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

Developing a livestock grazing plan during the initial design of solar projects helps to eliminate future problems.

I’m hustling to keep up with the grass growth and mow under the fence to keep the volts up and my high school help went back to school.

Nathaniel will be marketing his first-ever pastured organic broiler crop as his entrepreneurial debut.

Plant succession is a process where one plant community replaces another.

At the Half Century of Progress, the past and present of agriculture come together. It’s a celebration of heritage and hard work — the same values that have guided Beck’s for generations.

In the case of biological crop inputs, there are many handling, storage and management considerations regarding on-farm implementation. Fortunately, farmers do have resources to help navigate the novelty of biologicals.

The pruning of roots by corn rootworms can have a significant impact on yields.

Wheat harvest is complete on Riskedal Family Farms and cover crops have been planted that will be grazed by cattle starting in September.

How should a farmer prepare for an agronomy service call when there is a problem with the crop growing in the field?

Beck’s has acquired Andrews Farm and Seed in Carthage, Missouri — the latest step in the company’s expansion efforts.

Farmers will have a new option for controlling corn rootworms with Syngenta’s Opello insecticide.

Often called the $1 billion beetle, corn rootworm pressure is costly from both control costs and yield loss.

With recent wildfires in the western United States and Canada, smoke has made its way to the Midwest. It particularly may affect already vulnerable crops.

Understanding the environment of a field can help farmers choose the best soybean variety, as well as make management decisions.

The DEKALB and Asgrow seed brands are launching 43 new products for 2026 that provide exclusive genetics and advanced trait protection to help farmers maximize performance in their fields.

Drone technology offers a fast, reliable way to assess crop stands — one of the most important factors influencing yield potential, according to Pioneer District Sales Manager Jesse Moch.

Of the two predominant sources of resistance for soybean cyst nematode, PI 88788 is used in over 90% of the commercial soybean varieties today. However, as with most products used to control insects or diseases over time, those same pests develop resistance.

A nutritional naturally-derived seed treatment that delivers nutrients to support healthy corn emergence awaits regulatory approval.

With just a couple months left until harvest, fields across the region are in the height of growing season.

Beck’s, the largest family-owned retail seed company in the United States, announced a strategic partnership with Matt Bennett, a nationally recognized grain marketing analyst, consultant and farmer from central Illinois.

Although Elaina and Garrett Fales have no farming background, they have developed a cut flower production farm that markets primarily to florists.

In the latest AgriNews AgriMinute podcast, Jim Henry details how to use data to make decisions.

It never ceases to amaze me how otherwise rational adults can turn into combative middle schoolers the moment certain hot-button topics hit the table.

William Henert spends a significant amount of his time during this period of the growing season spraying crop protection products on the corn, soybean and seed corn crops on the northern Illinois farm.

Beck’s has acquired a Syngenta corn seed production facility in central Nebraska, growing its marketing area in the region.

Connect with crop experts and innovators during the Illinois Wheat Association’s annual Summer Wheat Forum.

By having the HeatSiecker patches on this year, it allowed for digital alerts of estrus and not having to spend as much time visually observing the cows in person.

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

GDM, a global plant genetics company committed to empowering farmers and advancing global agriculture, announced an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in AgReliant Genetics, a leading North American provider of corn and soybean seeds.

Timing sure was tricky this year and continues to be an issue with spraying and sidedressing the crops.

Entries are being accepted for the World Forage Analysis Superbowl, which is open to all forage producers across North America.

Sidedressing anhydrous ammonia and herbicide applications are the focus for the Henert family now that they are almost done with planting.

This is the second in a series of columns featuring conversations with state Farm Bureau presidents about current issues in agriculture.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition has worked successfully through the tension of whether it would still have grant funds for events after the days of DOGE.

The recently released MAHA report was the work product of the commission established by President Donald Trump’s executive order to “Make America Healthy Again.”

In an effort to expand the availability of fresh, locally-grown produce and strengthen the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department of Agriculture plans to distribute more than $679,000 over a three-year period.

Beck’s announced that it is extending its partnership with the National Tractor Pullers Association through 2027.

Most of the crops are planted in the northern two-thirds of Illinois, but multiple bouts of heavy rains in the southern part of the state have slowed many farmers to a standstill.

Farmer Dan Glessing isn’t ready to get too upset over President Donald Trump’s trade wars.

Founders Pledge announced a $1.02 million gift from an anonymous donor to fund the Feed the Future Soybean Innovation Lab at the University of Illinois for another year.

Students at Grant Park learned how to “bend don’t break” during a project developed by the Grant Park FFA Chapter that focused on mental health.

Corn and soybeans are planted at the same time on the Henert farm.

Planting season is quickly approaching, and much of the country is experiencing erratic weather patterns.

Spring planting is just getting started, so hopefully we will not see any major breakdowns.

On any given day, Dan Parker could be advocating for agriculture with legislators, helping his daughters with 4-H projects, supporting the local FFA chapter, selling seed, or working on the farm.

Beck’s announced that construction is underway for a new 96,000-square-foot facility in south-central Minnesota, in addition to the existing research and breeding program base.

We’re delivering seed today. We have a couple nice days here at the beginning of the week before it rains again.

Agricultural operations in Illinois have been significantly impacted by recent severe weather, tornadoes and flooding.

To paraphrase Forrest Gump, spring is like a box of chocolate — you never know what you’re going to get.