— her Supervised Agricultural Experience, The Bakery Bin. The Williamsfield FFA Chapter member baked 400 cookies to deliver to elected officials during Agriculture Legislative Day. Although it’s been her largest order to date, The Bakery Bin has sold more than 9,000 baked items since opening in 2018. Stiers shares how FFA has expanded her skillset in this interview with FarmWeek’s Kay Shipman.   Read more

With the recent weather events, you may have heard weathercasters talking about the atmosphere being very unstable. What does that mean? Duane Friend, Illinois Master Naturalist Coordinator and a climate specialist with University of Illinois Extension, explains in this perspectives piece. Read more

Energy markets have just gone through what could easily be the most volatile year on record. With fuel costs playing such an important role in running farms and businesses, GROWMARK’s Eugene McGillian discusses the fundamentals that could drive the market. Read more  

Illinois wheat farmers were looking at a potentially “excellent” crop, according to Mark Krausz, president of the Illinois Wheat Association. But Mother Nature intervened. From delayed fertilizer applications to a lack of sunlight, Krausz discussed what’s holding back this year’s crop. Read more

Almost no area of the state was spared from a recent severe weather outbreak of tornadoes, wind and hail. Illinois has already experienced between 40 and 50 tornadoes through the first quarter, which is nearly a year’s worth, according to State Climatologist Trent Ford. That’s led to 968 farm property claims for COUNTRY Financial clients across the state, as of April 6. “Let’s hope we don’t keep that trend up, but unfortunately, we’re heading into the peak season,” he said. Read more

When a window of opportunity opens, farmers will be sprinting to the fields. After a series of storms, State Climatologist Trent Ford said above-normal temperatures are likely through mid-April. “For agriculture, this is an opportunity to dry out, warm up a bit and get soil temperatures to a more ideal level,” he said. Check out his latest forecast. Read more