Recent News
State of Knowledge of Soil Biodiversity
State of Knowledge of Soil Biodiversity On December 4, 2020, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization released the first global report on soil biodiversity: State of Knowledge of Soil Biodiversity. This report brings together the most current knowledge of soil life and how it supports nature and humanity. More than 300 scientists contributed to the report, which provides an...
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast – NEW EPISODE
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction podcast is produced by the University of Illinois Extension. Tune in to Episode 31, WASCOB: Dry Dams for the 21st Century. This episode features Lauren Spaniol, Resource Conservationist with the Coles County SWCD; John Pike, Agronomist/Consultant with Pike Ag, LLC; and Jon Schoonover, Professor of Forestry at SIU. As always, all of the episodes can...
The Aggregate – November 2020
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* The Aggregate Combining research, resources, learning opportunities, and current events for agriculture and conservation professionals. Tillage Benchmarks for Corn in Illinois Although the farm income outlook has improved for 2020, it is still important to watch tillage costs for both financial and soil health purposes. A recent University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign report posted to FarmdocDaily highlights the financial benefit of reducing...
Quantifying Economic and Environmental Benefits of Soil Health – American Farmland Trust
Farmers face increased erratic weather conditions while constantly trying to cut costs and improve profits all while responding to society’s call to reduce unintended water quality and climate issues associated with agriculture. American Farmland Trust found “soil health successful farmers,” and conducted benefit-cost analyses. American Farmland Trust used partial budget analysis to estimate the net economic benefits eight farmers have...
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"]
The Aggregate – October 2020
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* The Aggregate Combining research, resources, learning opportunities, and current events for agriculture and conservation professionals. ISAP releases fact sheet highlighting carbon farming opportunities! ISAP is committed to identifying ways that farmers can successfully implement conservation cropping systems that benefit their bottom line. With over 23 million acres of cropland available for the implementation of practices capable of increasing soil carbon...