For more than 30 years, farmers and their advisers have turned to the Illinois Agronomy Handbook for research-based guidance on crop production. The 24th edition of the handbook is now available, completely revised and updated with new information and guidelines as well as color photos and illustrations.

"I'll admit to some bias, but I believe that this edition of the Illinois Agronomy Handbook is a publication that everyone who works with field crops in Illinois should have," said Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois crop sciences professor.

"Many sections and even whole chapters from the previous version were essentially scrapped and replaced by new versions," he said

He says there is a whole new chapter on nitrogen that completely replaces the corn-yield-based N recommendation with a system that generates guideline N rates using recent data and taking into account changes in N and corn prices.

The chapter on insect management is also entirely new as well as the chapters on corn, soybeans, small grains and weed management.

The Illinois Agronomy Handbook will not be available free on the Web so that some of the costs of producing and printing the publication can be recovered.

"The first thing you'll notice is the 'new and improved' look of the handbook, with redesigned pages and graphics, and full-color printing. This will be the first handbook ever with color photos and graphics," Nafziger said.

The Illinois Agronomy Handbook covers best management practices for Illinois conditions, offering information to increase yield and lower production costs. Here's a run-down what you'll find in this book:

· Color photos and illustrations throughout

· Comprehensive index of contents

· New information on planting date and plant population for today's hybrids

· Soybean seeding rates and stands, especially helpful with today's higher seed costs

· Details on tillage and stand establishment, including revised guidelines on seeding rates

· Management guidelines for crop sequences and new cropping alternatives, including biofuel crops

· A new approach to nitrogen rate guidelines for corn based on current data rather than yield

To purchase your copy, call the Extension office at 618-439-3178. The cost is $35.