Copy of New IL State Delegation Meets IlICGA Supports Farmers Seeking to Continue Using Atrazinelinois Farmers

This week, the Illinois Corn Growers Association submitted comments in support of the reregistration of atrazine, an important chemical that empowers farmers to utilize conservation practices on their farms and lower their environmental footprints.

“Access to the chemical allows our farmers to control weeds without tilling the earth, to reduce fuel usage and to keep carbon sequestered in the soil. Without access to atrazine, farmers would have to consider additional tillage and additional chemical applications, which increase fuel usage, increase carbon released into the air, and in general do not support the conservation-minded transitions farmers are making to their practices,” said ICGA President Randy DeSutter in his comments.

The opportunity to provide comments is in response to the EPA’s published draft biological evaluation of atrazine. The comment period ends February 19.

The biological evaluation is an assessment of risks to listed endangered or threatened species from labeled uses of atrazine. It also includes a draft ecological effects assessment and determines the range of acceptable amounts of atrazine in the environment.

Within the published draft biological evaluation, the EPA asserts that atrazine is likely to adversely affect nearly all species and critical habitats in the continental United States, including some that are already extinct.

Says DeSutter within the comments, “First and foremost, ICGA would implore EPA to use the best available science in this evaluation. High-quality studies must carry more weight than low-quality studies in the decisions, just as you promised would occur. If the science is lacking, and precedent is set that faulty, low-quality science can be used to justify a means, the integrity of our regulatory process is jeopardized.”

Atrazine is the single most studied chemical used in the U.S. with a proven safety record for over 60 years. ICGA believes that if the EPA uses and places weight on the accurate, high quality studies of the chemical, the reregistration will be approved.

Although this specific comment period is regarding atrazine and the triazine chemicals, the precedent set by using old and less accurate data to justify a decision makes this a priority issue for corn farmers.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Hear from Lou Lamoreux: Livestock Farmer and Former IL Corn Board Director

By Tara Desmond • September 3, 2026

Livestock farmer Lou Lamoreux talks about his farming operation.

captain Cornelius at shake it up cocktail lounge

Cheers to Corn This Labor Day

By Tara Desmond • September 3, 2026

4.29M bushels of U.S. corn fueled beverage alcohol production in July 2026 alone — up 54% from July 2025. Corn's in your Labor Day toast!

Can Short Stature Corn Deliver? Steve Fourez Puts It to the Test

By Tara Desmond • September 3, 2026

Illinois farmer Steve Fourez tests short stature corn against conventional hybrids, exploring yield potential and late-season management benefits.

USDA Announces Plans to Modernize Agricultural Data Collection

By Lyndi Allen • September 3, 2026

This week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Data Modernization Plan to put Farmers First, reduce unnecessary burdens on producers, and improve the timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of the data that informs agricultural decisions. USDA data informs crop and livestock estimates, risk-management tools, disaster assistance, and critical business decisions made by farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, researchers, and policymakers. In February 2026, Secretary Rollins issued a Request for Information seeking feedback on the opportunities, challenges, and emerging areas in USDA data. That feedback helped shape the USDA Data Modernization Plan and its four pillars: Modernize the Data Reporting Experience: USDA will expand use of administrative data, improve mobile access to surveys, explore opportunities to use prefilled information where appropriate, and strengthen coordination across the Department. These changes will reduce duplicative requests and limit the amount of time producers spend reporting information. Enhance Acreage and Yield Estimation: USDA will conduct a pilot to evaluate the use of improved satellite imagery, geospatial tools, crop models, and other emerging technologies combined with essential producer-reported information to enhance acreage and yield estimations. USDA will also assess the use of optional field inputs to enhance and ground truth yield estimates and continue advancing yield research through collaboration with agricultural partners and land-grant universities. Integrate Data and Technology Platforms: USDA will modernize its technology infrastructure, expand secure data-sharing capabilities, and evaluate the responsible use of tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Better integrated systems will improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and allow USDA to produce more timely and useful information. Expand Trust and Transparency with Producers: USDA will protect producer privacy, clearly explain why information is requested and how it is used, and create additional opportunities for producers to provide feedback. USDA will also improve communication surrounding reports, methodologies, response rates, and data limitations. USDA will begin implementing actions under the plan immediately and will continue engaging farmers, ranchers, and agricultural stakeholders throughout the process. The Department will evaluate new approaches carefully, protect privacy and confidentiality, and publish clear methodologies and supporting information to maintain the integrity of USDA’s agricultural statistics. See USDA’s Full Data Modernization Plan

Cornfield beside a dirt path under a blue sky with wispy clouds

EPA Grants Biofuel Exemptions

By Lyndi Allen • September 2, 2026

EPA has granted 1.76 billion RIN exemptions to small refiners, raising concerns among farmers and biofuel producers about the potential impact on demand for renewable fuel.

Week Ending 8/28/26 Summary

By Lyndi Allen • August 28, 2026

News from IL Corn for week ending 8/28/26