debugging field crop production

If we were to look at the records of planting date and weather from 2024 without knowing the yields, we might not guess that corn yield beat and soybean tied previous yield records for Illinois. Here, we’ll take a quick look at the 2024 growing season, and consider whether we might apply lessons from it as we manage crops in 2025. Growing season weather and crop conditions Illinois weather was on its usual rollercoaster in 2024: February was dry,…

Navigating 2025 Crop Insurance Choices WEBINAR REGISTRATION March 3, 2025 | 11:00 AM – Noon Central –  Gary Schnitkey and Nick Paulson will provide comprehensive analysis of 2025 crop insurance alternatives for Illinois grain producers. The session will examine coverage levels, product types, and supplemental options including SCO (Supplemental Coverage Option). Special attention will be given to the interaction between crop insurance choices and farm program decisions, particularly how PLC enrollment affects SCO eligibility.…

The Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Department of Agriculture received a special allocation of EQIP funding. This allocation was not tied to the Inflation Reduction Act and is not impacted by any freezes, but the catch is farmers need to work with their local NRCS office by FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28th. The two were able to bring $15M into Illinois to address the Dust Storms and Nutrient Loss Reduction efforts. Ranking for these funds will be elevated if your farm is in either the defined Dust Storm Region or a priority nitrogen or phosphorus watershed.…

REGISTER TODAY $40/person Tuesday March 4, 2025 Doors Open at 7:30am central, 8:30am eastern Coffee and Beef House Cinnamon Rolls Wrap up by 3:00pm central, 4:00pm eastern Beef House Restaurant 16501 North State Road 63 Covington, IN 47932 If you have questions contact Todd Gleason. tgleason@illinois.edu or 217-333-9697 Morning Session – Grain Market Fundamentals with Joe Janzen, U of Illinois – South America Production Update with Joana Colussi, U of Illinois –…