ILLINOIS FARMERS IMPLEMENTING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR NUTRIENT LOSS REDUCTION STRATEGY Recent results from the USDA/NASS 2015 Producer Survey show marked improvements in the implementation of practices outlined in the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Read the report here. IAA BOARD MEMBERS IMPLEMENT NUTRIENT LOSS REDUCTION STRATEGIES ON THEIR FARMS Check out the short videos (each is less than two minutes) where IAA Board members show the steps they are taking to implement best management practices on their farms. Jeff Kirwan, Mercer County, uses cover crops to scavenge nutrients and prevent erosion Michele Aavang, McHenry County, implements good fertilizer management [...]

IOWA NUTRIENT TOUR REVEALS UNITED FRONT Members of the Illinois farm community traveled to Iowa in August, as part of an Illinois Farm Bureau sponsored educational tour of Iowa's nutrient management techniques. Iowa has a two-year head start over Illinois on its Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Attendees learned about the cooperation between Iowa's state government and farmers. Read the full story on FarmWeekNow.com. FARM SMARTER WITH THESE FIVE ONLINE TOOLS Whether you're looking to maximize your nutrient investment, find the right cover crop, or anticipate this year's precipitation, you should check out these easy-to-use applications. The results from these tools [...]

FARMERS IMPROVED WATERSHED HEALTH, STUDY SHOWS A long-running experiment to improve water quality in and around Livingston County has yielded encouraging results. New analysis of water samples collected from the Indian Creek Watershed indicates best management practices are reducing nutrient runoff during storm events. Read more here.  MCCORMICK SHARES HIS STRATEGIES Jack McCormick uses a wide variety of practices to manage nutrients on his Randolph County farm. Now McCormick's story is shared, along with many others, on the Conservation Story Map. Released in March, the Conservation Story Map has become a central resource to learn the best management practices used [...]

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TEST YOUR SOIL? Most farmers test their soil in the fall, right after harvest. Learn why the best time to test your soil may be in the spring or early summer. Get the jump start on the year and talk to your crop adviser or soil lab about soil testing today. SPRING WATER SAMPLING BEGINS The Illinois Farm Bureau is partnering with the Illinois Corn Growers Association, the Zea Mays Foundation, county Farm Bureaus, and soil and water conservation districts to offer free, confidential nitrate water testing across the state. Visit CBMP's events [...]

ILLINOIS FARMERS: DELAYED ANHYDROUS AMMONIA APPLICATION Three Illinois farmers discuss their decision to delay applying anhydrous ammonia. Read their stories and see why nutrient stewardship is a great choice economically and environmentally. THE 4RS: A YEAR-ROUND ENDEAVOR The 4Rs aren't just something to be followed on a season-by-season basis. Here's what you need to know to follow them all year. FREE, CONFIDENTIAL WATER TESTING EVENTS Learn all about 2016 water testing events and find out what water testing can teach you about your farm. MAN WITH A PLAN: PETE FANDEL TALKS ABOUT COVER CROP PLANNING FOR 2016 CBMP cover [...]