Agronomy Days at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign continues on with events scheduled into September, providing farmers, academics, and locals with a season-long series providing opportunities to discover the latest agronomic breakthroughs. Events hosted by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and Illinois Extension showcase new research findings, demonstrate updated management practices, and provide information that can improve yield and sustainability on the farm.

Attendees can find the lineup of events for the remainder of the season on the Agronomy Days website. Events include tours, open houses, and field days, such as the Crop Physiology Field Day, “Yield of Dreams,” on Aug. 7.

Yield of Dreams will feature advice from Fred Below on soybean yield; Marcos Loman on planting site selection based on planting date; Marli Favoretto on seed treatment for soybeans; and Ava Isaacs on biologicals in agriculture. After a short break, talks will continue with a discussion on multi-year fertility management led by Sam Leskanich; thoughts on strip-tilling brought by Jared Fender; a conversation on short corn facilitated by Sam Leskanich; and advice about using sulfur in crop production with Connor Sible. The field day will end with Eliana Monteverde leading an Illinois Soybean Breeding Plot Tour at 1:30 p.m.

“This will be the 4th annual Crop Physiology Day, and we are excited to discuss research updates and management recommendations to get those grand slam yields,” said Below, professor in the Department of  Crop Sciences in the College of ACES.

The Yield of Dreams field day will be held at the Crop Sciences Research and Education Center in Savoy, with registration and breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m., participants are encouraged to take a coffee break and grab a snack during sponsor visits. There will be lunch at 12:30 p.m., following a panel discussion from all speakers.

Additional summer events include the Insect Management Field Day and Plot Tour on Aug. 14, bringing participants together for a plot tour and discussion on pest management research; the 2025 Plant Sciences Symposium on Sept. 5, where attendees can learn more from graduate and undergraduate presenters on “SMART Agriculture: Predict, Adapt & Sustain;” and the Harvest Open House on Sept. 20, an event where students, families, and the community can enjoy the fun of harvest season while discovering the latest scientific advances in agricultural production. All events can be found on the Agronomy Days Calendar.