What is the Ideal Fall Planting Date for Cover Crops?
It's August, and farmers are preparing for harvest, which for some includes planting cover crops. What is the ideal fall planting date and seeding rate for planting cereal rye or clover cover crops in Illinois? Nathan Johanning, Extension Educator with the University of Illinois, has been conducting field trials across the state to answer these questions.
Illinois Farmers Needed: Contribute to Research on Conservation Practices
Prof. Kaiyu Guan’s team at the University of Illinois seeks 20 farmers for a study on conservation practices, offering analysis of the environmental benefits of adopting major climate-smart methods.
Field Talk: Cover Crop Impacts on Soil and Water Management
John Pike, CCA, and Independent Research Agronomist and Consultant, presents a rainfall simulator demonstration and discusses the impact of cover crops on soil and water management.
Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership Hosts 2024 Risk Management Conference
Registration is now open for the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership’s third biennial Risk Management Conference, a three-part webinar series tackling emerging and future threats to farm resiliency and how conservation practices can help mitigate those risks.
Illinois Leopold Conservation Award Finalists Selected
Three finalists for the 2024 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award have been announced. This prestigious award celebrates farmers and forestland owners dedicated to exceptional soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat management. The winner, to be announced at this summer’s Illinois State Fair, will receive $10,000 and have their conservation story showcased in a video and other outreach.
Crop/Livestock Integration In Practice: Farms Share Their Experiences
During this field day in Iroquois County, the integration of crops and livestock will be showcased, highlighting the grazing of crop residues, cover crops, and annual forages. Host farmers will demonstrate how livestock integration operates on their farms and discuss its benefits for both soil health and the balance sheet.
Register for Good Idea Shop Talks
Want to connect with other producers using conservation practices? Join the Good Idea Shop Talks, a free virtual meet-up series where you can share ideas and learn information on enhancing soil and water resources, as well as overcoming on-farm challenges.
Seven Recipients of Good Idea Mini-Grants to Implement Edge-of-Field Practices on Midwest Farms and Share Their Stories
Seven teams of farmers and farm advisors have received funding from Good Idea Mini-Grants. Each team was granted up to $8,000 to implement edge-of-field practices aimed at reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff from farm fields into local waterways.
Wet Conditions Delay Planting as Other Regions Race to the Finish
In the latest ILSoyAdvisor podcast, Abigail Peterson, CCA, and Stephanie Porter, CCA, from Illinois Soybean Association discuss the current planting and crop conditions in Illinois. They cover mid-May to June soybean planting recommendations and address the latest issues with weeds, cover crop termination, and pests.
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