Agriculture

The climate crisis threatens agriculture and calls for a change to the way the Midwest farms.

The 46,000-square-foot facility will be an expansion of the Collinsville Area Vocational Center, which was opened in 1971 and currently provides students from 10 area high schools with dual-credit career training and skill development.

Crop prices have returned to more normal levels this year — down from record highs. As farmers expect less income this year, that's likely to send ripples through the larger agricultural economy.

Today’s agricultural staples are planted into the ground each growing season, but Kernza remains in the ground for years, improving soil conditions.

Financial education is a growing element of 4-H programming.

Humidity can bring the heat index up significantly, and “corn sweat” only adds to the moisture in the air.

Four months after the first reported cases of bird flu in dairy cows, the price of milk and demand for it have largely remained unchanged. Industry experts say whether that remains the case will depend on how far and how quickly cases spread.

After a historic loss for some of the big orchards, this summer's crop returned mostly to normal. For Eckert's Orchard in Belleville, however, this year's outlook is not as positive.

COFCO, a Chinese company, bought its U.S. partner's stake in a grain terminal in Cahokia Heights along the Mississippi River. U.S. Reps. Mike Bost and Nikki Budzinski think the sale could threaten national security.

One year away from a federal deadline to reduce nutrient runoff into the Gulf of Mexico by 20%, increases in tile drainage, livestock and fertilizer use have made success unlikely.