IDNR agriculture lease frequently asked questions

Here is a list of common questions received by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

• How do I bid on an agricultural lease? The IDNR will hold pre-bid meetings in the fall prior to the start of a contract to discuss the bidding process and the contract requirements. Each lease will be a five-year lease.
• What is BidBuy? BidBuy is the electronic procurement system used by state agencies under the jurisdiction of the chief procurement officer for general services. Currently, all bidders must register with BidBuy to be eligible to enter into a contract with the State of Illinois. 
• How do I register to bid for an ag lease? When asked you for an NIGP code, enter 944-00 (farming and ranching) and 944-48 (hay farming). Other NIGP codes are 944-34 (corn farming), 944-76 (soybean farming), 944-38 (crop farming NEC and grain farming NEC).
• What happens after I register? You will receive information, including pre-bid meeting dates, by email for all agricultural leases entered into the system that are open for bid. The advertisements are usually in BidBuy 14 days in advance of the pre-bid meetings.
• Who will determine the cropping plan for each site? IDNR generates a cropping plan. The natural resource goals of the site will determine how the specific agriculture lease will be managed. Most sites will have a corn-bean rotation, while some will incorporate cover crops, wheat, legume and hay.
• What about cover crops? The IDNR is looking to move towards a cover crop/reduced tillage (Strip/Vertical) rotation to build soil health, reduce erosion, and improve water quality. Cover Crops have been implemented on many of our sites and cover crops are encouraged on most sites. We also will evaluate the use of different cover crop mixes not only to improve soil health but create suitable overwintering habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
• Why sunflowers? Many sites have a dove hunting program and will incorporate sunflowers in some designated fields' rotation. Field preparation, planting and mowing of the sunflowers are often a requirement of the lessee.
• What other expectations may there be? The lessee could also be required leave a portion of some fields crops left standing, mow or maintain field roads or levees and plant food plots.
  
• What about insecticides and pollinators? To help protect pollinator communities, specifically ground-nesting species, Neonicotinoid-treated soybean seed with Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Clothianidin, Acetamiprid, Thiacloprid, Dinotefuran or Nitenpyram insecticides are not permitted on IDNR agricultural leases.
• Can I use Dicamba? The use of Dicamba is not allowed.
• What do I need to know about hay leases? Hay leases have date restrictions to accommodate ground-nesting wildlife.
  
• Does IDNR do soil testing? IDNR staff will perform required soil testing in the fall of the fourth year. Lessees are required to take soil samples in the second year of the lease and may perform additional soil testing at other times during the term of the farm lease, solely at the lessees' expense. Copies of all soil testing shall be sent to the lessee and the IDNR park or site. The lessee will be responsible to maintain the soil maintenance levels according to IDNR agricultural lease minimum soil test levels for agricultural fields.
• Can I till in the fall? Lessees will not perform any fall tillage (moldboard, disking or chisel) unless specifically requested by the site superintendent. Fall tillage must be consistent with the USDA Conservation Plan Standards. Except for strip tillage for fall fertilizer application, however, no nitrogen may be applied in the fall.
• Can I use vertical tillage? Lessee shall be allowed to utilize vertical tillage, such as para plow (fall or spring), if there are any compaction problems on any of the crop fields. Vertical tillage must be consistent with USDA Conservation Plan Standards and must be pre-approved and in writing by the IDNR agricultural farm lease manager.
• Do I have to document chemical use? Lessees agree to document and log all chemical and fertilizer applications. Log forms shall be submitted to the IDNR park or site office by Dec. 15 each year.
• Does the IDNR have pasture leases? IDNR has approximately 1,200 acres of pasture in Perry and Piatt counties. The Department is actively moving towards improving pasture health by balancing animal unit (cattle, sheep, and goats) stocking rates and managing grazing dates to promote better plant recovery times leading to more suitable habitat for grassland wildlife.