Farmland

For U.S. farmers and ranchers, May 22 was right out of a Dickens novel: It was the best of days and the worst of days.

Women who own or manage farmland or who have an interest in farming are invited to a Learning Circle hosted by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

The Dave and Donna Scanlon family was proud to receive the Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of more than 100 years of agricultural heritage.

These days, it seems we’re hearing more and more talk about “big ag.”

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

In the first quarter of 2025, the 7th Federal Reserve District’s agricultural land values saw a 1% increase from a year ago, and “good” farmland values rose 4% from the fourth quarter of 2024 on average across five states.

Understanding Illinois property tax calculations is complex and confusing. Properties such as personal residences are taxed based on fair market value.

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

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.

Farmer optimism about the ag economy improved in April, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

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.

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

Heading into this year, most U.S. farmers were hoping to break even or maybe record a small profit if they could find a way to limit their sky-high costs.

Although ag media had been reporting about the impact of “forever chemicals” for several years, it was not until NewsNation did a series of reports that mainstream media outlets took notice.

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

As more than 1,000 FFA members and their teachers visited the Statehouse, a longtime advocate for those wearing the blue jackets reminisced about how the organization impacted his life.

The Illinois Soybean Association has named six agronomic professionals to its 2025 IL Soy Envoy class.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County will host a seminar to explain how an agricultural conservation easement is the only way to ensure that your farm will never be developed.

Beyond a comprehensive look at farmland values, the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers’ annual report also features other tidbits of interest in each Prairie State region.

Farmers were less optimistic about the agriculture economy in March due to trade and farm policy concerns, according to the latest reading of the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

Expectations a year ago that farmland prices have plateaued became reality through 2024 — and farm managers and rural appraisers expect more of the same this year.

The current political news brings concerning thoughts about the economic future of farming as we are faced with higher interest rates, lower grain prices and import markets at risk due to trade wars and tariffs.

American Farmland Trust focuses on protecting farmland, keeping farmers on the land and promoting sound farming practices.

The multiyear streak of farmland value increases ended in 2024, according to a report by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Farmers who are already struggling to make a profit are being furthered burdened by high tax rates on land.

Economists from Purdue University discussed the role of technology in improving farm profitability at the 2025 Commodity Classic.

In reviewing my February writing, I realize that quite a few things actually were finished or at least started in the last month — I am pleased to report that!

Uncertainty in both commodity prices and input prices is making farmers’ already tough job even more difficult.

The Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers honored two individuals for their contributions to agriculture and the profession at the group’s recent annual meeting.

Indiana and Iowa saw year-over-year decreases in foreign ownership of agricultural acres while Illinois increased, according a new report.

As farmers develop a financial plan for their operation it is important they determine where they are, where they want to go and accurate numbers about their business.

The Half Century of Progress farm show announced it has reached an agreement with the Rantoul National Aviation Center to host the organization’s next three shows, planned for 2025, 2027 and 2029.

It is a new day for agriculture, said Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Farmers were more optimistic about the ag economy in February, according to the latest reading of the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

The Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers’ annual Land Values Conference will be held March 27.

The number of monarch butterflies spending the winter in the western United States has dropped to its second-lowest mark in nearly three decades as pesticides, diminishing habitat and climate change take their toll on the beloved pollinator.

Lawmakers and farmers mingled at the Indiana Statehouse to enjoy a bacon brunch and discuss farm policies.

New Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers officers were installed at the group’s annual conference.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Executive Committee approved the organization’s policy priorities at CattleCon 2025.

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture set its federal policy focus for 2025, prioritizing five key issues.

On rural Texas farmland, beneath hundreds of rows of solar panels, a troop of stocky sheep rummage through pasture, casually bumping into one another as they remain committed to a single task: chewing grass.

After a four-year run of substantial gains, agricultural land values in the Seventh Federal Reserve District saw a 1% annual decrease.

It’s common knowledge that weeds impact cash crop yields, but they can also impact farmland values.

Over his 30-year career, Tim Harris has never strayed far from his multigenerational family farm southeast of Princeton, but his volunteer work for various organizations and his impact expands far beyond Bureau County.

Illinois agricultural and forestry producers who want to address or improve natural resources are encouraged to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

With a new Congress and administration sworn in, it’s time to get back to work in Washington. Just like there’s never a shortage of work to be done on the farm, there’s a full list of issues that our lawmakers need to tackle.

Corn and soybean prices for this marketing year are projected below the 20-year average, but expenses aren’t following the trend.

Think water is not an issue in Indiana or the Midwest, like it is in Arizona or California? Think again, cautioned Brianna Schroeder, a partner at Janzen Schroeder Ag Law, during an educational seminar at the Fort Wayne Farm Show.

A major grower said it was abandoning its citrus growing operations, reflecting the headwinds Florida’s signature crops are facing following a series of hurricanes and tree diseases.