Save Nitrogen, Save Money: Minimize Fall Loss with These Proven Tips
November 7, 2024

Managing nitrogen effectively is essential to both farm productivity and environmental stewardship. As you plan for fall application, consider these tips to keep nitrogen in a stable, usable form, minimize loss, and make the most of every pound applied. From timing your anhydrous application to incorporating cover crops, these strategies can help you retain nitrogen for your crops and reduce waste.




By Lindsay Croke
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June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.