The State of The State
OCTOBER 2026 | VOLUME 6, ISSUE 12
Who wants to buy U.S. soybeans, and what does that demand mean for their value?
By IL Field & Bean Team
Five new soybean farmers were elected this past summer to serve as ISA Board Directors.
By Ashley Rice-Haddon, Lead Writer, Illinois Field & Bean
Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Chairman Bryan Severs recaps the last year and highlights what he's looking forward to in his second year as the leader of the Board of Directors.
By Bryan Severs, Chairman, Illinois Soybean Association
The value of an Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) membership is best understood by the members themselves.
By Nicole Solberg, ISA Government Relations Team Coordinator
University of Illinois' Dr. Nathan Shroeder highlights the free SCN testing program from ISA and the university.
By Dr. Nathan Shroeder, University of Illinois
Illinois Field & Bean sits down with seasoned Illinois producers to ask what advice they would give beginning farmers today.
By Ashley Rice-Haddon, Lead Writer, Illinois Field & Bean
Illinois farmer and ISA LEAD Program participant Jonathan Griffel highlights how the program is investing in the next generation of leaders to help secure the future of farming.
By Jonathan Griffel, Illinois Farmer and LEAD Program Participant
Strong 2026–2027 Renewable Volume Obligations are set to boost biodiesel demand by up to 160%, driving growth for Love’s, strengthening renewable fuel margins, and increasing soybean oil demand across U.S. agriculture.
By Patton Collie, Love's Travel Stops Renewable Fuels Trader
From GPS guidance systems to autonomous equipment and artificial intelligence, digital agriculture tools are steadily transforming how Illinois farmers manage their operations and make decisions.
By Dennis Bowman, Extension Specialist, Digital Agriculture, University of Illinois Extension
Meet Martin Duffy of New Haven, the newly appointed ISA District 18 Director.
By IL Field & Bean Team
ISA-funded research at the University of Illinois focuses on improving early detection of RCR and mapping where it occurs within fields.
By Boris Camiletti, Ph.D., Plant Pathologist, University of Illinois
Incobrasa is in the process of expanding and effectively doubling its biodiesel production capacity to as much as 150 million gallons per year.
By Ashley Rice-Haddon, Lead Writer, Illinois Field & Bean Magazine
University of Illinois' Dr. Jessica Rutkoski covers findings from her Illinois Soybean Checkoff-funded research project.
By Dr. Jessica Rutkoski, Associate Professor, University of Illinois
High oleic soybeans have opened new doors of opportunity with their beneficial profile for human-grade food products and animal feed.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere, but what does it really mean for agriculture?
By Ashley Rice-Haddon, Lead Writer, Illinois Field & Bean Magazine
Herbicide resistance is not a future concern for Illinois farmers, it's a present reality. Find out what you need to know.
By Dr. Aaron Hager, Professor and Faculty Extension Specialist, University of Illinois
Innovation often begins with a simple question: What else can soy do?
By Todd Main, Director of Market Development, Illinois Soybean Association, and Badri Narasimhan, Venture Advisor, Soy Innovation Center
Domestic soybean crush capacity has surged in the past few years, driven largely by growing demand for biomass-based diesel and soybean oil.
By IL Field & Bean Team
As markets continue to shift and sustainability becomes mainstream, the SpringBoard Challenge aims to commercialize price- and performance-competitive soy-based products.
By Todd Main, ISA Director of Market Development
Hosted by SSGA and co-sponsored by ISA, Transportation Go! is the premier conference representing identity preserved, value-added agriculture supply chain stakeholders.
By IL Field & Bean Team
USSEC CEO Jim Sutter explores the current state of global soy supply and demand, which he'll cover in depth at Soybean Summit.
By Jim Sutter, CEO, U.S. Soybean Export Council
As a food blogger, mom and busy wife of a soybean farmer, Deanne Frieders is serving up some dishes that incorporate soybean oil.
By Deanne Frieders, This Farm Girl Cooks
Why growers should engage their policymakers and monitor challenges to soybean oil in Illinois.
By David Kubik, ISA Biofuels & Trade Policy Manager
ISA's Environmental Policy Manager Corey Lacey, Ph.D., provides clarity on farm policies, pesticide regulations and public health debates that could impact Illinois farmers.
By Corey Lacey, Ph.D., ISA Environmental Policy Manager
The Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) webinar series delivers focused, farm-tested insights from industry and academia each month without the fluff.
By Ashley Barry, ISA Engagement Manager
Meet six Illinois lawmakers who are making their mark by stepping up to support agriculture.
By Matthew Johnston, ISA Government Relations Coordinator
As Roundup (glyphosate) continues to face legal pressure, explore how we arrived here, what its potential withdrawal could mean for your farm operation and what you can do to stay ahead.
By Corey Lacey, Ph.D., ISA Environmental Policy Manager
As policies continue to directly and indirectly impact agriculture, ISA's Government Relations team works to ensure farmers have a seat at the table as decisions are made.
By Collin Cisco, ISA Farm Policy Manager, and Matt Johnston, ISA Government Relations Coordinator