy time and brings with it potential hazards that can cause injury or death.

Together, we can continue breaking down barriers, reducing stigma and ensuring that every farm family knows help is available.

One of the most consequential actions during the markup of the farm bill was the Senate Agriculture Committee vote on an amendment addressing mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef.

Proactive farm estate and succession planning ensures agricultural legacies survive across generations.

It’s been 40 years since Congress last passed major agricultural labor reform. In that time, farming has changed, but our labor system has not kept up.

Continued low prices, government subsidy programs and high input costs will continue to weigh on farmer profitability and their ability to maintain current cash rents. These factors will all be important to consider when 2027 rents are negotiated in the fall of 2026.

Good pasture management can result in more productive pastures during the summer.

The 2026 farm bill marks a new opportunity for Congress to take a bold step to upset the status quo by rebalancing the grazing livestock sector’s legal and regulatory framework.

It is now time to celebrate the accomplishments from this past year at the 98th Illinois FFA State Convention. However, this event would not have been possible without the months' worth of preparation completed by the state officer team.

I love the idea of transforming garbage into free mulch and fertilizer. Composting is a win-win: I save money and keep my eggshells, coffee grounds and weeds out of a landfill.

Short on space? Consider microgardening. Although the term might conjure thoughts of minuscule garden gnomes and fairies, the reality is quite the opposite.

From conferences to convention to contests, this month the Illinois FFA major state officers have been busy traveling all across the state and even into Iowa.

Complete certification early to avoid interfering with tile installation.

In May, grass is growing fast, and it’s easy to get ahead of yourself and move too quickly. Instead of sticking to a pre-set plan, watch what the plants are doing.

As we see more solar fields dotting our rural landscape, it’s understandable to question if this is the best use of our productive Illinois land.

Installing drainage tile is a strategic investment that maximizes yield potential and boosts net returns for both farmers and landowners.

From charter signings to banquets and everything in between, the Illinois FFA major state officers this past month have participated in a wide variety of events across the state, along with extensive convention preparation.

Differences between pastures become more apparent each spring, largely based on how they were managed the previous year.

Installing the necessary drainage tile on your farm often requires a tile main to direct water through an underground drain tile system and then through a neighbor’s property to reach a drainage ditch.

American agriculture depends on a stable and affordable supply of fertilizer to remain productive and competitive.

From the 2026 National FFA Week to district proficiency awards, this past month has been full of successes across the state.

National Ag Day is March 24, with the theme, “Together We Grow.”

Farming and ranching are deeply rewarding, but come with physical demands and stress that can take a toll on long-term health.

Improving farm drainage tiles in Illinois can be very challenging because most farmland is owned by absentee landowners rather than by the farmer.

My grandfather taught me that if something has been good to you, it’s your responsibility to give back to it and leave things better than you found them.

From conferences to company visits, the Illinois FFA major state officers have stayed very busy over the past month.

To any farmer who feels these frustrations, I want to begin my term as Indiana Corn Growers Association president by offering a hand of help and hope. You are not alone.

For many farm families in Indiana, the farm represents both legacy and livelihood. Protecting valuable assets through insurance is essential, but high input costs and low commodity prices are adding strain to already tight farm budgets.

Indiana pork farmers are concerned about House Bill 1137, which would move our state toward food regulations similar to those used in Europe.

Better health begins on your plate — the Dietary Guidelines for Americans offer a flexible, affordable and attainable framework meant to guide better choices, not dictate exact meals or drain a budget.

Today’s rock-bottom feed prices cancel out payments that would otherwise help us get through the struggles that too-low milk prices bring with them.

Draining excess water from farm fields in Illinois is vital to food and renewable fuel production. However, the lack of adequate farm drainage is a serious problem.

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

Farm drain tiles are vitally crucial to the success of Illinois crop production. These underground drainage systems help provide good soil-based crop growing conditions by removing excess water from the soil.

With lower grain prices, higher interest rates and increased production costs, some farms are facing a challenging financial situation.

January is a natural time to reflect back, think forward and set the stage for a more resilient grazing season.

As the Midwest agriculture sector faces another year of low profits, farmers need to take a closer look at their farm balance sheet, which is a snapshot of their financial condition on a specific day.