Pesticides are an important tool for farmers, protecting billions of dollars in damages each year from weeds, insects and other pests.

State lawmakers approved a $55.9 billion budget that included current-level funding for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

State funding appropriations for Soil and Water Conservation Districts were kept at current levels for the third consecutive year, while legislation to create a sustainable funding source for the agency stalled.

Deidra Roell is a fifth-generation grain farmer in Washington County in southern Indiana.

Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator Kathryn Seebruck, “Talking Crop” is a row crop production podcast, with episodes occurring every other week during the growing season between May and September.

Despite the fluctuation in available funding, farmers are still encouraged to utilize the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

A demonstration farm dedicated to farmer-focused research designed to answer real-world questions is into its sophomore year.

USDA and software company Palantir Technologies announced the signing ‌of a $300 million blanket purchase agreement.

Expanding access to American-grown fuels is one more way agriculture can help keep our country moving.

The Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District will host a Toolshed Talk on June 23 to learn about current weed and pest control measures and how conservation can help control weeds and other pests on the farm.

In response to recent dust storms in central Illinois and across the Midwest, in-field research is underway focusing on soil conservation and production.

Brad Zimmerman’s father, Phil, was an early adopter of no-till and always looking for ways to improve his farm. He is now carrying on the idea of looking outside the box with an even more holistic approach to crop production that focuses on plant and soil health.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture will distribute more than $796,000 over the next three years to expand access to fresh, locally grown produce and boost the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition and the Illinois Forage and Grassland Council will host the 2026 Heart of America Grazing Conference on July 15–16 in Effingham.

Complete certification early to avoid interfering with tile installation.

Illinois agricultural producers impacted by recent severe weather — including tornadoes, straight-line winds and hail — can access technical and financial assistance from the USDA.

After years of economic pressure, farm families need the stability and certainty that comes with a new, modernized farm bill.

Illinois Farm Bureau will host 14 Nutrient Stewardship Field Days this summer for farmers and industry partners to collaborate and discuss ongoing research and innovative approaches to nutrient stewardship.

You’d think that the three extra years Congress has taken to update the 2018 farm bill might mean it stumbled upon solutions to today’s falling farm income, sagging ag exports, the need for more federal bailouts and the White House’s bubble-gum-and-baling-wire trade policy.

Mark Read has been involved in his community in a variety of roles over the years, and after retiring from farming, he was able to expand his volunteer work to well beyond north-central Illinois.

The U.S. House passed a new farm bill after the agriculture industry has operated for the past eight years under the previous legislation that included three extensions.

When Jay Whalen was hired as a seed specialist 17 years ago, he began using his farm for testing the company’s various products.

Rather than treating wetlands as an obstacle, mitigation gives farmers a defined, documented pathway to move forward without jeopardizing their standing with federal farm programs.

Indiana Farm Bureau awarded five scholarships to incoming or current college students pursuing careers in agriculture.

Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced the acquisition of 122.4 acres of land that will become the newest addition to Yellowwood State Forest.

Like other farmers across the nation, my work is not a job, but a calling.

For generations, farmers and ranchers have been the backbone of rural communities and a driving force in our nation’s economy.

Land in the Midwest is not just dirt. It’s legacy, livelihood and, increasingly, a line in the sand.

In its program-slashing 2027 Department of Agriculture budget plan, the White House hoped to head off sure-to-come complaints by tying spending cuts to that handy whipping boy, big bad government.

A “From Field Tile to Tap” tour demonstrated what farmers can do on their farms to protect drinking water sources downstream.

Farmland values remain resilient in spite of a cooling agricultural economy, according to the latest installment of the Maximizing Your Farmland Series presented by Halderman.

Charlie Meier is quick to point out that had it not been for his involvement with FFA and 4-H as a youngster, he would not be a state representative.

Precision Conservation Management has been selected as a recipient of funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Conservation Partners Program, part of $8.7 million awarded nationwide to support on-the-ground conservation efforts.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is relaunching the Infield Conservation for Operationalizing Vital Ecosystem Resilience, or I-COVER, Program to promote the early establishment of cover crops using new techniques or technology.

Weed resistance is a problem for many corn and soybean farmers that is likely to continue.

It is important to take time to evaluate field conditions early in the spring, especially the soil moisture status, says Jim Henry.

Greg and Janis Thoren are the recipients of the 2026 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award.

The dairy checkoff’s new online tool is designed to help dairy farmers and their advisers more easily identify grants and funding opportunities for conservation and on-farm improvements.

Federal and Illinois guidelines for over-the-top dicamba applications on soybeans have been set for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons.

The “I” states each lost several hundred farms from 2024 to 2025, along with declines in acreage, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Land in Farms report.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has now sharply lowered its 2025 farm income outlook by $25 billion, reinforcing that this downturn is deeper and more persistent than many anticipated.

The September-seeded rye really greened up with the rain and temperatures, so some grazing may be taking place soon.

While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act made an important investment in strengthening the farm safety net, it did not replace the need for a new, modernized farm bill.

The farm bill moved through the House Agriculture Committee with a 34-17 bipartisan vote, encouraging ag organizations that have been worried about the bill’s uncertain future.

Illinois Farm Bureau will host five Nutrient Stewardship Field Days this spring for farmers and industry partners to collaborate and discuss ongoing research and innovative approaches to nutrient stewardship.

An acreage swing toward more soybeans and less corn in the upcoming growing season is forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources program is designed to be free, straightforward, voluntary and locally relevant.

Growing winter forage can improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, add organic matter, break up compaction and provide livestock feed.

For over 20 years, Doug Winter has been dedicated to representing and advocating on behalf of soybean growers at the state, national and international levels.

Illinois Soybean Growers hosted an Agriculture Awareness Day at the Illinois State Capitol on Feb. 18.