Regular soil testing and monitoring are typically done early in the year to optimize nutrient application and maintain soil health before planting season.

Using the 4Rs (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place) of nutrient management is typically practiced just before or during the planting season and it helps Illinois farmers efficiently apply fertilizer and minimize nutrient losses.

On hilly ground, Illinois farmers can plan their fieldwork to strategically follow the natural elevation of the land, helping prevent erosion and runoff from farm fields. Plans for contour farming are often made before planting season begins.

Practices like no-till and reduced tillage, which involve minimal disturbance of the soil, can be implemented before or during Illinois’ planting season to help reduce erosion, improve water retention, and preserve soil structure.

IPM involves taking a balanced approach to pest control, combining biological, chemical, and cultural methods to control pests with the goal of reducing the need for chemical pesticides. IPM is most active during the growing season when pest populations are developing, and crops are most vulnerable.

Installing grass buffers along waterways and drainage areas, often done in the summer, is a great way Illinois farmers are helping to naturally filter sediments and chemicals from runoff.

Double cropping is common in Illinois where a farmer plants and harvests a second crop (like soybeans) in the same year as a wheat harvest. Where practical, double cropping increases diversity, reduces erosion, and improves farm profitability.

Planting native vegetation and creating wildlife habitats, often done in summer, can enhance the biodiversity of a natural environment and provide natural pest control. Natural spaces around fields are ideal habitats for pollinators and other beneficial insects. 

Planting cover crops like clover, cereal rye, or radishes during the off-season helps Illinois farmers prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and increase organic matter in preparation for the main growing season.

The use of technology, such as GPS-guided tractors and drones, helps Illinois farmers precisely apply inputs like water, fertilizer, and pesticides, reducing waste and environmental impact. This can be ongoing throughout the year but may see increased use in late fall for planning the next growing season.

Planting natural vegetation such as water-loving trees, shrubs, and grasses, along streams and rivers can help reduce erosion, filter pollutants, and provide habitat for wildlife. Many Illinois farmers plant these in late fall following the main growing season when the soil is still warm enough for vegetation to establish root growth before winter dormancy.

Many Illinois farmers will routinely alternate the types of crops they plant in a particular field from season to season. This helps prevent soil depletion, reduce pests and diseases, and promote soil health. Crop rotation decisions for the next planting season are often made in the winter months.