Corn and soybeans struggled for a week or two after planting during the flash drought, but a few passing showers have sent corn past "knee-high by Fourth of July" by leaps and bounds.

Illinois agricultural producers impacted by recent severe weather — including tornadoes, straight-line winds and hail — can access technical and financial assistance from the USDA.

As we continue the great ride with cattle prices we still must do some things well to be as profitable as possible.

Disaster assistance for producers and training new staff has been among the many focuses of the Farm Service Agency’s Illinois offices over the last several months.

A wind farm in southwest Iowa suffered a direct hit from a powerful tornado that crumpled five of the massive, power-producing towers, including one that burst into flames. But experts say fortunately such incidents are rare.