ISU Department of Agriculture Hosted 2026 NACTA Judging Conference

Jun 02, 2026

By Dr. Nicholas Heller

The Illinois State University Department of Agriculture proudly hosted the 2026 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference this spring, welcoming nearly 700 students, faculty, coaches, and industry professionals from across the country to Bloomington-Normal for one of the largest collegiate agriculture judging events in North America.

Hosted annually by a member institution, the NACTA Judging Conference provides undergraduate students with opportunities to compete in career-focused agricultural events that strengthen technical knowledge, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and professional decision-making skills. The 2026 conference featured 17 separate competitive events spanning disciplines across the agricultural industry.

Illinois State hosted contests and activities across campus and at several partner locations including the Interstate Center, Cross Implement, and the Livingston County Fairgrounds. Students competed in more than 1,200 individual contest entries throughout the week, showcasing the depth and diversity of agricultural education programs nationwide.

“This event represented the very best of agricultural higher education,” said Dr. Lucas Maxwell, chair of the Department of Agriculture. “These judging competitions gave students an opportunity to apply what they learned in the classroom while building professional skills, confidence, and industry connections. We were honored to welcome colleagues and students from across the country to Illinois State University.”

Source : illinoisstate.edu

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.