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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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One of the Most Important Passes on Our Corn Crop

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All of our crops are finally in the ground, and now we're making one of the most important passes of the season. In this video, we side-dress our corn with nitrogen and sulfur using a 16-row applicator, placing the nutrients right between the rows before the crop enters its rapid growth stage. This fertilizer will help feed the corn through the summer as it takes off and pushes toward harvest.