Recent News

Understanding Budget Implications of Cover Crops

Farmers remain under pressure to adopt practices that will reduce nutrient losses from their fields and cover crops are considered the most effective in-field practice for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus losses (farmdoc daily, July 6, 2016; Illinois NLRS, 2015).  As the benefits of adopting cover crop practices become better known and understood, including for nutrient loss reduction and soil health, adoption rates...

Planning Ahead… Strategic Residual Herbicide

Planning to plant covers this fall? Plan your residual herbicide strategy accordingly. The increased adoption of soil residual herbicides in soybeans to control herbicide resistant weeds could result in carryover into fall planted cover crops. If you plan to plant covers this fall and had to adjust your herbicide program this spring it is a good idea to recognize the...

Precision Conservation Management Hires New Conservation Specialist and Creates “Habitat Conservation Connection” Program

Precision Conservation Management Hires New Conservation Specialist Serving Piatt, DeWitt, and Macon Counties MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS - David Fulton, is a new hire for Precision Conservation Management (PCM) Conservation Specialist serving Piatt, DeWitt, and Macon Counties with an emphasis on the Upper Sangamon River Watershed. Fulton grew up on a small farm outside of Lincoln, Illinois. While raising livestock for FFA...

Successful Management on Risky Business!

The Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Partnership held a state-wide Risk Management Conference on June 19th in Normal, Illinois. Farmers and their advisors came together to talk about soil health and water management from a risk management perspective through presentations, discussion panels, and interactive conversations about weather, production resiliency, economics, risk management, business drivers, and sustainability. Eric Snodgrass was our master of ceremonies...

Precision Conservation Management is making an impact in Illinois! Here’s an update from the PCM Director, Dr. Laura Gentry

PCM Partners, Happy Spring! We hope that planting season finds everyone well. PCM Specialists were busy this winter delivering Resource Analysis and Assessment Plans (RAAPs) to our 117 PCM cooperators in Illinois.  In Kentucky, Chris Stewart has enrolled 21 farmers and we are working to develop their RAAP reports and provide conservation opportunities for them.  We hosted 3 PCM quarterly meetings this winter...

Risk Management Conference Only Two Weeks Away!

In two weeks, join the members of the Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Partnership for this state-wide Risk Management Conference on June 19th in Normal, Illinois. If you haven't already registered, CLICK HERE! We’ll be bringing in farmers and their advisors to talk about soil health and water management from a risk management perspective through presentations, discussion panels, and interactive conversations about weather,...