Webinars Archive (2024)

Review of common occupational injuries associated with agriculture, characteristic of the farms that make them vulnerable, and costs of injuries in agricultural settings.

Learn more about the Post-Application Coverage Endorsement (PACE) Crop Insurance Policy for 2024 during a webinar hosted by IL Corn.

Experts Dr. Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois Professor in Agricultural and Consumer Economics, and Megan Dwyer, CCA and Director of Conservation and Nutrient Stewardship for IL Corn, will walk participants through this game-changing coverage endorsement and answer any questions.

This two-part webinar series will provide an in-depth analysis of risk management decisions and strategies for the 2024 crop year. Lower commodity prices are expected for the 2024 crop and marketing years compared to the past 3 years, resulting in a much tighter margin environment and increased importance of risk management decisions.

Part 1 on February 19, 2024 will feature Gary Schnitkey who will join Nick Paulson to discuss the commodity program alternatives with a focus on corn and soybean producers in Illinois. Crop insurance alternatives for 2024 will also be discussed as projected insurance prices are being set in February. Both crop insurance and ARC/PLC enrollment decisions must be made by March 15th.

Farmers, ranchers, and ag operators were deemed ‘essential’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning how to protect employees, families, clients, and the community evolved throughout the pandemic and uncertainty was often difficult to navigate. In the webinar, we hope to bring forward some of the lessons learned during the pandemic and help share strategies for responding…

This two-part webinar series will provide an in-depth analysis of risk management decisions and strategies for the 2024 crop year. Lower commodity prices are expected for the 2024 crop and marketing years compared to the past 3 years, resulting in a much tighter margin environment and increased importance of risk management decisions.

Part 2 on March 4, 2024 will feature Bruce Sherrick who will join Nick Paulson to focus on crop insurance alternative for 2024.  Projected insurance prices will be known at this time, allowing for a more accurate look at the risk protection and premium costs associated with the commonly used insurance programs as the March 15th crop insurance sales closing date approaches. Individual coverage

This webinar will provide an overview of the major trends in U.S. agriculture, such as the decline in the number of farms, the increase in farm size, and the growing diversity of producers. We will also discuss the implications of these trends for the future of food production and rural communities. The 2022 USDA Census…

This webinar will provide an overview of the census data and trends specific to Illinois and the Midwest. By highlighting the unique circumstances and opportunities faced by farmers in this region, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the agricultural sector and contribute to informed policy-making processes.

The 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture provides a wealth of information about the state of American agriculture. This webinar series will explore findings from the census, and discuss trends of U.S. agriculture.

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We will explore the world of grain safety, shedding light on various types of incidents and the alarming statistics surrounding them. We will delve into the immense pressure exerted by grain, a contributing factor to the severity of injuries and tragic fatalities. Moreover, we will examine the distinction between youth and adult entrapments, analyzing potential…

Cover crops remain the best conservation practice in the organic rich soils of the Midwest where nutrient loss, soil health, and climate change are concerns. Many farmers have also seen agronomic benefits related to weed control, water infiltration, and protection during crop-loss weather events. Still, there are challenges for farm-level profitability and risks. Using Precision…

Farm work presents many hazards that can lead to injury, illness, and even death. This webinar focuses on the unique risks faced by agricultural workers, including migrant and hired laborers, and ways to protect their safety and health. We will discuss common issues like pesticide exposure, musculoskeletal disorders, transportation incidents, and lack of adequate housing.…

Discussion of current and upcoming technology that will change the way we farm. This includes discussions on Internet of Things, Autonomous Machinery, Sensors, and Livestock handling. We will discuss how each of these technologies will contribute to a safer and more productive farm. We will also cover what are the risks of these technologies and…

Heat exposure can negatively affect agricultural workers, but there are ways to prevent it. Review risk factors, early symptoms, treatment, workplace controls like rest breaks and hydration, and personal protective measures when working in hot conditions.

New Data from PCM with Focus on Cover Crops and Tillage. Precision Conservation Management (PCM) works directly with farmers and uses data analysis to determine how farmers can implement conservation practices without sacrificing profits. This webinar from Greg Goodwin (IL Corn Growers Association) and Gary Schnitkey (University of Illinois farmdoc team) covers 9 years of data-driven insights. We will emphasize profitable practices using cover crops. Profitability and tillage practices will be examined.

Overview of agriculture-related injury and illness tracking programs active in Illinois. Will cover data collection methods, trends identified, and how surveillance information guides prevention initiatives for the agriculture community.

Here we will take a deeper dive into nitrogen management relations to profitability and the environment. We will also look at the potential and issues associated with carbon markets.

Delve into the critical role of connectivity in modern farming. The first session of the I-FARM webinar series will explore the various technologies enabling seamless communication between farm equipment, sensors, and management systems. Attendees will learn about the latest advancements in IoT, satellite, and wireless communication technologies that are transforming the agricultural landscape.

Children and teens make up a significant portion of injuries and fatalities in agriculture. This webinar looks at why young people are uniquely vulnerable to farm hazards. We will review child labor laws and resources for legally employing youth in agriculture. You'll learn about equipment risks, and key safety practices to prevent farm incidents. We'll…

We will look at environmental indicators from PCM farms and their relationship to farming practices. NEW this year: PCM has separate data available for high SPR and low SPR soils so you can better assess how conservation practices could impact your fields.

Naveen Uppalapati, Research Scientist, Center for Digital Agriculture, UIUC

Explore the transformative impact of robotics in agriculture. The second series session will highlight the latest innovations in agricultural robots, including planting, harvesting, and monitoring robots. Attendees will learn about the benefits and challenges of integrating robots into farm operations and the future of robotic technology in agriculture.

Farming and ranching are filled with stressors like financial pressures, uncertain conditions, long hours, and social isolation. This webinar focuses on mental health challenges common in agriculture and ways to foster resilience and wellbeing. We will discuss signs and symptoms of conditions like anxiety, depression, and suicide risk. You'll gain strategies for managing stress, building…

Shadi Attallah, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Consumer Economics, UIUC

Shadi will examine the economic aspects of adopting weeding robots on farms. This session will cover how robot prices, corn prices, the robot weeding efficacy, and a farmer’s planning horizon affect how many robots to adopt and to what extent weeding robots can increase farm profitability and reduce weed resistance to herbicides.

When injury, illness, or natural disasters strike, farmers and ranchers need help to continue operating. This webinar highlights two key resources for farmers in crisis. We will explain the Farm Rescue program which plants, harvests, hauls, and does chores for free when farmers have an emergency. We'll also cover the AgrAbility program helping agriculture workers…

University of Illinois agricultural economists Dr. Gary Schnitkey and Dr. Nick Paulson invite you to a webinar focused on farmland rent agreements for the 2025 production year. They will present an overview of the current state of Illinois farmland rents, explaining the factors that led to record-high rents in recent years and the economic conditions now pointing towards necessary adjustments.

This final webinar looks ahead at emerging technologies and innovations that will transform safety in agriculture. We will showcase cutting-edge research around autonomous equipment, wearable tech, telematics, and digital training tools. You'll gain insights into how these futuristic solutions could monitor risks, prevent incidents, and improve health outcomes for agricultural workers. We'll discuss how farmers,…

Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Rainfall Index Insurance (PRF-RI) is a relatively new insurance product offered by the USDA Risk Management Agency. PRF-RI is meant to insure livestock and forage producers against lower than average rainfall which could decrease forage production. This webinar will explore PRF-RI as a potential risk management tool for livestock and forage…