Field runoff of various chemicals applied to farms all across the Midwest have been linked to ‘hypoxia.’ This condition is when oxygen levels are too low for marine life to survive and has been affecting the Gulf of Mexico for many years. The severity of hypoxia in this body of water differs from year to year and has been tracked for the last 38 years by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 2024, an area of 6,705 square miles was considered a “dead zone,” which is roughly the size of New Jersey.
Looking further into this issue is Bin Peng, Assistant Professor within the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois. Peng describes his research in to nitrogen budgets and the effect it has on field and watershed scales.
To move forward in his research, Peng believes he must understand the historical trends to gauge the current situation. Peng knows that this research must be localized to understand how Illinois farmers can better apply necessary fertilizers.
According to Peng, this research and farmers experience coincide and benefit one another.
Find out more by visiting www.extension.illinois.edu. You can also call the Christian County University of Illinois Extension Office at 217-287-7246.
Bin Peng appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show when we visited the Dudley Smith Winter Farm Meeting held at the Christian County University of Illinois Extension Office.
