The Illinois farming community is invited to hear about the latest research-based tools and practices this summer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign during the annual Agronomy Days series, hosted by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), the Department of Crop Sciences, and Illinois Extension. Kicking off in May and extending through August, the series offers attendees the opportunity to pick and choose topics of interest.

July may be more than half over, but there are still five events this month on the Agronomy Days calendar. These include a July 22 visit to the Corn Box, U. of I.’s version of a sandbox to test innovations for digital agriculture in a live corn field, as well as field days at Monmouth Research Center (July 24) and Ewing Demonstration Center (July 25). Farmers and landowners interested in leveraging solar on the farm should attend the Illinois Agrivoltaics Field Day on July 24, and organic growers won’t want to miss the Organic Systems Trial Field Day on July 25. 

August brings still more valuable lessons from U. of I. experts, starting with the third annual Crop Physiology Field Day hosted on Aug. 1 by Fred Below’s group, who encourages attendees to register.

“Our theme this year is ‘Got Yield?’ The presentations will cover yield components, herbicide resistance, root architecture, hybrid selection, strip-tillage, fertilizer placement, and residue management, and we will have a high-yield farmer panel featuring Troy Uphoff, who is the Illinois corn yield record holder,” Below said. “There will be coffee, drinks, refreshments, and lunch, we are approved for 4.5 CEUs of CCA credits, and we will have some industry exhibitors.” 

Also in August, farmers can learn about the latest hemp research (Aug. 2), attend a two-day nitrogen use efficiency workshop (Aug. 5-7), and hear how best to manage insects in corn and soybean production systems (Aug. 13).

More information on all of the events, including registration details for some, is available in the Agronomy Days calendar. Please check back regularly for updates and contact Nick Seiter [nseiter@illinois.edu] with any questions.