Farmers asked to share data about growing season

Researchers and Extension Specialists from University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, ACES, are asking Illinois growers to share basic planting, harvest and yield data with the college to learn from the extraordinary growing conditions experienced this year.

“What we have is a giant, unplanned,and involuntary experiment that is being conducted by Illinois farmers this year,” said Emerson Nafziger, professor emeritus in the U of I College of ACES. 

“This experiment can help us understand the ramifications of how planting date and variety maturity affect overall yields.”

Using an anonymous online form, email or the U.S. Postal Service, farmers can share very simple parameters from this year’s crop with researchers. 

The researchers are requesting data about the 2019 corn and soybean crop from fields in every county of Illinois, and encourage farmers to respond by the end of December.

More information about the project is available online at https://extension.illinois.edu/nwiardc/2019-delayed-planting-impact-study.

A printable version of the survey is available as well and can be downloaded at https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/2019plantingdateyield....