The On-Farm Trial Network Issue
FEBRUARY 2026 | VOLUME 6, ISSUE 4
Through its ability to suppress pest populations, enhance soil health and diversify cropping systems, wheat represents a viable and economically sound cash crop.
By Abigail Peterson, CCA, Director of Agronomy
Research from Southern Illinois University suggests that winter barley might suppress weeds with less biomass production than cereal rye.
By Eduardo Lago & Karla Gage, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Rabo AgriFinance Managing Director Chris Olson shares how the organization helps Illinois producers manage risk, plan for growth and position their operations for the future.
By IL Field & Bean Team
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
Read more about your Illinois Soybean Association's project highlights, program developments and what's ahead in the FY24 Year End Report.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Rising costs on inputs like feed, fertilizers, fuel and labor, along with higher insurance premiums and inflated equipment prices, can make it difficult for farmers to make a profit. So what's a farmer to do?
By IL Field & Bean Team
For 50 years, NASA has helped farmers to boldly grow, bringing you innovations designed for space exploration that translate to field exploration.
By IL Field & Bean Team
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
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 more about the iFAB Tech Hub at the University of Illinois and how its team is harnessing the power of corn and soy to create sustainable, high-value products.
By Olivia Key, Field & Bean Magazine Assistant Editor
As it celebrates its one-year anniversary, the ISA Soy Innovation Center is dedicated to facilitating the research and commercialization of new and innovative soy-based products with a focus on three primary categories: textiles, bio-lubricants and industrial applications.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Did you know soy can be used to replace nearly any product made from petroleum—including plastics? Soy-based plastics offer a nontoxic alternative to everyday items, contributing to sustainability and representing an exciting opportunity to drive demand for Illinois soy.
By Dylan Karis, Lead Chemist, Airable Research Lab
Corey Lacey, Ph.D., ISA Environmental Policy Manager, answers readers' top questions and breaks down the EPA's final herbicide strategy.
By Corey Lacey
Discover the many ways the Illinois Soybean Association has spent the last 60 years advancing biofuels, infrastructure and waterways transportation, and critical agronomic research - and what soybean farmers can expect in the coming years.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Hear from Stephen Censky, Chief Executive Officer of the American Soybean Association, about the ways ASA, ISA and other groups are working together to protect your farming freedoms.
By Stephen Censky
Get to know your ISA Government Relations Team, which is dedicated to advocating ...
By Olivia Key
Illinois Field & Bean Magazine spoke with select federal and state legislators ...
By IL Field & Bean Team
Jonathan Coppess of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign guest authors this perspective on the Farm Bill's impasse and the unlikelihood for reauthorization this year.
By Jonathan Coppess