By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Soybean Association is introducing new farm practices to farmers all across the state.
The association recently released their 2021 Business Case for Conservation farmer service program, which reports aggregated data from over 827,000 acres of farmland.
Michael Gill, Director of Conservation Agriculture for the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program, said the Precision Conservation Management (PCM) operates in 31 different counties in the state.
“This is just a different approach to the same practices that we are trying to incentivize through the soil and water outcome fund. So basically, with this program, there’s a little bit more hands-on with help at introducing into operations we employ PCM specialists around the state.”
Speaking with WJBC’s Marc Strauss, Gill said the program publishes data from high soil productivity-rated fields.
“Basically, what we do is try to match that farmer with that PCM specialist and help that PCM specialist match practices that work with a management style. So it’s really more looking not only at the management style of the farmer but also looking at the field. Because not every practice works in every field.”
The report also delivers data from nitrogen and tillage decisions to growing cover crops.
Those interested in a copy of the report can find it at percisionconservation.org.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
