Forecasting 2026
DECEMBER 2025 | VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2
Get to know John Reichman and his family, who have quietly played a pivotal role in advancing soybean research and production.
By IL Field & Bean Team
As the global trade landscape continues to shift, ISA remains diligent about monitoring emerging markets for Illinois soy.
By Eric Woodie, ISA Trade Analyst
We're exploring the ways Illinois growers can maximize crop potential with next-generation biostimulants.
By Valent BioSciences
Join us for the 2026 Field Advisor Forum on Thursday, January 16, at the Atkins Golf Club at the University of Illinois in Urbana.
By Kelsey Litchfield, ISA Agronomic Outreach Manager/Editor, Field Advisor
ISA Perspectives
ISA District 1 Director Ryan Frieders covers the facts and benefits of cooking with soybean oil.
By Ryan Frieders, ISA District 1 Director
Learn about USDA's Soybean Germplasm Collection that is located at the University of Illinois.
By Ashley Rice-Haddon, ISA Content Manager
Relive the highlights of ISA’s 2025 Soybean Summit through photos that capture key moments, speakers and takeaways that made the event an essential experience.
By Olivia Key, Illinois Field & Bean Assistant Editor
TikTok sensation Jackson Laux, age 9, partners with John Deere to inspire agriculture's future.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Designed for both aspiring leaders and seasoned experts, ISA's LEAD Program provides tailored opportunities for growth, collaboration and impact
By Nicole Butler, ISA Executive Employee Relations
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has been evaluating a range of soil health tests focused on respiration, also known as mineralization carbon or CO2 burst.
By Andrew Margenot, Ph.D. and Heidi Allen, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Meet ISA’s new crop of agronomy experts as they share 2025 growing season strategies and recommendations.
By Stephanie Porter, CCA, ISA Outreach Agronomist, and Kelsey Litchfield, ISA Agronomic Outreach Manager
Highlighting research results from the 2024 growing season.
By ISA Agronomy Team
In 2024, soybean farmers in the 29 soybean-growing U.S. states lost just over 250 million bushels (5.4% of the nation’s crop) to soybean diseases, many of them stem diseases. Learn more about what to watch for this growing season, and how ISA is waging a war against these costly crop killers.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Discover how ISA’s Agronomy Team is turning checkoff investments into real-world, field-level support, research and results for Illinois farmers.
By Kelsey Litchfield, ISA Agronomic Outreach Manager
From cutting-edge research to hands-on support, discover the vital role Extension plays in improving farm operations and advancing Illinois agriculture.
By Talon Becker, Commercial Agriculture Specialist, University of Illinois Extension
Meet Bean There, ISA's International Market Development blog that covers events, conferences, trade missions and farm visits to connect Illinois soy with industry representatives, key trade partners, global buyers and more.
By Emma Peters, ISA International Markets Coordinator
Illinois Field & Bean investigates how U.S. soy compares to its largest competitors, Brazil and Argentina, by examining key differences in sustainability, production, infrastructure, quality and price.
By Ashley Rice-Haddon, ISA Content Manager
As global soybean markets continue to shift, how can Illinois farmers stay competitive?
By IL Field & Bean Team
Illinois is the No. 1 producer of non-GMO, identity preserved and commodity soybeans in the U.S. Through a partnership with the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance, ISA ensures Illinois farmers continue to meet the rising global demand for specialty soy.
By Eileen Pabst, International Markets Manager, and Emma Peters, International Markets Coordinator
At SpringBoard 2025, growers, researchers and industry leaders came together to spark new uses for soybeans and unlock fresh market opportunities for the future.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Through the See for Yourself 2025 program, participants saw firsthand how checkoff investments open international doors for U.S. soy, supporting profit-ability back home.
By Johnathan Griffel, 2024 20 Under 40 Farmer
Learn how federal and Illinois laws—and coming changes in tax provisions—might affect a family’s ability to pass the farm to the next generation.
By Collin Cisco, ISA Farm Policy Manager
Illinois farmer and ISA Board Director Steve Pitstick expresses his concerns over the proposed Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
By Steve Pitstick, Illinois Farmer and ISA Board Director
According to Collin Cisco, ISA Public Policy Manager, understanding the impact of upcoming tax changes—particularly the estate tax, Section 199A deductions and the stepped-up basis rule—is crucial for Illinois farmers who aim to safeguard their financial future and secure their ability to continue farming.
By Collin Cisco
Learn what ISG is doing to ensure American tax dollars are invested in domestic industries that use domestic feedstocks - such as Illinois-grown soybeans - to ensure our energy independence.
By David Kubik
Corey Lacey, Ph.D., ISA Environmental Policy Manager, answers readers' top questions and breaks down the EPA's final herbicide strategy.
By Corey Lacey