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Research on pennycress aims to go from weed to cash crop

Researchers are helping Midwest farmers explore what crops they might add to a traditional corn-soybean rotation. Pennycress is being studied for its potential to grow as a cash crop between soybeans and corn.

Illinois State University crop scientist and researcher Nicholas Heller showed farmers on tour at ISU’s University Farm in Lexington Aug. 15 some things learned, so far, about growing pennycress here.

This research is just part of the 440-acre crop and livestock farm in Lexington that welcomes about 3,000 visitors a year and helps educate 420 ISU ag students annually, said ISU agricultural professor Rob Rhykerd on the field day sponsored by the Illinois Soybean Association.

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Alion - Alternative fence line herbicide a win for weed control

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Weeds along fence lines and typically their delayed control with leftover herbicides after seeding has long proved a problem for achieving optimum weed control within cropping paddocks and keeping herbicide resistance at bay. However, alternative mode of action, pre-emergent residual herbicides have recently become available and one in particular is showing that, when applied early with existing knockdowns, it offers excellent length of control, good safety to trees and potential to reduce resistance development.