Agronomy Summit Oglesby
Make the most informed decisions you can for your farm by getting the latest research updates from crop science experts at University of Illinois. Crop producers, consultants, industry professionals, and students are invited to the 2025 Agronomy Summit in Oglesby, IL. Lunch is included with your registration cost.
Topics for the day include:
Management Strategies with Low Incomes | Dr. Gary Schnitkey
Illinois Crop Budgets for 2024 and 2025 suggest negative per acre returns to corn, soybeans, and wheat that could result in some of the lowest farm incomes experienced in the last 4 decades. This presentation will focus on management strategies farm businesses should consider as they prepare for what could be another multiple-year period of low returns.
Midwestern Hemp Research Collaborative: Insights into Agronomic Performance and Chemical Traits of Industrial Hemp for the North Central Region | Dr. Chance Riggins
The Midwestern Hemp Research Collaborative (MHRC) is a joint effort of four land grant universities, one non-profit, and commercial growers in the North Central Region to address challenges associated with industrial hemp cultivar development/selection, agronomics, pest management, and regulatory compliance. Our ongoing project leverages researcher-farmer partnerships to conduct participatory hemp cultivar and agronomic trials leading to relevant, research-based information for the hemp industry. Outcomes through the 2024 field season and expectations for expanded trials in 2025 will be highlighted.
Current Strategies for Disease Management in Field Crops | Dr. Boris Camiletti
In this talk, we will explore the latest strategies in managing diseases affecting field crops. We will cover the main diseases impacting corn, soybean, and wheat in Illinois. Emphasizing sustainable practices, we will discuss the role of fungicides, optimal fungicide timing, and predictive models. Attendees will gain insights into practices that enhance crop health and yield.
Corn and Soybean Management Considerations for 2025 | Dr. Connor Sible
The last three seasons have brought various challenges for corn and soybean production, with unique weather situations and a wide range of planting and harvest windows. We will review the key considerations related to fertilizer management, row spacing, seeding rates, and foliar protection for specific scenarios, and which management decisions proved most consistent across the different environments.
Updating Illinois phosphorus and potassium soil test recommendations for the 21st century | Luke Bergschneider
The Illinois Agronomy Handbook recommendations on P and K fertilization are outdated. A new effort supported by Illinois NREC and Illinois Farm Bureau led by a U of I research team in collaboration with operators across the state are working to develop answers on P and K management, including: critical values for interpreting soil test P and K, grain removal rates to inform maintenance applications, the possible role of subsoil P and K supply to crop uptake, and long-term (>100 years) changes in soil fertility across the state. Using on-farm trials and a historic soil archive with samples from the 1800s through present day, this effort is uniquely positioned to transform recommendations for better nutrient management support. Key to this is collaboration with operators and landowners, who we week for additional on-farm trials and soil sampling efforts.
January 23, 2025
8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Illinois Valley Community College
815 North Orlando Smith Road
Room C-316
Oglesby, IL 61348
If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, or for more information, contact Emily Hansen at emhansen@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting accessibility needs.