Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association

A 2025 outlook on crop protection products, fertilizer and government regulations was presented at the recent 4R Field Talk, hosted by the Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association.

Examples of typical and not-so-common cover crops used in corn and soybean rotations were featured in a recent plot tour on the Farm Progress Show grounds.

The Illinois Wheat Association Checkoff Committee is circulating petitions for a wheat checkoff program in the state. The proposal calls for a 1.5 cent checkoff per bushel of wheat sold.

A new nutrient applicator with the ability to spread fertilizer at wider widths, higher rates and faster speed debuted at the Midwest Ag Industries Exposition.

Eric Miller grows more than corn, full-season and double-crop soybeans and wheat on his Piatt County farm.

Bayer CropScience submitted an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a new product containing dicamba herbicide that would remove an over-the-top application in soybeans.

Extensive multiyear, in-field trials found a key to unlocking the challenge of meeting the final goal of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.

Swings in fertilizer prices have been the norm the past several years, swayed primarily by global market issues.

The Illinois Soybean Association, together with Illinois’ other commodity and agriculture organizations, is once again calling for nominations to the Illinois 20 Under 40 Awards.

The second annual Illinois Ag Retail Survey is underway to collect data on nutrient management practices.

The 2025 interim goals set by the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy are fast-approaching, but the numbers needed are still not there.

After undergoing a rigorous judging process, 20 farmers were identified as the second class of Illinois 20 Under 40 award winners.

After decades of advocacy, education, diligence and tenacity, the Illinois Corn Growers Association celebrated the groundbreaking of brand-new, 1,200-foot Lock 25 along the Mississippi River near Winfield, Missouri.

The shortage of truck drivers eased slightly across the nation last year compared to 2021. But the workforce shortage remains a top concern of the transportation sector for 2023.

The supply of fertilizer is improving around the world following shocks to the system last year.

The Illinois Soybean Association and its partners are honored to continue the Illinois 20 Under 40 recognition program in 2023. The program celebrates 20 young farmers under 40 for their work in the agricultural community and beyond.

New nitrogen rate verification trials were introduced last year and researchers believe pairing that data with the current database will help fine-tune the recommendations.

John Pike’s career took some unexpected turns and he’s loved every bit of it. Pike was awarded the 2023 ILSoyAdvisor Soybean Master Adviser Award and was recognized at the Illinois Soybean Association’s Soybean Summit.

Supplies and transportation were costly major roadblocks for the agriculture input industry and farmers in 2022 and highlight the connection between the global market and farm gate.

With the interim nutrient loss reduction goals deadline just two years away, agriculture groups are teaming up to collect verified information of what efforts are underway in fields.

Anhydrous ammonia safety courses will begin at several locations across Illinois. The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association partnered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to offer the mandatory safety courses throughout the state.

The 4R Field Day Alliance will host an event in Piatt County on Sept. 15. The nutrient stewardship field day will be on the Eric Miller farm near Hammond, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

In a time of high input prices, vigilant management of fertilizer inputs is more important than ever to maximize net returns and remain environmentally conscientious.

Several bills are in the Illinois General Assembly hoppers that would impact agricultural production if approved. Kevin Johnson, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association president, hosted a recent webinar to give a legislative update on the legislative proposals.

Illinois is known for two things: the high-quality products it feeds to the world and the high-quality growers who make it happen.

How much nitrogen is enough or too much is a common question across generations in the Corn Belt, more so now than ever in this climate of high fertilizer costs and continued environmental concerns.

Illinois family farmers are working to preserve the soil and water on their farms for future generations by investing in research and implementation of conservation practices around the state.

While Dan Schaefer was honored as the recipient of the Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award, his thoughts were about the work done by numerous certified crop advisers throughout Illinois.

The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association’s convention returned after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Nitrogen provides the fuel to feed the corn plant’s engine and meeting that need efficiently is at the forefront, particularly this year with price spikes and supply concerns.

High fertilizer prices, supply shortages and the weather converged this fall as farmers turn their focus toward nutrient management plans for the 2022 crop.

Mandatory anhydrous ammonia safety training is available online by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Will farmers be able to secure adequate supplies of popular row crop herbicides going into 2022? “The hot topic right now is lack of supply for certain products going into next season,” said Chad Threewits, Syngenta agronomy service representative for Indiana.

Working together and keeping an open dialog were common themes during Jean Payne’s leadership at the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, and those qualities were reiterated at her retirement party.

The Midwest Ag Industries Exposition celebrates its 40th anniversary Aug. 25-26 at the McLean County Fairgrounds.

Illinois growers are invited to enroll in Anhydrous Ammonia Certified Grower Training sessions to fulfill state requirements on mandatory safety training.

Regulations, consolidations, state budget cuts, training requirements and environmental concerns are only a snapshot of issues Jean Payne took head-on during her two-plus decades at the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association.

The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association has named KJ Johnson as its interim president. In this role, Johnson will serve as CEO. He will manage the overall operation and resources of IFCA, including oversight of regulatory and legislative issues and the development of programs that promote stewardship and safety for the nutrient and agrichemical industry.