News

2 Important Changes for Businesses under the New Tax Law

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces a range of tax changes that will impact businesses. Many provisions set to expire this year are now being extended or made permanent. Below is a snapshot of two important changes to help you with tax planning in the fourth quarter of 2025 and going forward.

IDOA Launches New CPRG-Climate Smart Agriculture Program

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) have announced $67 million in funding to offer cost-share/financial incentives to producers and landowners who will implement no-till or strip-till starting in the fall of 2025.

Legislation Allowing Visas for Migrant Workers in Construction & Agriculture Introduced

A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the House that would allow visas to be given to migrant workers in sectors, like construction and agriculture , that are facing acute worker shortages. The “Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act”, or EWEA, would provide temporary visas valid for three years, with two potential three-year renewals.

No End In-Sight for Government Shutdown

As the government shutdown enters its second week there is no deal in sight to end the impasse. Punchbowl news reports the Senate will vote this week - for the fifth time - on advancing the House-passed Continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal agencies through Nov. 21.

Trimble Announces Martin Equipment as Technology Outlet for Ill., Iowa, Mo.

Trimble partners with Martin Equipment as a Technology Outlet in Ill., Iowa, and Mo. Customers can now purchase and receive support for Trimble technology directly from Martin, enhancing job site productivity for earthmoving equipment users. Martin Equipment's commitment to exceptional service extends to offering Trimble grade control solutions.

Drain for the Cure Is Back for 2025 and Bigger Than Ever

Started in 2014, Springfield Plastics’ Drain for the Cure campaign has raised more than $1,000,000

over the years to help in the fight against cancer. Last year’s campaign raised over $182,000, and

the hope is to surpass that number this year.

ADMC Meets with NRCS Chief Bettencourt to Discuss Priorities to Improve Practice Delivery for Farmers

The Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) met with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Aubrey Bettencourt on Friday, September 26th to discuss strategies for maximizing the effectiveness of the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations.

Iowa Farm Poll Reveals Farmers' Shifting Views About Conservation & Water Quality

A new report examines Iowa farmers’ awareness and opinions related to the state’s strategy to cut nutrient runoff in waterways. The majority support more conservation, but their numbers have softened over the last decade.

Maintaining the Edge: Control Structure Management

Learn the basics to managing and maintaining your water control structure.

Watch now

Lessons from a Watershed-Level Water Management Project

Large-scale drainage projects can be challenging to co-ordinate, but are better if more people are involved.

The Ontario Soil Network’s 2025 Huron County tour visited the watershed and learned some of the lessons from the project from Harrison Burgsma, who farms in the area.

Controlled Drainage Not Just for Flat Fields Anymore: Michigan Report

Controlled drainage – the practice of using either an automated or manual control system to drain from fields more selectively, thus accounting for dryer periods where more reserves are necessary – has long been recommended for relatively flat fields. Slopes can make the practice complicated, although not impossible.

More An Art Than A Science

Terraced drainage (terraces) has long been recognized as an effective way to reduce runoff and soil erosion. Terraces block the downward flow at key intervals, which reduces surface water velocity and, thus, erosion. In its purest form, it has been used in Asia for as long as 2,300 years.

DOT DBE Program Implementation Uncertain

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is the first state to ask the US DOT to waive its requirements for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program since a court ruled the requirements are likely unconstitutional.

Federal Funding Battle Continues as October 1 Shutdown Deadline Approaches

Little progress has been made in the effort to come to an agreement on Fiscal Year 2026 funding. With little time left before the start of the Fiscal Year on October 1, the House and Senate are no closer to a compromise and are in recess all week. Before recessing, the House passed a GOP-drafted “clean” bill to extend government funding until Nov. 21 at current funding levels with no policy changes included.

Skinny Farm Bill Being Considered

A “skinny” farm bill is being considered to complete action on parts of the traditional Farm Bill that have not yet been addressed. The pared-down version of the traditional five-year farm bill, designed to address only the most urgent or unfinished agricultural priorities could be brought up this year.

McMaster Approved as Next FHWA Administrator

The U.S. Senate confirmed Sean McMaster as administrator of the Federal Highway Administration on September 18 in a 51 to 47 vote. McMaster – a former executive with the Boeing aerospace company and also a former vice president with infrastructure consulting firm HNTB – stressed in his hearing in May that safety would be his top priority at FHWA as he seeks to guide the agency in its mission to build and restore roads, bridges, and tunnels across the nation.

Rethinking Iowa’s Drainage: Building Resilience with Two-Stage Ditches

After a heavy rain, Iowa’s network of drainage ditches goes to work. Water infiltrates into the soil, flows to subsurface tile drains beneath farm fields and then into open ditches downstream. Together, this drainage network lowers water tables, maintains unsaturated soil conditions, and moves water efficiently after storms. It allows farmers to return to their fields more quickly while also carrying stormwater away from roads, culverts, and homes – potentially reducing local flooding risks.

Limiting Nitrate Loss with Successful Nutrient and Cover Crop Management

Nitrogen loss from agriculture is a primary source of water quality issues in Illinois and Midwestern states. Management considerations such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship and integrating cover crops can help reduce the potential for loss throughout the year. In addition to helping reduce nitrogen loss, effective integration of cover crops can also provide significant soil health and agronomic benefits.

Woodchip Bioreactor Helps Peoria Area Farmer Reduce Nitrogen Runoff

Although the 11-by-44-foot hole on Ethan Koehler’s farm could be mistaken for a swimming pool, it’s actually a woodchip bioreactor under construction.

The 5-foot-deep pit, showcased during the Marshall-Putnam Nutrient Stewardship Field Day Aug. 19, will soon begin capturing nitrogen from about 16 acres of tile-drained cropland in Marshall County.

Search Launched for Women’s Legacies

For generations, the women of the agricultural community/industry have shared their knowledge and commitment to their family farms, their rural communities and to their legacies, both prior generations and subsequent generations that will carry on their remarkable family legacy. Illinois Agri-Women are seeking these unique families of women, who find joy in the work they do and have committed their lives to agriculture for three or more generations.