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Apr 17 | WILLAg Business Week Edition

  • April 17, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

WILLAg.org Radio Programming for the work week ending April 17, 2026
Geopolitical Shocks and the Nitrogen Price Squeeze
Agricultural markets this week experienced significant volatility driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, high input costs, and shifting weather patterns. A primary concern discussed throughout the week is the likelihood of farmers shifting acres from corn to soybeans due to the high costs and uncertain availability of nitrogen fertilizers. Early in the week,…

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Apr 10 | Market Review and Weather Update

  • April 10, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

WILLAg.org Radio Programming for the work week ending April 10, 2026
Commodity Markets and Geopolitical Influences
The week in commodity markets was heavily influenced by geopolitical events and energy prices, particularly the ongoing conflict with Iran. Earlier in the week, traders squared positions and moved to the sidelines ahead of a deadline with Iran, while keeping a close watch on crude oil resistance levels. Later, a temporary truce caused crude oil prices to plunge,…

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farmdoc | Crop Insurance Webinar Monday + More

  • March 2, 2025

  • Todd Gleason

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.…

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University of Illinois Extension Strategic Planning Survey

  • July 28, 2023

  • Todd Gleason

We invite you to engage in our University of Illinois Extension strategic planning process that will continue into the 2024 calendar year. 
As part of our efforts, we have created a survey that focuses on supporting Phases 1 and 2 of the planning process: 1) Assessing Our Current State and Engaging Stakeholders, and 2) Developing Our Vision and Strategic Priorities. We welcome and greatly appreciate your participation in completing the survey.  
All submissions should be submitted via the online survey,…

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An Analysis of the Proposed 4% Farmer-Premium Payment Cap

  • July 7, 2023

  • Todd Gleason


Welcome to 5-Minute Farmdoc, your go-to channel for insightful discussions on various topics related to agriculture. In today’s episode, we delve into the world of crop insurance and explore a recent proposal discussed by our colleagues from North Dakota. They suggest a change to the subsidy mechanism that assists farmers in covering the costs of crop insurance policies. This proposal aims to cap the farmer’s premium costs at 4% of the policy’s liability,…

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post on fungicides for hail damaged crops

  • July 12, 2020

  • Nathan Kleczewski

That was one heck of a storm yesterday.  Many fields throughout East central Illinois were severely affected by nickel sized hail.  Although my three year old stated that we should, “use some tape” to fix the damaged tissues, some will consider fungicide applications.  A new post on the subject can be found here. …

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Hoping for rain: crops at mid-season 2020

  • July 9, 2020

  • Emerson Nafziger

While the record will show that planting progress for both corn and soybean crops in Illinois was close to normal in 2020, heavy rainfall in May and again in early June in some places this year led to some replanting, and some ponded areas don’t have a stand. Stands are mostly good otherwise, but crop condition ratings in Illinois have been mediocre so far, with percent good + excellent percentage in the low 60s for both crops in early July.…

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New Corn Disease Articles Available

  • July 6, 2020

  • Nathan Kleczewski

We have several articles on the Illinois Field Crop Disease Hub that have some timely information for you.  First, a discussion on bacterial leaf streak of corn, which was detected last week in Illinois.  Next, part one of our series on corn nematodes.  Finally an update on corn tar spot and what to keep in mind with that disease this season.
the articles can be found by clicking this link.  If interested,…

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IDOA Statement on USEPA Cancellation Order-Use of Existing Stock

  • June 10, 2020

  • Aaron Hager

On June 3, 2020, in National Family Farm Coalition vs. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Case No. 19-70115, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a ruling immediately vacating the registrations of Xtendimax, FeXapan and Engenia, all of which contain the herbicide dicamba. On June 8, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final cancellation order for these three dicamba products. The final cancellation order can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-06/documents/final_cancellation_order_for_three_dicamba_products.pdf.
 …

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