Ag Night at the Normal Cornbelters Promises a Cornucopia of Fun and Education on June 28th

Jun 21, 2024

The Normal Cornbelters are thrilled to announce Ag Night on June 28th, a celebration that promises to be a-maize-ing for fans of all ages! Packed with tons of games, vendors, and giveaways, this event is sure to be a hit. A special highlight of the night will be the biofuels trailer—a real ear-opener for anyone interested in learning more about renewable energy and agriculture.

You won’t want to miss learning about the CornBelter’s namesake, the fact that McLean County, Illinois grows more corn than any other county in the nation. And in case you missed it, we’re talking field corn, used for biofuels, corn plastics, sweeteners and more and not sweet corn that you enjoy as a veggie in late summer. If this is news to your ears, we’ve got even more background on McLean County’s legacy in the biofuels trailer, featured during this event.

The biofuels trailer, a 45-foot-long marvel, is dedicated to all things biofuels. Visitors will discover how the fuels are produced in Illinois, their ability to improve our environment by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and how they positively impact our economy. This mobile education center is stocked full of educational, interactive displays, videos, and more, making it a must-see attraction for the evening.

Click here to see more...

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.