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Soil microbes are what have built soil highways for efficient transport and storage of soil moisture, gases and nutrients. "Soil microorganisms decay organic matter and cycle nutrients back into forms that plants can use,” says Jill Clapperton, rhizosphere (root zone) ecologist and president of Rhizoterra, Lolo, Mont. “Tiny soil animals like protozoa, amoebae, nematodes and mites feed on organic matter, fungi, bacteria and each other. Together these activities stabilize soil aggregates, build a better soil habitat and improve soil structure, tilth and productivity.”

The 2013 version of the Crop Insurance Decision Tool is now available for download from the FAST section and Crop Insurance section of farmdoc. If projected prices and volatilities are the same as last year, most corn and soybean premiums in Illinois will be lower in 2013 as compared to 2012.

Over the last year, we've done our best to help our readers Think Different. From management practices to conservation to global competition to data management, we're striving to give you the best. Here's a recap of our favorite Think Different stories from the November, Late November and December issues. From sensors and root and soil health to residual herbicide use and sharing cover crop information, so much is here to help you Think Different about your farming operation.