Illinois Farm Bureau will team with the U of I to offer 14 regional farm bill meetings. page 2
With a second, national beef checkoff dead, Illinois producers push to revive the state checkoff. page 4
Meet Matt Rush, new Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader State Committee Chairman. page 5
Hot air balloon concerns surface support for farmer Monday, January 5, 2015
Two sections Volume 43, No. 1
BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
A McHenry County farmer’s problems with hot air balloons surfaced balloon owners and pilots who want to work with farmers. A recent FarmWeek article shared Huntley farmer Dan Ziller’s comments about his dairy cows’ injuries and alfalfa crop damage as a result of hot air balloons. After Ziller spoke during the Illinois Farm Bureau annual meeting, county Farm Bureau delegates passed new IFB policy supporting efforts to enforce hot air balloon regulations for trespassing and potentially endangering livestock. Dean Carlton, a hot air balloon pilot who raises beef cattle near Danville, told FarmWeek he was concerned after reading about Ziller’s problems and wanted to assist. Carlton, who serves as Great Lakes regional director for the Balloon Federation of America and
‘The last thing we need is the agricultural community (to be) upset at our sport.’ — Dean Carlton Hot air balloon pilot
treasurer of the Balloon Association of Greater Illinois, said his organizations work with the farming community to identify concern areas, and to encourage appropriate pilot and crew behavior. In the Vermilion County area, balloon owners, working with farmers and others, have developed maps marked with sensitive areas, such as dairy farms, Carlton said. The group shares the maps with hot air balloon pilots and crews, he added. “We fly in rural areas,” Carlton said. “The last thing we need is the agricultural community (to be) upset at our
Davis looks ahead at 2015 BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek
Periodicals: Time Valued
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis described tax reform as a “must do” in 2015. “There are so many important issues to Illinois agriculture when it comes to taxes,” said Davis, a Republican from Taylorville. “It’s not just about Section 179.” Davis said Congress must also fix the corporate tax rate to help Americans be more globally competitive. Agriculture groups, including IFB, have lobbied Congress to tackle tax
extenders early in the new year. A temporary extension for tax breaks, including Section 179 at the $500,000 level, expired Dec. 31. Davis spoke to FarmWeek and RFD Radio Network® recently, discussing the final actions of the 113th Congress and looking ahead to 2015. The new Congress, which includes a Republican-controlled Senate for the first time in eight years, convenes Tuesday. He predicted a “vocal debate” about United States’ relationship with Cuba and whether the trade embargo should be lifted. President Barack Obama recently announced plans to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, the first change in policy since relations were severed in 1961. The Illinois Cuba Working Group, of which the Illinois Farm Bureau is a founding member, has called on members of the new Congress to lift the trade embargo altogether. Davis, who has visited Cuba, said the issue isn’t a partisan one. “Many people in Washington agree that we should be trading with Cuba, even more so than we do now,” he said. “We can never forget: Illinois agricul-
sport. Guys who are bad operators cause grief for guys who follow the rules. “In the end, the balloon pilot is responsible for anything his balloon impacts,” Carlton continued. “We try to influence good behavior.” Another hot air balloon owner contacted Ziller directly after reading about his situation. The operator of a new balloon port that opened west of Ziller’s farm apologized and assured Ziller “that (situation) will never happen with us,” the farmer said. He also guaranteed Ziller that he would be compensated for damage.
Ziller said farmers in his area deal with hot air balloons from May through November. Balloons approach his farm from the east and the west, he noted. Frequently, the balloons fly over on Saturday and Sunday evenings when his family has chores or an event to attend. “We’ll say, ‘Here comes a balloon in the air. We’ve got to stick around to see where it lands,’” Ziller said. Dan Volkers, McHenry County Farm Bureau manager, said he hopes the county Farm Bureau can develop a relationship with area hot air balloon operators and raise awareness about farmers’ concerns. Carlton said he’d be willing to work with the county Farm Bureau. Ziller was enthusiastic not only about maps marking ag sensitive areas, but possibly adding conservation areas that may be more suitable for balloon landing. “This idea’s fantastic,” he concluded.
U.S. Representative Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, provides a federal policy update in the RFD Radio Network studio. He cited tax issues and Cuba trade reform as priority issues for Congress in 2015. (Photo by Cyndi Cook)
ture already is a participant in trade with Cuba. It’s just an opportunity to increase our ability to sell corn, soybeans and other Illinois agricultural products with a country of over 10 million people.” Davis also discussed passage of the
$1.1 trillion spending bill, which avoided a government shutdown, reduced federal spending and ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw a controversial “interpretative rule” associated with its “waters of the U.S.” proposal.
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