Lower crop prices could push farmland values and cash rents lower this year. page 3
The Illinois State Fair begins Thursday. Don’t miss fun IFBsponsored family activities. page 5
IAA Foundation scholars share their thoughts about the benefits of receiving education funding. page 16
Farmers hope extra bushels fill price void Monday, August 4, 2014
BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek
Farmers hope predictions of excellent to possibly record-breaking yields come true this year after a dramatic drop in prices. Extra bushels could help offset price losses in the months ahead. “We’re always better when we raise more bushels,” David Erickson, Illinois Farm Bureau Vice President, told FarmWeek. “The market certainly expects it. A big crop is kind of built in (to prices).” Farmers this year could see prices average just $10.50 per bushel for beans and around $4 or less for corn, according to Chad Hart, associate professor/crop markets specialist at Iowa State University. Prices the previous three years averaged $5.18, $6.22 and $6.89 for corn and $11.30, $12.50 and $14.40 for beans, respectively, Hart noted. “We’re looking at below breakeven (prices) on some farms (this year),” Hart said.
Two sections Volume 42, No. 31
“That’s something we haven’t dealt with in quite a while.” The possibility of more bushels to sell this year, if realized, obviously could take some of the sting out of price collapse. But it won’t make up the difference as farm income could drop 20 percent based on some estimates. “Things are looking favorable for record production (of corn and beans),” Hart said. “More volume will help (farm income) a little bit, but it doesn’t fill the hole” created by lower prices. Crop conditions in Illinois last week remained on target for a binbuster harvest. Eighty-two percent of the corn crop and 78 percent of beans were rated good to excellent as of the first of last week. The majority of corn (94 percent) was silking, 9 points ahead of average, while 83 percent of beans were blooming, 11 points ahead of average.
HARVESTING A SWEET CROP
Mark Schottman of Effingham shows a prize ear of sweet corn. Scottman planted 40 acres and sells corn at roadside stands near Effingham and the Urbana farmers’ market. Read more about the sweet corn crop on page 8. (Photo by Ken Kashian)
Illinois farmer veteran marketing, branding campaign begins BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
Periodicals: Time Valued
Illinois shoppers soon may support farmers who served their country thanks to a new marketing campaign.
See Bushels, page 3
Last week, the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the Farmer Veteran Coalition announced a new “Homegrown By Heroes” Illinois marketing and branding initiative. “People are patriotic. I think it’s an excellent idea,” said Dennis Alten, a Harvard farmer who served in the Army from 1963-65. In May, the Farmer Veteran Coalition launched a nationwide Homegrown By Heroes marketing initiative, which originally was created by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in 2013. Illinois emerged as the first state with its own initiative because the state ag community offered “the biggest team and the most initiative,” said Michael O’Gorman, executive director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition. “Illinois will allow a grassroots effort to reach the veterans for recruitment
and promotion,” O’Gorman added. Veterans of any era and active military personnel may apply for Homegrown By Heroes certification. Eligible farmers, ranchers and fishermen must have served honorably or be actively serving in any branch of the U.S. military and own at least 50 percent and/or operate the farm business. In the near future, certified Illinois veterans may use a special Illinois Homegrown By Heroes logo on product labels and signs to promote and market their products.
“Taking a statewide approach will lead toward a cohesive program, providing an opportunity for integration of resources and marketing opportunities,” said Cynthia Haskins, IFB manager of business development and compliance. A statewide steering committee is being formed to implement the program in Illinois. O’Gorman said he met with representatives of several chain stores and hopes to launch promotions in their stores. Veterans gave positive feedback from the nationwide program. One doubleamputee veteran, who uses the logo to market his eggs, always sells out even though he charges more than his competitors, according to O’Gorman. In the future, O’Gorman envisions an online presence so consumers could find and order Homegrown By Heroes products electronically.