Central Illinois Farm Network

By Kent Casson Ready or not, harvest season is here and we all need to think safety first. This goes for motorists and farmers alike. We tend to get in a hurry with our busy lives and the same goes for the farming community. Let’s pause and remember what really matters. Illinois State Police remind motorists and farmers about traffic safety on Illinois roadways this harvest season. Agriculture is one of the leading industries in Illinois and farmers across the state will be m

By Kent Casson Now that we’ve had our first 48-degree morning in Central Illinois, I’m feeling the fall vibes. You can’t beat what I call “hoody weather” where we have nights in the upper 40s with days struggling to reach 70. That’s about the perfect forecast, in my opinion and we could be getting some cooler weather for later September, according to a few of the long-range forecasts. This is ideal for the farmers looking to get crops out of the field or for fans taking in a

The farmdoc team has released its Illinois Cash Rents in 2026 and Outlook for 2027 article. It shows that In 2026, the average cash rent for farmland in Illinois took a slight dip for the second year running. While the average rents varied by county, more counties saw lower rents in 2026 than in 2025, compared to those with increases. The good news writes the farmdoc team this week on their website is that higher prices for corn and soybeans have made the return outlook for

The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF) is proud to announce the selection of its Leadership Program Class of 2028. This cohort of emerging and established leaders represents a broad cross-section of Illinois agriculture, bringing experience from production agriculture, agribusiness, finance, technology, communications, conservation, food systems and more.“Each new class brings fresh perspectives, valuable experience and a shared commitment to strengthening the

Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) is asking Illinois farmers to take action now to support the Farm Bill. The proposed Farm Bill is being marked up in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 16. While no Farm Bill is perfect, this legislation includes important priorities for Illinois farmers, including the codification of the increased funding for the Market Access and Foreign Market Development Program included in the One Big Beautiful Bill, continued support fo

Agriculture is one of McLean County’s most important industries, and the people who contribute to its success extend far beyond the farm. The McLean County Chamber of Commerce is inviting the community to nominate individuals who are making a difference in agriculture for the 2026 Agriculture Awards. Nominations will be accepted through September 28, 2026, giving community members an opportunity to recognize the farmers, agricultural professionals, business leaders and emergi

By Kent Casson Hello. Remember me? I’m that guy who occasionally writes ag stuff and I do mean occasionally as of late. My writing has been sporadic because of life I guess. It was a busy summer for our family as usual and I wouldn’t trade any minute of it. From attending fairs and taking care of livestock to vacationing, we covered it all the past couple of months. The family had a nice getaway to the Gulf Coast in early July as we took in the waves and sand of the Gulf Sh

The Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC) has selected Corey Lacey, Ph.D., as its next Executive Director. Dr. Lacey begins September 1, 2026. Dr. Lacey brings experience spanning agricultural research, nonprofit leadership, public policy, and coalition development. He most recently served as Environmental Policy Manager for the Illinois Soybean Association, leading work at the intersection of nutrient stewardship, conservation, policy and farmer profitabili

The Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC) will invest more than $4.8 million across 29 research and education projects during the 2026–27 funding cycle, continuing Illinois agriculture’s investment in nutrient efficiency and meeting the goals of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS). The portfolio balances continued investment in multi-year research with new science addressing emerging needs. More than $4 million will support continuing projec

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Ranchers First Initiative, a sweeping package of actions to continue rebuilding the Great American Beef Herd and put America’s ranchers back at the center of our nation’s food supply. Building on USDA’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry, the Trump Administration is delivering again. American ranchers embody the independent spirit that drove the founding of America, 250 years ago. For more t