Wheat Performance Data Available
Robert Bellm, crop systems educator

The 2008 wheat crop is projected to average 66 bushels per acre, nine bushels larger than last year’s freeze-damaged crop and only one bushel less than the record yield of 67 bushels set in 2006. For the second year in a row, wheat has withstood what can only be described as adverse weather conditions, and produced yields that are truly impressive.

Wheat remains a viable and profitable crop, and it adds diversification to cropping systems that focus primarily on corn and soybean. In fact, research looking at the net returns of different crop rotational systems indicates that a corn-soybean-wheat-doublecrop soybean rotation compares quite favorably to continuous corn rotations. As an added benefit, diversified crop rotations can minimize the negative impact of adverse weather, disease, or insect outbreaks compared to a mono-crop rotation.

If you are planning to include wheat in the rotation next year,
variety information and yield results from University of Illinois’
2008 Wheat Performance Trials is now available .

Time to Obtain Cover Crop Seed and
Plan for Pond Weed Control
Mike Plumer, natural resources educator

Now is the time to get your cover crop seed. Don’t wait until the
last minute because seed supplies are limited.
Cereal rye can be planted later than most cover crops, which will be an

advantage this fall with the late harvest. Or, you can aerial seed this cover crop. Planting can start after September 15 and should be done by November 1. Use 40 pounds per acre broadcast or drilled into fields that will be going to soybeans. Rye helps control winter annuals and does a good job of suppressing marestail in front of no-till soybeans.

This is also the time of year to observe pond weed problems. Write down the problems you incurred this year, and make a note on your calendar to start weed control by April 15. By planning ahead, you will be ready to do the control when it is most effective and causes the least amount of damage to the pond.

Illinois ResourceNet Helps Nonprofits and Governments Secure Grant Funding

Illinois ResourceNet (IRN) is a university-based resource designed to help Illinois nonprofit groups and local governments secure a higher percentage of federal grant funding.

IRN includes three components: information and resources on an interactive website, experienced technical assistants who are available to help groups design high-caliber proposals, and connections with a diverse group of partners to meet proposed project goals.

To take advantage of this new resource, organizations need to register online at illinoisresource.net.

By registering on the website, organizations and governments can access information about available federal grant programs and related training to assist them in their efforts to obtain these funds. Registration also lets the technical assistance providers know about the interests and needs of area organizations so that they can watch for potential funding sources. This collaboration is especially important for smaller organizations that may not have the personnel and resources to apply for and administer grants.

For more information, contact John Pike, Extension community and economic development educator, 618-453-5563.

Page 1 2 3