WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TEST YOUR SOIL?
Most farmers test their soil in the fall, right after harvest. Learn why the best time to test your soil may be in the spring or early summer.
Get the jump start on the year and talk to your crop adviser or soil lab about soil testing today.
SPRING WATER SAMPLING BEGINS
The Illinois Farm Bureau is partnering with the Illinois Corn Growers Association, the Zea Mays Foundation, county Farm Bureaus, and soil and water conservation districts to offer free, confidential nitrate water testing across the state.
Visit CBMP’s events calendar to find water testing near you.
4R NITROGEN MANAGEMENT FOR THE SPRING
Higher than normal soil temperatures and precipitation in 2015 have produced similarly high nitrate levels in several major Illinois watersheds. The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA) have recommended several enhanced 4R practices for spring nitrogen application that will mitigate future nitrate runoff into these bodies of water.
Learn more about this critical issue.
FUTURE FARM: NEW, FREE ONLINE TOOLS HELPING FARMERS PLAN
A suite of tools produced by a collaboration of several Grain Belt universities is helping farmers predict the weather, using historical climate data. We interviewed Dr. Jim Angel, Illinois’ State Climatologist, who is also attached to the project.
PLAN AHEAD FOR COVER CROPS
Cover crops confer a variety of benefits to the health of your soil and water. What you plant in the spring can affect planting dates for your fall cover crops. For this and other reasons, planning for cover crops should start this spring.
NREC ANNOUNCES 2016 FUNDING
The Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council has announced its funding for several projects this year, with the aim of improving crop yields and nutrient efficiency. In total, NREC has $2.8 million available for its 26 planned projects this year, 19 of which carry over from previous years.
LEARN THESE MANURE PIT SAFETY TIPS
A manure pit ventilation demonstration at this year’s Pork Expo provided important lessons about pit gas management and safety.
Manure pit deaths are preventable, with proper training and equipment. Are you using safe practices on your farm?
IFB GOVT. AFFAIRS CONFERENCE
The Illinois Farm Bureau is hosting its annual Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference, April 6-7, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield.
This year’s conference will focus on water quality, local government, and leadership. Workshop sessions will also highlight agricultural challenges from the state and federal governments.
REMINDER: CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING
The last date to apply for crop insurance covering spring barley, burley tobacco, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, dry beans, forage seeding, grain sorghum, green peas, hybrid seed corn, oats, popcorn, potatoes, processing beans, processing pumpkins, processing sweet corn, processing tomatoes, soybeans and sugarbeets is March 15.
Click here for more information.
This is a reprint of the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices Quarterly Newsletter. To learn more about the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices, visit their website.
About the Author: Illinois Council on Best Management Practices
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