Farmers can deduct the residual fertility value on newly purchased or inherited land. A soil analysis and records of past treatments are needed to claim the deduction.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program aimed at helping American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.

The Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District will hold its 81st annual meeting from 8 to 10 a.m. Jan. 15 at Pontiac Elks Club, 459 Elks Club Rd.

In addition to growing food organically, Marty Travis works with numerous Illinois farmers to provide marketing and distribution services that connect them to numerous buyers.

It’s time to come inside and learn something. The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition will be sponsoring several webinars this winter.

Farmers have options they can implement prior to the end of the year to impact the amount of taxes they will owe for 2025.

The Illinois Milk Producers Association recently recognized Amy Hildebrandt and Tony, Walt and Bobby Graves for their leadership, stewardship and excellence in the dairy industry during the organization’s 2025 annual awards program.

Precision Conservation Management has announced a new supply chain partnership with Kraft Heinz that will support Illinois farmers who implement in-field conservation practices like cover crops, reduced tillage and nitrogen fertilizer reductions.

Biofuels, like E15, are boosting farm businesses, improving the environment and reducing costs at the pump.

Cover crops can be planted between periods of cash crop production to improve soil health, as well as provide insect control, weed control and conserve moisture in the soil.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association announced that Laura Lant, an agronomist at Midwest Grass & Forage in Macomb, received the Mike Plumer Environmental Excellence Award at the organization’s annual meeting.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association and Precision Conservation Management presented the 2026 Randy Stauffer Stewardship Award to Whalen Farms.

Employment opportunities are strong for college graduates with degrees in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and the environment, according to a report out Purdue University.

Having a well-written farm lease is vital in today’s farm rental marketplace.

Jim Henry explains how effective planning and decision-making now can significantly impact your success in the 2026 growing season.

As the fall harvest season comes to a close, farmers are carefully studying their balance sheets.

After college, Marcus Maier got a full-time job, but he still had the notion of joining the Army in the back of his mind.

Joe Ricker founded Veterans IN Farming to provide veterans with practical training, skills and support to succeed on a farm or agribusiness.

Two farms were honored with the inaugural Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing Stewardship Award, presented by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing.

Working with consumers who want to learn more about how their food is produced sparked Dan Sanderson to write a book about his regenerative farming practices.

Global agriculture company Alltech broke ground on a new $4.6 million, 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will produce biological fertilizers and crop inputs.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is accepting nominations for the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Awards.

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

A company that offers an ocean-sourced limestone replacement is expanding into the Midwest for farmers.

McDonald’s said it plans to invest $200 million over the next seven years to promote regenerative agriculture practices on cattle ranches.

Indiana’s Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program is now accepting applications.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition has released a new “How-To” Video Series designed to give livestock producers quick, practical tools to improve grazing systems and pasture management.

With a record wheat harvest this summer and a potential record corn crop harvest just ahead, 2025 has been a good production year for Will Swope.

An investment in farm drainage tile can boost crop yields, reduce financial risk and ultimately increase the long-term profitability of your farm.

Dennis Bowman was recently named recipient of the 2025 Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Award in recognition of his exemplary service as a go-to resource for cutting-edge agricultural technology.

Learning about regenerative farming practices triggered a love of farming for Jessica Davies.

The United Soybean Board tightened its budget belt for the new fiscal year by prioritizing high-impact projects with better return on investment for farmers.

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

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.

The Make American Healthy Again Commission released is policy recommendation aimed at addressing chronic childhood disease.

Dan Sanderson is the recipient of the 2025 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award.

The moderate drought we are back in has hastened the row crop maturation and held back everything else needing a drink.

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.

Eliot Clay didn’t know it in his youth but his later career as an advocate for conservation was in his DNA.

Why wouldn’t you want to farm the land in a way that builds soil biodiversity, delivers a return on investment and restores wildlife habitat?

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

Numerous organizations sharing common goals aimed at protecting soil health and water quality joined in a “Cultivate Connections” luncheon during Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair.

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

The Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District will host a Women in Ag meeting — Specialty Crop Production and Our Soils.

We think now in our second rotation that things are improving, not just from better practices from us, but from the steers perhaps having less anxiety about what and where they are grazing.

One weather event completely changed the course of my farming operation. I was driving down the road and had to slow down because something was on the road — it was soil from our field.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council pulled together experienced farmers to volunteer in a program called Farm Advisors. These farmers want to share with others what has — and hasn’t — worked on their farms.

Incorporating cover crops into their regenerative farming system has been a learning process for the Riskedal family this spring.

Even small Midwestern farms can harness the power of AI to boost productivity without breaking the bank.

Chris Hoffman is president of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. He is a first-generation hog and chicken farmer.