Agriculture

Soybean industry workers and buyers shared their thoughts on the agricultural trade war between the U.S. and China during a tour of the Illinois Soybean Association offices in Bloomington.

Ryan Whitehouse, the Illinois Farm Bureau’s director of national legislation, died Wednesday following an accident in Michigan.

China typically buys close to half of the soybeans grown in the U.S. But the ongoing trade war means farmers in the Midwest must consider other options — and none are as profitable.

Brendyn Morgan credited several aspects of his life in deciding to run for public office, including his six years in the Army, his work in public housing and lessons from his single mom.

Heading into the last weekend of summer, the Bloomington-Normal area has had rain one time in the last month, according to data from state climatologist Trent Ford. The lack of rain has led to moderate drought for nearly all of McLean County.

The 61-year-old organic grower, who survived a catastrophic tractor accident last year, returns to predawn harvests and Saturday markets.

The Sunflower Days Festival at Rader Family Farms in Normal is for the community to admire, take photos and pick their favorite flowers.

The massive legislation extends tax cuts and increases safety nets for farmers who grow commodities, like corn, wheat and rice. But deep cuts to federal food assistance spending could hurt specialty growers who benefit from programs like Double Up Food Bucks.

A draft McLean County Land Use Plan is getting pushback from various stakeholders. Regional Planning Commission staff now say they'll change the process.

The CyberTractor Challenge is a weeklong event for university students to learn about cybersecurity for agricultural equipment. Experts say the threats are evolving and becoming more complex.