Alma Mater Plots envision next 150 years of crop research

Published 6:57 pm Tuesday, August 4, 2026

A remarkable agricultural experiment, the so-called Alma Mater Plots, is taking shape just south of the main quad at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

With 64 one-acre plots, each individually tile-drained, it’s the largest experiment of its kind anywhere. To maximize the value to Illinois and Midwest agriculture, scientists are teaming up with farmers to decide what to study.

The public is invited to tour the plots and provide input on Aug. 11 during the Alma Mater Plots Agronomy Day.

The research team has spent the last year assembling a diverse advisory board and seeking input directly from Illinois agriculturalists. They’ve conducted more than a dozen focus groups to date, attended by more than 140 farmers, and plan to gather feedback from farmers, industry and policy stakeholders through the end of 2026.

The plots are designed to carry the tradition of the historic Morrow Plots forward for future generations. Celebrating their 150th year in 2026, U of I’s Morrow Plots are the second-oldest continuously running agricultural experiment in the world.

“The whole point of the Morrow Plots was to address questions that Illinois farmers had, as part of our land-grant mission,” said German Bollero, dean of U of I’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. “That’s how it really began. They invited farmers to campus for Extension days at the Morrow Plots. It was a big deal for the farm community. We’re trying to bring that back for the next 150 years.”

The current iteration of the Morrow Plots — a single acre with 24 subplots — can fit inside one of the 64 Alma Mater subplots. With enough land set aside to expand to 75 or more plots, the new plots represent a more realistic scale and afford researchers much greater statistical power to make confident management recommendations.

A key feature of the Alma Mater Plots is their individually monitored drainage tiles, which allow researchers to test the impacts of cropping systems, inputs and management practices on water quality in real time. Since the plots were established in 2024, researchers have been collecting baseline data on water quality.

“If we are going to farm some of the wettest soils in the country, we need tile. But we are very passive about tile — we tend to put them in and walk away. Farmers could be managing water a lot more intentionally,” said Andrew Margenot, director of the Alma Mater Plots and the Morrow Plots.

“Are there trade-offs to tile drainage? Absolutely. Let’s optimize those trade-offs, in particular increasing nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency and profitability, and minimizing nitrate losses.”

Hot weather and cattle

With hot weather in full swing and cattle standing in ponds and streams, producers should watch for foot rot.

Foot rot can limit cattle mobility, reduce performance, increase treatment costs and hurt profitability.

Infections typically cause lameness, along with swelling and redness in the interdigital tissue and nearby coronary band. Necrotic lesions also may develop, often producing a foul odor. If left untreated, the infection can spread, causing swelling around both digits and the hoof hairline and potentially separating the claw.

“Factors that contribute to foot rot include moisture, injury, disease and nutrient deficiencies,” University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist Patrick Davis said.

To reduce foot rot incidence, producers can take preventive steps, including:
Manage the environment — Limit cattle exposure to manure, mud and wet conditions. Fence cattle out of ponds and streams.

Provide a balanced nutrition program — Trace minerals such as zinc, selenium and copper help maintain skin and hoof wall integrity.

Proper hoof care — Select structurally sound animals to reduce foot problems. Limit time on abrasive or sharp surfaces such as rocks, gravel and concrete to reduce hoof irritation that can lead to foot rot.