More Agriculture Stories From Illinois Newsroom
Animal activists celebrate their first global ‘Sanctuary Day’
The Farm Micro Sanctuary in Indiana is one of more than a dozen farm animal shelters in the Midwest.
Bird populations are shrinking faster in agriculture hotspots— including the Midwest, study finds
New research out of Ohio State University found the rate of bird decline was quicker in areas with more intense agricultural practices.
Trump wants to slash $5 billion from USDA’s budget. That could hurt rural America, critics say
Some close watchers of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget aren’t thrilled with the Trump administration’s proposal — but they’re hopeful some of the suggested cuts won’t make it in the final spending plans passed by Congress.
Trump’s foreign farm worker policy criticized by both unions and ‘America First’ groups
Guest farm workers holding H-2A visas are more important than ever for agriculture, especially after President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Illinois farmers ease critical labor shortages through this agricultural visa program
The H-2A visa has become a lifeline for farmers who can’t find enough domestic workers.
Soon after massive honeybee deaths, Trump moves to close the nation’s premier bee lab
When beekeepers saw widespread honeybee die-offs last year, researchers at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center stepped in to help. The Trump administration now plans to close the facility.
War with Iran disrupts fertilizer supply for Kansas farmers, right as planting season begins
Gulf states are major fertilizer producers, and the war with Iran has triggered a 25% price hike just as struggling U.S. farmers are planting corn.
‘Cow vision’ goggles let farmers see the world on four hooves – and may improve animal welfare
A Wisconsin university is using augmented reality to show staff from meat processing plants and farmers what it’s like to look through the eyes of livestock.
Gas prices are surging. Farm groups say American ethanol could help ease the pain
Agriculture leaders and producers are urging Congress to allow year-round sales of fuel made with up to 15% ethanol, which they say could boost domestic demand for corn — and offer a cheaper gas option for U.S. drivers this summer.
ADM, American Farmland Trust partnership aims to support struggling farmers in Midwest
A new partnership between Archer-Daniels-Midland and American Farmland Trust aims to build resilience in farmers.
AgTech Week brings pitch competition for startups, discussions on biomanufacturing to Champaign-Urbana
AgTech Week is a celebration of Champaign-Urbana’s ag tech industry.
USDA lost 24,000 workers under Trump, hurting critical resources for farmers
The Trump administration’s federal workforce cuts shrunk U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies that inspect produce, provide conservation resources and collect data on crops and livestock.
As farmers face a changing climate, a USDA program designed to help is at risk
In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a network of “climate hubs” to understand how climate change affects agriculture and forestry and help farmers adapt to more extreme and unpredictable weather.
More U.S. farmers would be eligible for federal loans under new bipartisan bill
A bipartisan bill would expand the eligibility requirements for applicants.
A tick bite made this rancher allergic to her own cattle. It’s a worsening issue for farmers
Alpha-gal syndrome, a tickborne allergy to red meat and dairy, has become more common in the last few years.
Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices
Cow cuddling, ice cream churning and farm tours are among the tactics dairy farmers are employing to compensate for low milk prices.
U.S. farmers are growing less wheat. New varieties could help revive the industry
From the Dakotas to Texas, wheat acres have been on the decline, due to higher temperatures, drought and farmers shifting to more profitable crops.
As 2025 ends, farmers are still reeling from the shake up of markets and federal programs
Farmers across the central U.S. have navigated a myriad of challenges this year, including low crop prices and federal funding cuts.
Hemp farming is booming again. A federal ban on hemp-derived THC products puts the crop in jeopardy
A federal ban on most hemp-derived THC products is expected to go into effect in November. It could eliminate the most profitable market for farmers who grow hemp.
Deportations are set to explode — a huge worry for farmers already facing a labor shortage
With Trump’s immigration crackdown set to expand next year, some farmers fear that workers will be even harder to find, and they want Trump to do something about it.
‘Living’ Christmas trees? Some people are choosing evergreens they can replant after the holidays
Some tree farms in the central U.S. are selling more potted Christmas trees as people seek out an eco-friendly option or look to get more than one use out of their evergreens.
Ag sector alarm bells are going off
There are big warning signs in agriculture right now. And many experts are warning an aid package announced by the Trump administration is not likely to go very far or come soon enough.
New Illinois Farm Bureau president wants to restore communication and credibility for the venerable organization
New Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson said one reason he unseated previous organization head Brian Duncan was a legal dispute with the American Farm Bureau Federation
Illinois Farm Bureau delegates reject president’s bid for 2nd term
At the IFB annual meeting in Chicago, nearly 57% of the delegates chose Philip Nelson from Seneca, a former IFB president and state agriculture director, as the organization’s 17th president.
Cottonseeds are loaded with protein. Could these seeds become a new food source?
Cottonseeds could help reduce hunger and add new revenue for farmers. One researcher has been working for decades to make edible seeds a reality.
Trump administration will send $12 billion in bailout money to farmers hurt by trade war
Most of the package is earmarked for row-crop producers. It aims to help farmers – especially those who grow soybeans – balance out losses from high costs and a trade war with China.
Welcome to Morton, Illinois — the bite-sized town that produces a whole lot of canned pumpkin
The pumpkin pie Americans enjoy each Thanksgiving often comes from pumpkins grown near Morton, Illinois.
USDA data casts doubt on China’s soybean purchase promises touted by Trump
OMAHA, Neb. — New data the Agriculture Department released Friday created serious doubts about whether China will really buy millions of bushels of American soybeans
Farmers are desperate for workers. They want Trump to make it easier to hire foreign labor
The U.S. agricultural industry depends on undocumented immigrants, but President Trump’s immigration crackdown is further depleting an already tight workforce.
Some Midwest soybeans are headed to China. But farmers still need other buyers
U.S. soybean farmers this fall had faced the grim reality of losing their largest foreign buyer, until President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a deal last week.
Good gourd! These Midwesterners are raising giant pumpkins that weigh as much as a car
Giant pumpkins can top the scales at more than 2,000 pounds – and caring for these behemoths is often a full-time job. But for some growers in the central U.S., the dream of raising a world record-setting pumpkin is a tantalizing prospect.
Trump wants to import beef from Argentina. Republicans and ag groups say, what about America?
Ranchers, lawmakers and farmers’ unions are sounding the alarm over a Trump administration plan to increase beef imports from Argentina.
USDA is reopening some 2,100 offices to help farmers access $3B in aid despite the ongoing shutdown
The USDA said each Farm Service Agency office will have two workers who will be paid even though the government remains shutdown. These offices help farmers apply for farm loans, crop insurance, disaster aid and other programs.
Drought is shrinking Mississippi River levels — again. That’s a big problem for farmers
Farmers rely on the Mississippi River to ship grain and bring them imported fertilizer and other critical inputs. But another year of low river levels means barge travel will be more expensive.
Corn, but shorter: Why Midwest farmers are experimenting with smaller varieties
Scientists and seed companies are working on shrinking corn. The subtle difference in height has led to some big changes in how shorter corn can be planted and managed in the Corn Belt.
Americans are drinking less. What does that mean for winemakers in the Heartland?
The American Heartland has experienced a boom in wineries over the last three decades. But with U.S. wine sales trending down since 2019, some producers are feeling the effects more than others.
Farmers caught in Trump’s trade war wait for bailout. But many call it a temporary fix
The Trump administration is promising billions in a bailout for farmers. This harvest season the trade war with China has added to the farm economy’s woes, as producers deal with lower crop prices and high costs.
U of I’s Soybean Innovation Lab expects $1.5M grant will help address food insecurity across Africa
The Soybean Innovation Lab is awaiting final approval for a $1.5 million grant from a research foundation. The money will help expand their efforts to combat global food insecurity and poverty by increasing the number of soybean varieties available to 28 African nations.
USDA will no longer track hunger among Americans. That concerns food advocates
People working to address hunger say the canceled report is a main resource to understand where and how people are experiencing food insecurity across the country.
Trump plans aid package for US soybean farmers while seeking trade deal with China
Farmers are struggling as China orders soybeans from Brazil and Argentina. They prefer trade over aid, hoping for a deal soon.
China won’t buy American soybeans anymore, leaving farmers with limited options
China typically buys close to half of the soybeans grown in the U.S. But the ongoing trade war means farmers in the Midwest must consider other options — and none are as profitable.
Central Illinois farmers face severe drought with low yields for harvest season
Rainfall has been below average in recent months, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford.
Multiple Midwest towns are proud to be ‘popcorn capitals.’ But who still grows the crop?
Popcorn festivals and even “popcorn capitals of the world” dot the middle of the country. Yet this ubiquitous snack is grown on fewer than 1,000 farms in the U.S. today.
USDA’s DEI Purge: How Trump and Rollins are reshaping American agriculture
The Trump administration is decrying diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The move is hurting communities and undermining its own goals for agriculture.
A USDA trade report no longer explains its data. Now economists are raising transparency concerns
When agricultural economists look at the Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade – a quarterly report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – they expect two parts: data tables and a written analysis explaining those numbers.
‘Quite remarkable’: The Farm Aid benefit concert, which started in Champaign, celebrates 40 years
Farm Aid is a traveling benefit concert that has raised more than $80 million nationwide to help struggling family farms across the U.S. The first annual Farm Aid event was held 40 years ago, on Sept. 22, 1985, in what is now Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
USDA plan to move jobs out of D.C. and closer to farmers draws mixed reviews
A plan to disburse Washington-based USDA jobs to five hubs, including Kansas City and Indianapolis, is making waves across agriculture. Critics say the shakeup could hobble the agency, while proponents it will move staff closer to farmers and save money.
Gov. Pritzker announces new Cronus Chemicals fertilizer plant in Tuscola is moving forward
For more than a decade, Cronus Chemicals has sought to create a fertilizer production facility in East Central Illinois. At the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, the governor announced the company is following through with its $2 billion investment.
Your food probably traveled a long way before reaching the grocery store. Here’s why
The interest in local food systems, like farmer’s markets and direct farm-to-consumer sales, is on the rise. But the U.S. is still more reliant on imported foods than ever before.
USDA canceled a support program for small businesses. This Midwest grower may lose her farm
Farmers who were promised funding through the federal Regional Food Business Centers have been left in limbo after the Trump administration shut down the program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will honor grants the program already approved, but it’s unclear when.
Will Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ help farmers in the Midwest and Great Plains? It depends
The massive legislation extends tax cuts and increases safety nets for farmers who grow commodities, like corn, wheat and rice. But deep cuts to federal food assistance spending could hurt specialty growers who benefit from programs like Double Up Food Bucks.
Already in the red, rural hospitals across the Midwest brace for Medicaid changes
Health care leaders worry rural hospitals could be hit hard by Medicaid spending reductions in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” In the Midwest and Great Plains, Oklahoma and Kansas could face the highest risk of hospital closures and service reductions.
USDA’s end of diversity efforts in farm programs will mean ‘less food for the community’
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will no longer take a farmer’s race or gender into consideration for many of its loans and benefit programs.
Drought means ‘drier than normal.’ How will climatologists define drought if the new normal is dry?
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is developing a framework for assessing drought in a changing climate. It’s a difficult task, as what’s considered drought is often situational.
Some farmers are using this new, experimental practice to help prevent flooding
Across much of the Midwest, the atmosphere is becoming warmer and retaining more water, leading to heavier downpours. A two-crop system called relay intercropping could help farmers buffer weather whiplash and boost profits.
Beef prices are at an all-time high. Here’s why it’s gotten so expensive
Shoppers are seeing record high beef prices at the grocery store. That’s in part because the number of cattle in the U.S. is at an all-time low, while consumer demand has remained strong.
Chinese researchers charged with smuggling ‘agroterrorism weapon’ to infect Midwest crops
The FBI and Department of Justice hailed the arrests and charges as crucial in protecting national security and public safety.
Federal funding for these ag research labs ended. Now the search is on for new support
The Trump administration paused funding to the U.S. Agency for International Development in January, followed by a near-complete dismantling of the agency this spring, including the Feed the Future program.
Ranchers may have to relearn how to fight an old enemy — the New World screwworm
New World screwworms used to be a constant concern for ranchers, until they were eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960’s. Now that they’re on their way back, those who remember dealing with them have warnings about their impact.
A federal bill would make it easier for farmers to kill protected black vultures
Black vultures have a reputation for killing newborn livestock, which can be a problem for ranchers in the Great Plains and Midwest. Legislation efforts aim to remove permit requirements for farmers to shoot or capture the birds.