ILSoyAdvisor Blog

Growers have enjoyed high commodity prices over the past few years. However, as prices decline and input costs increase, many anticipate 2015 will bring tighter margins and a new challenge to remain profitable.

ILSoyAdvisor.com continued its winter webinar series on Wednesday, March 4, to answer grower questions about the upcoming season. In "Achieving Profitability in Challenging Grain Markets in 2015 Through New Tools,” Chris...

While many growers are looking for ways to cut costs to offset the lower commodity prices expected in ’15, Mark Bernards, assistant professor of agronomy at Western Illinois University, cautions growers about the potential trade-offs of trying to economize on weed control. “There’s a real danger in trying to cut costs on weed management,” cautions Bernards. “If it is not done strategically, it may cost you in the long run, in terms of greater...

Will Brinton, Ph.D., an environmental scientist and founder of Woods End Soil Laboratory, says “a new approach to farming is urgently needed and includes measuring carbon dioxide activity in soil as part of a new approach to monitoring and managing soil fertility.”

Plants photosynthesize and consume CO2 (carbon dioxide) to produce sugar, the life-blood of plants. Most of that CO2 comes from the atmosphere, but not all; some emanates...

There are never guarantees of profits. Each year presents different challenges and requires unique strategies. However, proactively leveraging the tools available to growers improves the odds of reaching profit goals.

As 2015 gets into full swing, everyone is expecting tighter margins for soybean producers. As commodity prices have fallen over the last 2 years input costs have remained high, with little room for negotiations....