Risk Management Conference

Cover crops on Rob Stout farm. Stout is a long-time no-tiller and has used cover crops for a number of years on his farm in Washington County, IA.

ISAP’s bi-annual Risk Management Conference highlights the use of soil health and conservation drainage practices as tools to mitigate production risk. The Conference aims to increase the knowledge of farmers, landowners, and advisers, bringing the agriculture industry together to highlight how conservation practices build resiliency for Illinois farms.

ISAP'S 2022 Risk Management Conference: Busting Conservation Myths

ISAP's 2022 Risk Management Conference is a free 3-part webinar series ‘debunking’ popular myths that may be keeping some from considering soil health and conservation drainage practices. The series looked beyond the environmental benefits of conservation cropping systems, to highlight the production and economic benefits producers can gain by transitioning to a soil health system. Continuing education credits (CEU’s) were offered.

WATCH: “Cover Crops Are Just Another Input” | Agronomic benefits of a soil health system

The first webinar in the series took on the myth that “Cover Crops Are Just Another Input,” exploring the agronomic benefits of taking a systems approach to improving soil health. Jerry Hatfield (Agricultural Consultant), Kirk Kimble (Marshall County Farmer), and Frank Rademacher (PCM Conservation Specialist) shared their perspectives on how nutrient cycling in a biologically active soil can change a farmers’ agronomic approach to nutrient management and weed control.

WATCH: “Conservation Costs Too Much” | Economics of transitioning to a soil health system

The second session reviewed the economic benefits of transitioning to a soil health system, busting the myth that “Conservation Costs Too Much.” Ryan Batts (University of Illinois Ext.), Paul Dietmann (Compeer Financial) and Dallas Glazik (Pheasants Forever) explored tools ag economists and commercial lenders use to assist farmers in any transition, and discussed how to value the long term improvements a soil health system provides.

WATCH: “Tile and Conservation Don’t Mix” | Drainage Opportunities & Challenges

The myth “Tile and Conservation Don’t Mix” is a misconception that may be limiting farmers’ interest in adopting conservation practices. Tile drainage experts, Ehsan Ghane (Michigan State University), Isaac Ferrie (CropTech Consulting), and Jeff O’Connor (Kankakee County Farmer) explained how tile systems can be designed to mitigate the risk of nutrient loss often associated with drainage, while also providing a foundation for soil health systems to thrive.

If you were unable to join us in 2022, or you would like to watch the webinars again, you can access the recordings on our YouTube channel.

ISAP's 2020 Risk Management Conference: Bridging the Gaps

ISAP's 2020 Risk Management Conference, "Bridging the Gaps," explored the use of land stewardship and soil health management as tools to mitigate production and financial risks. Farmers who are utilizing soil health practices find benefits beyond the farmgate: from buffering extreme weather, to increasing working capital, to meeting changing consumer demand.

Webinar 1: Eric Snodgrass breaks down what IL farmers should expect over the next 30 years for climate and how these changes will impact farm production.

Webinar 2: Learn how soil health management systems improve working capital. LaSalle County farmer Carl Zimmerman will share his perspective, and his budget sheets!

Webinar 3: Explore how companies across the ag supply chain are responding to consumer demand for sustainably produced products.

The 2020 conference reached over 200 people through three online webinars. If you were unable to join us in 2020, or you would like to watch the webinars again, you can access the recordings on our YouTube channel.

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