Recent News
Tillage Benchmarks for Corn in Illinois
A recent University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign report posted to FarmdocDaily highlights the financial benefit of reducing tillage based on data gathered from the 300+ farmers enrolled in Illinois Corn Growers Precision Conservation Management Program. [button text="Read Full Report" link="https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2020/10/tillage-benchmarks-for-corn-in-illinois.html" style="default" size="normal" target="_self" display="inline" icon="no"]
CARBON FARMING IN ILLINOIS
CARBON FARMING IN ILLINOIS In celebration of climate week, ISAP is excited to announce a NEW fact sheet dedicated to carbon farming opportunities! Illinois has over 23 million acres of cropland suitable for adoption of practices capable of increasing soil carbon and storage such as planting cover crops and reducing tillage, presenting an exciting opportunity for Illinois farmers to offer immediate, scalable solutions to climate change. In fact, using estimates...
Three Generations of Women Steward the Land
Cindy and Ann Irhke on the farm near Roberts, IL. The important role women play in conservation and land-use decisions is gaining recognition, and so are the benefits to soil, water, and wildlife. Ann, Cindy, and Sage Ihrke are three generations of women who live and breathe conservation on their family’s farm near Roberts, Il. It started way back in 1970 when George Ihrke, a veterinarian from the south suburbs of Chicago, invested in 320 acres in...
Farmers and Communities Reap the Benefits of Planting Covers
Farmers and Communities Reap the Benefits of Planting Covers Acres planted to cover crops and enrolled in the Department of Agriculture’s “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” Program provided economic benefits to farmers in the form of a five dollar an acre discount on crop insurance premiums. The 50,000 acres enrolled in the program also provided environmental benefits to Illinois communities....
Navigating A Few ISAP Farmer Resources in the Face of COVID-19
Navigating A Few ISAP Farmer Resources in the Face of COVID-19 Many of us are being impacted by the corona-virus pandemic—especially our farmers. ISAP partners are trying to navigate this by providing aid and educational materials to those that are directly impacted in Illinois and beyond. ISAP’s foundation stems from collaboration and positive movements for improving agriculture and water quality...
Strategies to Reduce Nitrate Loss from Tile-Drained Cropland
Strategies to Reduce Nitrate Loss from Tile-Drained Cropland The recently released Illinois EPA and Department of Agriculture biennial report on Illinois’ Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) showed that nitrate and phosphorus loads, in addition to water flows, have increased statewide since 2013. While it may appear there has been no progress in reducing nutrient runoff, particularly from our farm fields,...