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.

Registration is open for the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California.

From chapter visits to leadership training schools, the Illinois FFA major state officers have been “Sparking Interest” in FFA and the agriculture industry as a whole.

Today’s beef prices are not being determined by competitive market forces.

As politicians continue to bicker and blame during the government shutdown, fields across the Midwest are a flurry of harvest activity.

Reporting on something doesn’t mean endorsing it. It means recognizing that the issue exists, that it matters and that the audience deserves to understand all sides of it — even the ones that make us uncomfortable.

This federal shutdown could not come at a worse time for the farm economy.

Cuts to food assistance, scheduled to begin Nov. 1, will hit the nation’s poor hard and its rural poor the hardest.

It might not come up much at the grain elevator or after church potlucks, but it is something all of us who live out here where the pavement ends need to embrace: cybersecurity.

Now is the time to rebuild our U.S. cattle industry — and a new tariff rate quotas system can help us do it.

Fall field trips are in full swing for children and their teachers.

History isn’t just a record of what once was. It’s a guide for what could be, if we fail to learn from the mistakes of those who came before us.

America continues to hand more of the global soy export market to Brazil, South America’s unchallenged soybean powerhouse.

Farmers are facing a tough fall and, unfortunately, it could get tougher if we don’t resolve current trade disputes soon.

Farmers, ranchers and others living in rural America don’t have time for partisan games. That is why I believe the new Rural Health Transformation Program deserves a closer look.

While my father and mother were far from apolitical, neither allowed any signs on our dairy farm. The reason was “the land’s for crops, the barns for cows and politics is for politicians.”

Imports make up more than 22% of U.S. beef consumption — more than double what it was just over a generation ago.

Following the written contract and Illinois statutes is essential even when the termination is on friendly terms.

We are looking for innovative ideas to strengthen our communities and bring the next generation to the farm to ensure our nation continues to have a safe, healthy food supply.

The sobering reality is that many farmers are hurting. Talk to any farmer who grows row crops, and he or she will tell you they’re struggling with the lowest prices in almost 20 years.

Even though the White House remains up while farmers are decidedly down, some farm groups are starting to recognize that down isn’t up anymore.

This week is National Farm Safety and Health Week, but let’s be honest — every week should be.

It takes a lot to shake a farmer or rancher. The definition of their worst day is oftentimes the type of day that would bring anyone to their knees and maybe even keep them down.

Sending the nation’s dwindling number of farmers ever-bigger federal checks isn’t a solution. It is, in fact, an admission of failure.

Anyone who’s worked the land or run a small-town business knows luck might play a role, but it never works alone.

Foreign imports are gutting U.S. ranching. The American Beef Labeling Act would finally let shoppers choose American beef.

From driving the tractor to cleaning the barns, and from keeping the books to checking the fences, everyone on the farm has an important role to play.

It’s time for Congress to act now to make critical biofuels available year-round.

There’s no doubt that an introduction of New World screwworm, which is advancing northward from Central America and through Mexico, would have a devastating impact on America’s livestock, wildlife and people.

How did we get to the point where we need a “Make America Healthy Again” campaign? Here’s one career dairyman’s perspective.

I think we can all agree that the goal of improving health outcomes is a worthy goal — and it is supported by America’s farmers and ranchers.

I can’t control what others say — but I can choose to speak up, share facts and encourage curiosity over fear.

After years of rising input costs and volatile markets, Illinois farmers finally have updated farm policy that reflects their needs in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” landmark legislation that delivers real, meaningful wins for Illinois farmers.

September usually marks a turning point. Summer turns to fall, vacation turns to school and the green hope and promise of growing crops turns into the yellow and gold of harvest. This month feels different, though.

Autumn is just around the corner, and it’s a busy season on the farm and in Farm Bureau. Harvest is well underway, Congress is heading back into session, and Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy is shaping up for the new year.

A recent change in climate policy by the Trump administration threatens to change everything on earth — from the fast-warming planet itself to all the life on it.

This year’s Farm Progress Show was all about the future — autonomy, efficiency and sustainability were on full display.

Brazilian beef imports are accelerating the ongoing contraction of the U.S. cattle industry by displacing domestic cattle producers, their cattle and domestic feedlots — and this is weakening America’s ability to be self-reliant in beef production.

Trump political appointees are pushing an unprecedented restructuring on all U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.

Now in its second year, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence honors a veteran or service member for outstanding contributions to agriculture and local communities.

Fuel-efficient SUVs and crossovers are quite popular these days, but there’s still a need for a full-size SUV that can carry up to eight passengers and tow a heavy load.

There’s something deeply gratifying about reporting on 4-H and FFA members who are raising animals, showing livestock and learning responsibility through hands-on work.

Over the years we’ve explored the environmental and economic benefits of adjusting management practices to include conservation.

Whether organic or conventional, my dad wanted me to understand how my food was grown and to appreciate the men and women who grew it.

On the southern Illinois farm of my youth, August always meant heat, humidity and the best food of the year.

If “America First” is the goal, then the American Beef Labeling Act is an integral component. You simply can’t say you’re putting America first when you’re catering to the self-interests of global corporations.

U.S. farmers and ranchers are committed to growing high-quality agricultural products and safe, nutritious food for families near and far.

This year’s U.S. corn exports show just how upside down the ag export picture is for farmers and ranchers.

A diverse cover crop mix helps build soil organic matter, increase soil water-holding capacity and infiltration, and improve nutrient use efficiency.

In small towns and rural communities across America, hunger often hides in plain sight.