The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a new, time-limited registration allowing over-the-top (OTT) dicamba use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons, marking a return of this tool after previous court vacaturs halted use in recent years. Under the agency’s announcement, this approval comes with what EPA describes as the strongest protections in its history for OTT dicamba application, reflecting ...more

Published every other month, the University of Illinois Extension releases the Illinois Pesticide Review Newsletter. The newsletter features timely updates on legislation, regulatory changes, and other developments that directly impact pesticide use across Illinois. The latest edition includes the following articles: Answers to common questions about pesticide licensing, training, and testing EPA launches new tools to help applicators meet ESA mitigation requirements Certified to apply ...more

IFCA received notice that both phosphate and potash were added the U.S. Geological Survey’s newly released Final List of Critical Minerals. This is a huge win for the fertilizer industry that has worked on this issue over a handful of years. Both phosphate and potash are essential to U.S. food and national security. Including these minerals on the Critical Minerals ...more

Below are few key issues that IFCA was watching at the Capitol as legislators wrapped up veto session:   Energy Legislation Energy legislation is set to become law after passing through both legislative chambers with the governor’s endorsement. SB25 funds energy storage systems through a new charge to Illinois electric customers that will take effect in 2030. The bill also lifts a longtime ban ...more

It is critical that this administration, Congress, state legislators, and other policymakers understand the importance of pesticides to keeping American agriculture strong. A strong American economy depends on the ability of farmers to protect crops from weeds, pests, and disease.    Our national partner, CropLife America, has published a new fact sheet explaining the vital role pesticides play in modern agriculture. The ...more

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the September 29, 2023, crash near Teutopolis, Illinois, that killed five people and injured several others. According to the NTSB, the probable cause of the accident was an unsafe passing maneuver by a 17-year-old driver in a no-passing zone. This action forced the driver of a cargo tank truck to take evasive measures, leading to ...more

A new analysis from North Dakota State University’s Agricultural Trade Monitor shows that recent U.S. tariffs are already shifting global fertilizer supply chains, creating potential long-term risks for American agriculture.   Following the Trump administration’s April decision to impose a 10 percent baseline tariff on nearly all U.S. imports, fertilizer imports from tariff-covered countries have dropped sharply. Between April and ...more

The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association recently hosted a webinar with Dr. John Jones on fall nitrogen management. He discussed how dry conditions, soil moisture, and recent corn nitrogen trials affect fertilizer use, as well as the role of cover crops, profit margins, and nutrient removal rates. Dr. Jones also emphasized soil sampling for more efficient fertilizer planning.   Click here to view the webinar ...more

IFCA was recently in Washington, D.C. representing our members and advocating for the agricultural industry. During the visit, IFCA met with the Illinois congressional delegation, members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, the Agricultural Retailers Association, The Fertilizer Institute, CropLife America, and the EPA. Key topics discussed with senators and representatives included the government shutdown, the farm economy, tariffs, MAHA, and the ...more

President Trump released two executive orders (EOs) regarding tariffs released by the White House. IFCA has been receiving calls from our members asking what was in it. Here are a few key takeaways from the executive orders issued last week: The EO titled Further Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates establishes a host of new ad valorem duties, raising tariff rates above the previous 10% baseline for nearly 70 ...more

This week, IFCA and other business groups requested Gov. Pritzker veto SB328. SB328 would change Illinois from a “single jurisdiction” to a “general jurisdiction” state, meaning trial lawyers can forum shop and sue companies in Illinois even if the facility, impacted worker(s), or alleged toxic tort incident did not occur in Illinois. A company could be ...more