June 17, 2003

URBANA—Although uncertainty still surrounds the 2003 corn growing season, producers face decisions about pricing the 2003 crop, said a University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist.

“Two general alternative approaches might be considered,” said Darrel Good. “One is the purchase of put options in order to protect the current price level and partially benefit from higher prices should they occur. If higher prices do develop, producers would then have to decide when to price the crop.

June 16, 2003

URBANA - Illinois has seen a major decline in the populations of grassland birds and other upland wildlife over the last 30 years, according to Richard E. Warner, researcher at the University of Illinois and director of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. He explained that agricultural land use has changed substantially in the past 100 years, contributing to the pronounced declines.

June 16, 2003

URBANA—A Chicago youth program that has led to improved diets and physical activity levels is now available on the internet through University of Illinois Extension’s Urban Programs Resource Network. The program combines jumping rope with nutrition lessons.

June 12, 2003

URBANA - Farm-fresh eggs, meat, produce ad other products from Central Illinois producers are just a click away on a new website created to help consumers connect with farmers close to home.

The website, located at http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/resources/farmdirect/, is the online version of the first edition of the Central Illinois Farmer to Consumer Directory.

June 10, 2003

URBANA--Growing and marketing small grains will be the focus of the Small Grains Twilight Field Day on June 24 at the Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Station, 14509 University Rd in Shabbona.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a light supper, while Jim Quinton, director of the Illinois Wheat Association, provides a "Small Grains Market Outlook." Michael Richolson, district conservationist, for the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, will discuss "Fitting Small Grains into the Farm Bill."

June 11, 2003

The Illinois Watershed Management Clearinghouse has just unveiled a new website. Combing the resources of University of Illinois Extension, Illinois EPA, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and C-FAR this new website promises to provide a one stop location for those interested in Illinois watersheds and their management.

"We wanted to make it simple and easy to navigate for those looking for information," said Susan Meeker, University of Illinois Extension Educator. "Now people can go to one place."

June 9, 2003

URBANA—The “hits” just keep on coming for University of Illinois Extension’s Urban Programs Resource Network web site. In May, the site containing a variety of pages on topics ranging from school curriculums to lawn and garden care to financial management received more than 2.9 million hits.

“A ‘hit’ represents a single page viewed on our website,” explained Jane Scherer, U of I Extension urban programs specialist. “Usage in May 2003 was 61 percent higher than in May 2002 and represents our greatest usage in any month to date.”

June 9, 2003

URBANA—The next time the lettuce leaves in your backyard garden turn yellow or tiny, multi-legged creatures frolic on your tomato vines help may only be a mouse click away thanks to a new feature on University of Illinois Extension’s Urban Programs Resource Network. “Common Problems for Vegetable Crops” is the addition.

June 9, 2003

URBANA—Using options to manage summer price risk in soybeans is one alternative producers could consider as there is potential for much lower prices should a favorable growing season unfold, said a University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist.

June 6, 2003

URBANA—A series of seven pasture walks on the theme “Focus on Pasture: An Illinois Sustainable Dairy Approach” will be held this summer and fall sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

“Dairy and livestock producers interested in learning more about Management Intensive Grazing (MiG) will want to consider attending one of these walks,” said Michael Hutjens, U of I Extension dairy specialist.

Dates and locations for the pasture walks are: