Farmweek july 28 2014 by Illinois Farm Bureau

Late-winter deer hunting will no longer be allowed in 20 counties due to lower deer numbers. page 3

Farmer David Brown pumps up his bottom line with timely irrigation applications on crops. page 8

IFB Young Leader award finalists share their passion for farming and agricultural leadership. page 4-5

Organizations: Stop EPA’s proposed rule Monday, July 28, 2014

Two sections Volume 42, No. 30

DAZZLING DISPLAY

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

A diverse group representing a variety of industries — agriculture, construction, real estate, mining, manufacturing and energy — urged members of Congress recently to put the brakes on a proposed rule redefining “waters of the U.S.” The Waters Advocacy Coalition, which includes American Farm Bureau Federation, supports HR 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act. The bill would block the proposed rule, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers, for two years. Under the bill, the agencies must consult with state and local officials, and draft an agreeable proposal, which must be submitted to Congress within two years. “HR 5078 would lead to a better rule by requiring the agencies to conduct a transparent, representative and open consultation with state and local officials to develop a consensus about those waters that should be under federal jurisdiction,” the group wrote to leaders of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “Consistent with the Clean Water Act, all other waters would remain under the jurisdiction of the various states where they can appropriately address the diversity and variability of water and land features, and how best to protect them.” The bill, introduced by Rep. Steve Southerland, RFla., recently passed out of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Illinois Farm Bureau urges its Illinois congressional delegation to support HR 5078.

Periodicals: Time Valued

See EPA page 3

Water from an irrigation rig creates a rainbow over a field in White County during a pleasant summer day. Irrigation can significantly boost crop yields, even in a ‘’wet” year such as this season, particularly on light, sandy soils in southern Illinois. See more about irrigation on Page 8. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

Hundreds respond to IFB action request

Hundreds of Illinois Farm Bureau members recently flooded White House phones, urging President Barack Obama to “ditch the rule” redefining “waters of the U.S.” Adam Nielsen, IFB’s national legislative director, said members made 935 calls during IFB’s recent twoday action request. “That’s an overwhelming response in a short period from nearly 1,000 individual Illinois farmers who are rightly concerned about the potential impacts of EPA’s rule on their farms,” Nielsen said. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy recently called some concerns over the proposed rule “ludicrous.”

“Their concerns are not trivial, ludicrous or mythical; they are legitimate,” Nielsen said. “There’s no question our members captured the attention of both the White House and EPA, and we will work over the coming weeks to build on momentum of the recent call to action.” IFB encourages members to submit comments about how the proposed rule would affect them. Members who want help writing comments should send a draft to either Lauren Lurkins at llurkins@ilfb. org or Adam Nielsen at anielsen@ilfb.org. Members who have already written and submitted comments to EPA should email a copy of them to Andrew Larson at alarson@ilfb.org.

Illinois voter registration goes electronic BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Illinois now offers an electronic, paperless voter registration. In late June, Illinois joined 19 other states that offer online voter registration. To vote this November, Illinoisans must submit online registration applications by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 7 at {https://ova.elections.il.gov}. Online voter registration allows Illinois residents to register similar to how they have in the past. Instead of completing a paper application, individuals fill out a form via an Internet site and submit their paperless form electronically. As of last week, 1,113 individuals submitted online applications in Illinois. Anyone registering online must have an Illinois driver’s license or identification card from the secretary of state’s office,

an official with the Illinois State Board of Elections told FarmWeek. The State Board of Elections uses numbers from a driver’s license or state-authorized ID card to verify information, explained Kyle Thomas, director of voter and registration systems. An individual registering online also must submit the last four digits of his or her Social Security number. An applicant must further check a box on the electronic form to affirm that he or she is the person completing the See Voter, page 9

Quick Takes

FarmWeek • Page 2 • Monday, July 28, 2014

CROP TRAINING COURSES OFFERED — Farmers, Certified Crop Advisors and other agricultural professionals can receive 13 hours of training through the University of Illinois Extension’s Crop Management Conference series. Three courses currently available include getting high corn yields in a lower-corn-price world, planning/using on-farm trial data and Bt corn injury. A wheat disease identification and management course will be available soon. The crop management courses, 11 courses covering soil and water management topics, and two courses focusing on integrated pest management topics can be viewed free of charge at {web.extension.illinois.edu/cca/}. To obtain continuing education units, Certified Crop Advisors must register, log in, pay a small fee, view each slide in its entirety and complete a short quiz. For more information, contact U of I Extension Educator Angie Peltier at apeltier @illinois.edu.

GROWMARK SELECTS AGINTEGRATED — GROWMARK has teamed with AgIntegrated (AGI), an independent provider of ag information management consulting and technologies, to lead the development of FS Advanced Information Services (FS AIS). FS AIS comprises a suite of tools which connects data, analysis, insight and application into one complete user experience for advanced field optimization. Working with AGI will allow GROWMARK to focus efforts on providing growers and FS company staff with the best-in-class user experience and the most informed agronomic decision-making capabilities. “As information and enabling technologies continued to advance at the farm level, we needed to create services that combined our business systems, agronomic systems and industry partners’ systems into one holistic platform to help our members provide better insight, generate efficiencies and make decisions,” said Ron Milby, GROWMARK executive director of agronomy marketing.

CORRECTION — Coles and Shelby County Farm Bureaus will host a “waters of the U.S.” session at 6 p.m. Aug. 5 at Custom Smokehouse, 3020 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon. The meeting time was incorrectly published in last week’s FarmWeek.

CHICKEN CONSUMPTION HATCHES — More chickens are crossing the road on to consumers’ plates, according to new research presented at the National Chicken Council’s Chicken Marketing Seminar last week. Overall, survey respondents said they ate an average of 6.1 meals or snacks containing chicken in the two weeks prior to the survey. That compares to 5.2 meals or snacks reported in 2012. Millennial respondents (aged 18-34) remain the most likely to eat chicken meals or snacks frequently (7.7). Chicken consumption does not differ significantly by gender. However, Midwesterners ate the lowest number of meals or snacks containing chicken, making it the only region where the rate of consumption did not increase since 2012.

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 42 No. 30 July 28, 2014 Dedicated to improving the profitability of farming, and a higher quality of life for Illinois farmers. FarmWeek is produced by the Illinois Farm Bureau. FarmWeek is published each week, except the Mondays following Thanksgiving and Christmas, by the Illinois Agricultural Association, 1701 Towanda Avenue, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61701. Illinois Agricultural Association assumes no responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products or services advertised in FarmWeek. FarmWeek is published by the Illinois Agricultural Association for farm operator members. $3 from the individual membership fee of each of those members goes toward the production of FarmWeek. “Farm, Family, Food” is used under license of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.

Address subscription and advertising questions to FarmWeek, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702-2901. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomington, Illinois, and at an additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices on Form 3579 to FarmWeek, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702-2901. Farm Bureau members should send change of addresses to their local county Farm Bureau. © 2014 Illinois Agricultural Association

STAFF Editor Chris Anderson (canderson@ilfb.org) Legislative Affairs Editor Kay Shipman (kayship@ilfb.org) Agricultural Affairs Editor Deana Stroisch (dstroisch@ilfb.org) Senior Commodities Editor Daniel Grant (dgrant@ilfb.org) Editorial Assistant Margie Fraley (mfraley@ilfb.org) Business Production Manager Bob Standard (bstandard@ilfb.org) Advertising Sales Manager Richard Verdery (rverdery@ilfb.org) Classified sales coordinator Nan Fannin (nfannin@ilfb.org) Director of News and Communications Michael L. Orso (morso@ilfb.org) Advertising Sales Representatives Hurst and Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 6011, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 1-800-397-8908 (advertising inquiries only) Gary White - Northern Illinois Doug McDaniel - Southern Illinois Editorial phone number: 309-557-2239 Classified advertising: 309-557-3155 Display advertising: 1-800-676-2353

Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders, left to right, John Klemm (DeWitt County), Doug Kirk (Vermilion County), Dale Pitstick (Kane County) and Ryan Voorhees (Tazewell County) study some North Carolina soil samples during a Young Leader Ag Industry Tour visit to the Lucas Richard Farm. Twenty IFB Young Leaders and two IFB staff members toured the diverse ag state this month. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Rhode, IFB director of membership and programs)

Young leaders see different side of ag

BY DANIEL GRANT

FarmWeek Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders John Klemm and Ryan Voorhees both use the word “diversity” to describe what they saw in North Carolina this month. Klemm and Voorhees were among 20 IFB Young Leaders (YLs), and two IFB staff members, who toured the ag industry in North Carolina this month. The 2014 YL Ag Industry Tour took place July 15-20. “Here in the Midwest, we get used to corn, soybeans and some occasional wheat,” said Voorhees, a YL from Washington (Tazewell County) who took part in his second Ag Industry Tour. “Overall, it was diversity of agriculture” that stuck out during the tour of North Carolina. North Carolina boasts about 52,200 farmers who produce more than 80 commodities. Nationwide, North Carolina produces more tobacco and sweet potatoes than any other state and ranks No. 2 in the production of hogs, turkeys and Christmas tree cash receipts. “North Carolina is a wonderfully diverse state. It defi-

nitely was a complete 180 from what we’re familiar with,” said Klemm, a YL from DeWitt County. “And the North Carolina Farm Bureau hospitality was second to none.” IFB Young Leaders on the tour visited the Mount Olive pickle factory, a tobacco and

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For more information a b o u t I F B ’s Yo u n g L e a d e r s trip to North Carolina, v i s i t F a r m We e k N o w. c o m .

sweet potato farm and an oyster hatchery. They followed the tobacco market through to final production with a visit to a cigarette manufacturing facility, among other stops. They also met with members of the North Carolina Farm Bureau throughout the trip. The labor intensive crops grown in North Carolina put a spotlight on the need for immigrant workers, according to Klemm and Voorhees. “It was a real eye opener there of how important immigration reform is to them,” Klemm said. “They (at a North Carolina sweet potato and tobacco farm) rely solely on immigrant workers during the

busy times.” A farm the IFB Young Leaders visited employs up to 60 seasonal workers. Crops such as sweet potatoes and tobacco require a tremendous amount of labor to plant, harvest, separate and store, Voorhees noted. “With those crops and the amount of labor that goes with them, they (North Carolina farmers) are very dependent on immigrant workers,” he said. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s hog and poultry industries consume a great deal of Midwest grain and soy meal. IFB Young Leaders visited a North Carolina town that receives a 100-car train of Midwest grain each day. This year’s YL Ag Industry Tour was the third such trip for Klemm, who called it an “unmatched experience.” Voorhees agreed. “They (YL Ag Industry Tours) are very worthwhile. “They open your eyes to another part of the country and another form of agriculture,” he said. IFB Young Leaders next year plan to host the Ag Industry Tour in Louisiana in March 2015.

Greene County meat processor loses license

The state revoked a Greene County meat processing plant’s license last week after citing it for repeated violations of the Illinois Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. The plant owners may appeal. Parks Locker Service of Greenfield was ordered to close after a July 16 hearing at the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) building, Springfield. An administrative judge’s ruling took effect immediately and ordered Parks Locker Service to stop “any and all processing and sale of meat or poultry products.” The judge issued the revocation order after hearing that IDOA meat and

poultry inspectors found 136 violations between March 24 and June 17, and that plant management either was unwilling or unable to correct the problems. The violations included water dripping onto meat rails, rust on meat hooks, peeling paint on walls and ceilings in areas where meat was stored or processed, and holes in floors, walls and doors. IDOA’s Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection oversees administration of the state Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. Currently, the bureau inspects 243 establishments across the state.

IDNR’s deer season alterations reflect deer population changes BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Deer populations reached state target levels in 20 counties, so the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is ending late-winter hunting season in those counties for 2014-15, IDNR’s forest wildlife program director told FarmWeek. Paul Shelton explained a county-by-county analysis, the same used in past years, considered deer-vehicle accidents, crop depredation and the number of deer hunted. After compiling that information, wildlife biologists make county-by-county recommendations for the upcoming hunting season. “You’re constantly making adjustments and trying to keep it (target population levels) there,” Shelton said. Last week’s announcement closes late-winter antlerlessonly deer season in Adams, Bond, Bureau, Calhoun, Clinton, Cumberland, Fayette, Hancock, Jefferson, Jersey, Logan, Menard, Perry, Randolph, Richland, Sangamon, Scott, St. Clair, Whiteside and Woodford counties. Another 32 counties already are closed to the latewinter season. Thirty-five counties remain open for the late-winter season, while an additional 12 counties are open for a special chronic wasting disease season held concurrently. Three northeast counties are not open for firearm hunting.

To view a map of county status for late-winter season, visit {dnr.illinois.gov/conserva tion/wildlife/Documents/2014 -15ProposedLWCounties.pdf}. In 2008, IDNR began working to decrease deer-vehicle collisions statewide by 14 percent from the 2003 peak. The department first achieved that goal statewide in 2012; however, some counties’ rates remain above that goal. In 2013, the deer-vehicle accident rate of 145.3 accidents per billion miles driven dropped slightly compared to 148.3 in 2012. IDNR ends late-winter season in counties whose accident rates stay below their individual goals for two consecutive years with a few exceptions. Other changes for the 201415 hunting season include a reduction of firearm permits in some counties. Statewide, the number of either-sex permits is being reduced by 4,925. Antlerlessonly permits are being reduced by 6,375. The total permit reduction amounts to roughly a 4.1 percent decrease. Last year, 277,585 firearm permits were available compared with 266,285 for the upcoming season. Quota reductions begin immediately and will affect the second firearm lottery. For details on permit changes in each county, visit {dnr.illinois.gov/conservation /wildlife/Documents/Illinois FirearmDeerPermitQuotas 2014.pdf}.

Page 3 • Monday, July 28, 2014 • FarmWeek

SCHOLARLY CONVERSATION

Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert Jr., left, talks with IAA Foundation Scholarship recipients Kimberly Perkins of Effingham County and Evelyn Epplin of Perry County. The young women joined 35 other scholarship recipients who lunched last week with IFB board members at the IFB Building. Students also gained firsthand knowledge about leadership, intern and career opportunities throughout the family of companies. Read more about the scholarship recipients in next week’s FarmWeek. (Photo by Cyndi Cook)

EPA

continued from page 1 “EPA’s rollout of this rule may be full of good intentions, but our reading of it continues to throw up nothing but red flags for farmers and landowners,” said Adam Nielsen, IFB’s national legislative director. “A majority of the House has already told EPA to go back to the drawing board. It’s time for Congress to reassert itself. “This bill wisely calls ‘timeout,’ pulls the plug on this rule, engages state and local water experts to reach consensus on a new rule and represents a reasonable way for-

ward,” Nielsen said. Reps. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, and Bill Enyart, D-Belleville, are among dozens of cosponsors of the bill. Davis referred to the proposed rule as a “slap in the face” to recent United States Supreme Court decisions. “(The term) navigable waterway should be defined much more clearly than it is in the proposed rule,” Davis said. “We also have to have some assurances the regulatory language isn’t going to be hodgepodge by region.”

Farmers exploring drainage technology to retain nutrients BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Adapted field tiles and drainage systems offer some farmers technology to move water off fields while retaining nutrients on the land. Farmers saw drainage-related practices and technology at a recent conservation drainage field day on two Auburn farms in Sangamon County. Two saturated buffer systems are being studied for their effectiveness in removing nitrates from tile drainage water. For each system, a lateral distribution line was installed parallel to the creek and connected to existing field tiles. By using a control structure, the farmers divert some of the drainage water into the lateral line and flood the 60-foot wide buffer, said Steve Baker, president of Springfield Plastics Inc. The diverted water flows through the subsurface lateral along the buffer strips. In Iowa field studies of saturated buffers, about half the drainage water was diverted into the buffer, which removed most of the nitrate from the diverted water. At the two Auburn buffers, frequent water samples from different locations within the tile/buffer systems are being tested, according to Baker. Initial test results reveal “the same pattern” as those

collected in the Iowa studies, according to Baker. “We don’t have hard proof yet, but (test results) tell us something is happening,” Baker said. Field day visitors also heard about bioreactors. For the first time, Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) added bioreactors to the list of practices eligible for Environmental Quality Incentives program funding. Illinois NRCS staff members are drawing plans now for bioreactors across the state, according to Sarah Anderson, NRCS assistant state conservation engineer. She did not have estimates of installation costs. In Iowa, bioreactor installation costs an estimated $7,000 to $10,000, according to Iowa State University. Farmers divert a portion of water from existing field tiles into bioreactors that filter the water and remove nutrients. Using a control structure, a farmer may divert a set portion of drainage water or manually change the amount of water that flows into a bioreactor and then flow from a drain at the other end of the bioreactor. Anderson described a bioreactor as a large hole lined with plastic and filled with wood chips. Leaving a bioreactor uncovered allows a farmer to add more wood chips when needed, she noted.

A solar-powered control box regulates tile drainage and diverts some of the water into a lateral subsurface line in a buffer strip, which helps removes part of the nitrogen. (Photo courtesy HPR Marketing)

University of Illinois researchers have studied bioreactors for about 10 years without having to replace wood chips, she said. NRCS estimates a bioreactor’s effective lifespan may range from 10 to 15 years, according to Anderson. Anderson didn’t have estimates of

the percent of nutrients that bioreactors remove from tile drainage. “We know it works and know it reduces nutrients,” she added. U of I research shows bioreactors can reduce 82.5 percent of phosphate and 46.4 percent of nitrates from tile drainage.

The 2014 Young Leader Achievement Award finalists FarmWeek • Page 4 • Monday, July 28, 2014

Illinois Farm Bureau’s Young Leader Achievement Award recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in farming and leadership. This year’s award winner will be honored during the Young Leader Agri-Quiz Bowl at the Illinois State Fair Aug. 12 in Springfield. Participants are judged on their management, innovation and selfinitiative as displayed through their farming operations. Leadership ability, and involvement and participation in county Farm Bureau or other civic, service or community organizations also are major factors in selecting the top young producer. The first place winner receives a Case IH 14 horsepower/two-passenger Scout courtesy of Case IH and IFB, a one-year membership in the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA), $2,500 cash courtesy of IFB, and expense-paid trips to the IFB annual meeting in St. Louis, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) 2015 annual meeting in San Diego, the 2015 AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers conference in Nashville and the 2015 GROWMARK annual meeting. The first runner-up will receive $1,500, courtesy of Farm Credit Illinois, 1st Farm Credit Services and IFB, and a one-year ICGA membership. Two producers are finalists in this year’s competition. They share their thoughts about maintaining farm traditions and leading the industry into the future. Interviews for this feature were conducted by Daniel Grant.

Matt/Jenna Kilgus Fairbury, Livingston County

Matt and Jenna Kilgus, along with Matt’s uncle, Paul, other family members and employees, milk a herd of about 140 Jersey cows. They bottle and market all the nonhomogenized milk, which means the cream from the milk naturally rises to the top. The Kilgus family bottles

all its milk three times a week and sells whole milk, 2 percent, skim milk, chocolate milk, heavy cream, half and half and soft-serve ice cream. “Demand has surpassed expectations,” Matt said. “It’s created stability for our income off milk and stability for our consumers. “A lot of our customers like the fact that our milk is from a single source, so they know where it’s coming from,” he noted.

The family doubled the size of its herd since opening their own bottling plant in 2009. They also expanded their consumer outreach efforts. “We’ve had a lot of people on our farm for tours,” Jenna said. “We’ve been able to educate kids and adults about agriculture. It’s been very rewarding.” Milk production so far this summer hasn’t declined much due in part to moderate temperatures. “It’s been an ideal summer for dairy cows,” Jenna said. “But it’s been a challenge to get our hay baled (due to wet conditions).” The Kilgus’ involvement in Young Leaders spans the past decade. “It (Young Leaders) helps us better ourselves and our operation,” Jenna said. “We’ve developed a huge network of young farmers and other individuals.” The couple has three children: Kamber, 7; Collin, 4; and Kelsey, 1. The next generation already shows interest in farming as all three children recently showed a cow in a local 4-H peewee show. Matt and Jenna are thirdgeneration farmers. This

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year marks the third time they’ve been finalists for the Achievement Award. “We feel very honored and blessed to be considered finalists,” Jenna added.

Grant Strom grows corn and soybeans, and raises pigs and cattle. His wife, Kristen, teaches English and attends Illinois State University to further her education. The couple farms with Grant’s parents, Doug and Marsha, and his sister and brotherin-law, Joanie and Jeff Stiers. “I knew the opportunity (to farm) would be available. Once I started college, that’s what I wanted to do,” Grant said. “My grandpa was ready to retire, so we started a threeyear transitional period.” Grant started farming full time immediately after he graduated from the University of Illinois in 2003. He would like to expand the farm down the road, but currently focuses on improving farmland in the operation.

“Trying to make the farm better, more productive and efficient has been our main focus,” he noted. Grant joined Young Leaders more than a decade ago when he was in college. “I saw it (Young Leaders) as a peer group I could be a part of,” he said. “I like being involved in ag leadership” including other groups such as 4-H and FFA. Grant also likes representing his county in various Young Leader competitions, such as Agri-Quiz Bowl and Discussion Meet. “I’m a competitive guy, so I like the competition (in Young Leaders),” he said. “I take a lot of pride representing my county.” Grant was the runner-up in the State Discussion Meet in 2009 and won the event in 2010 prior to his selection as an Achievement Award finalist. “It’s a great honor being selected as a finalist (for the Achievement Award),” he added. “Hopefully, it means I’m toward the top of my field and doing things right.” Grant and Kristen have two children, ages 2 and 4 years.

Cattlemen should be identifying bulls for the 2015 Illinois Performance Tested (IPT) bull sale, according to Travis Meteer, sale manager and University of Illinois Extension beef specialist. The sale, scheduled for Feb. 19, will launch the annual Illinois Beef Expo on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The sale accepts older and younger bulls with a birthdate range from Jan. 1, 2013, through March 2014. The sale continues to expand its market through an online bidding service. Multi-trait economic selection indexes will serve as the foundation for determining qualification and sale order. The sale order will be based off the “percent rank” for a maternal and a terminal dollar value index in each breed. The two indexes used have been included in the IPT Bull Sale catalog for several years. Individual breeds have additional indexes. Meteer said the 2015 sale policy regarding genetic conditions will be similar to the 2014 sale. Health requirements continue to be a focus and remain the same. They include the testing of all bulls for Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) using the Per-

sistently Infected (PI) ear-notch screening system. Johne’s testing must occur on the bull’s dam or recipient dam, or come from a herd that is Level 1 or higher for the Voluntary Johne’s Certification Program. All breeding soundness exams must be conducted by a veterinarian. Meteer said all bulls older than 24 months and bulls that have been exposed to cows will be required to be tested for trichomoniasis. Virgin bulls younger than 24 months will need a certificate or written statement endorsed by the bull owner indicating the animal has not been exposed. Each breeder may sell eight bulls with a nomination fee not required for two. However, consignors selling more than six bulls are required that the bulls index above the average for their breed at cataloging. First-time consignors are limited two bull nominations. Nomination deadline and fees are: Nov. 15, $75; Dec. 1, $100; and Dec. 15, $125. The rules, regulations and a nomination form along with past sale information are available by visiting {IPTBullSale.com}. Rules and information also are available by contacting Meteer at 217-430-7030 or wmeteer2 @illinois.edu.

Grant Strom Brimfield, Knox County

Cattlemen select bulls for 2015 IPT sale

The 2014 Young Leader Excellence Award finalists

Page 5 â&#x20AC;˘ Monday, July 28, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ FarmWeek

Longtime members of the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders (YL) program represent the two finalists for the 2014 Young Leader Excellence in Ag Award. Sean Arians, a Woodford County Farm Bureau member who lives in Normal, and Caleb and Kimberly May, Christian County Farm Bureau members from Pawnee, are this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finalists. The award winner will be announced Aug. 12 during the YL Agri-Quiz Bowl (Commodity Pavilion) at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The Ag Excellence Award recognizes county Farm Bureau Young Leaders who may not be full-time farmers for their efforts in agriculture and leadership achievement. Interviews for this feature were conducted by Daniel Grant.

Sean Arians Woodford County

Sean Arians, Woodford County, joined Young Leaders back in 2000 and a decade later served as Young Leader State Committee chairman in 2011.

with like-minded people who share the same passion for agriculture,â&#x20AC;? he continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allowed me to grow personally and professionally.â&#x20AC;? Arians serves as the marketing manager for Precision Planting and farms with his uncle, Robert Arians, in Whiteside County. They grow corn and soybeans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think being involved on the production side (of agriculture) gives me real world applications and helps me understand trends and practices in farming,â&#x20AC;? Arians said. He manages the national marketing efforts for Precision Planting and works closely with the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dealer network. Arians believes more Young Leaders will follow his path of both on-farm and off-farm employment in the future due to limited opportunities on the production side. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Looking at others involved in the Young Leader program I see more involved in offfarm (employment),â&#x20AC;? Arians said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the stark reality of not having the ability to go back and farm but wanting to stay in the industry.â&#x20AC;? The YL program does a good job raising awareness for Illinois Farm Bureau, and helping young people connect and understand how they can impact the ag industry, Arians added.

Caleb/Kimberly May Christian County â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been an honor having been involved in the Young Leader program for so long,â&#x20AC;? Arians said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of (the benefit of the program) is being involved

Caleb and Kimberly May, Christian County, joined Young Leaders in 2006. Caleb last year won the IFB State Discussion Meet in Chicago and was a national runner-up at the National Young Leaders and Ranchers Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau Federation

The American Farm Bureau Federation has teamed with the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative (GSEI) to provide a business training webinar series for rural entrepreneurs and Farm Bureau members. As part of the Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative, a joint effort between AFBF and GSEI, an orientation webinar begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Dan Durheim, AFBFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of industry affairs, will provide a comprehensive overview of the national Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative. The educational series will address major challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs. Webinars include: â&#x20AC;˘ finding and using business information, 2 p.m. Aug. 26,

â&#x20AC;˘ telling your business story, 2 p.m. Sept. 23, â&#x20AC;˘ finding money to grow, 2 p.m. Oct. 28, and â&#x20AC;˘ finding and keeping talent, 2 p.m. Dec. 2. To register for the webinars, visit {www1.gotomeeting.com/ register/984624936}. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The webinar series has been developed to meet the needs of our members who are already involved in rural entrepreneurship enterprises as well as those preparing to launch a business in their local communities,â&#x20AC;? said Lisa Benson, AFBFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of rural development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This continuing education initiative will connect rural residents with cutting edge innovations, business development training and resources that will yield immediate benefits.â&#x20AC;?

Webinars set for rural entrepreneurs

annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The experience helped him become a better spokesperson for agriculture and provided publicity for the YL program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With all our involvement (in Young Leaders) it helped us to get to know people and see what Farm Bureau is all about,â&#x20AC;? said Kimberly, who along with Caleb also helped reestablish their county YL program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The state committee and (IFB Young Leader staff) have been great. You couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask for better people to work with.â&#x20AC;? Caleb and Kimberly each grew up on crop and livestock farms. Caleb currently works as a personal marketing manager for Cargill Ag Horizon marketing service. Kimberly works as a stay-at-home mother for the coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2year-old daughter, Payton. The two also help out on their familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; farming opera-

tions during the busy seasons. Caleb also has seen interest in farm marketing programs increase as farmers deal with lower crop prices and tighter margins. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(A marketing plan) is

more and more important,â&#x20AC;? Caleb said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now that newcrop corn is down around $4, (farmers) are more open to advice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely different this year compared to the last couple years, when it seemed you couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do anything wrong (due to record crop prices).â&#x20AC;?

May provides recommendations for crop sales based on Cargillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vast network of resources. The winner of the Ag Excellence Award receives $2,500 courtesy of IFB, an iPad courtesy of IAA Credit Union and expense-paid trips to the IFB annual meeting in St. Louis (Dec. 6-9), the 2015 American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in San Diego (Jan. 1114), the 2015 YL State Conference in Bloomington-Normal (Jan. 23-24), the 2015 AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers conference in Nashville (Feb. 13-16) and the 2015 GROWMARK annual meeting. The runner-up receives a $250 Fast Stop gift card courtesy of GROWMARK, and $1,500 courtesy of Farm Credit Illinois, 1st Farm Credit Services and IFB. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Daniel Grant

Learn to Shine with IFBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Young Leader Discussion Meet Friendly Competition That Builds Your Leadership Skills Show your art of discussion for hot agricultural topics - and compete for great prizes, including a chance to represent Illinois in the National Discussion Meet.

District & State Discussion Topics:

Additional State Topics:

The farm bill crop insurance provisions offer a safety net for crop lost due to natural disaster and/or price risk. Should a safety net for livestock producers be developed and what provisions might it include?

How would the conditions of government managed public lands change if they were managed privately? What are the pros and cons of government ownership of land versus private ownership?

+RZ VKRXOG RXU QDWLRQÂˇV SROLFLHV EDODQFH FRQFHUQV DERXW food insecurity against concerns about the safety or environmental impact of modern agricultural technologies? What role should farmers have in discussing and debating these issues in our society and with our lawmakers?

Should farmers and ranchers be held liable for possible food borne illnesses when the food item of concern can be traced back to their farms or ranches? Why or why not? How can young farmers and ranchers work to encourage membership growth and member engagement for the county, state and national Farm Bureau organizations?

Entry Deadline July 23 (to Illinois Farm Bureau) IAA District

Date

Starting Time

Location

1&2 3 4 5&6 7&8 9 11 & 12 13 & 17 14 15 & 16 18

July 31 August 14 August 25 August 18 August 5 August 19 $XJXVW August 26 August 19 August 4 August 19 August 14

7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. S P 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Winnebago-Boone FB, Rockford Wyffels Hybrids Research Center, Geneseo Mendota Civic Center, Mendota Pioneer Seed Facility, Mazon 1st Farm Credit, Morton Adams County FB, Quincy 6DQJDPRQ &RXQW\ )% 6SULQJĂ&#x20AC;HOG Piatt County FB, Monticello Edwards County FB, Albion Montgomery County FB, Hillsboro St. Clair County FB, Belleville Jackson County FB, Murphysboro

For more details - www.ilfb.org/youngleaders

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FarmWeek • Page 6 • Monday, July 28, 2014 Bernie Walsh, Durand, Winnebago County: It was a busy week here on the farm since we missed any rain for about 10 days. The wheat finally dried down to 13 percent moisture, and the majority of it has been harvested this week. The yields have been all over the board from 30 to 95 bushels in the same field. I think that variability is a direct result of the polar vortex from last winter. The stands were thinned out from the harsh winter, and there was a fair amount of disease from all the rain in June. The corn continues to look very good from the moderate weather we have had, and the beans are getting darker green. There are still very few insects in the corn or beans, but we did have fungicide applied to about half of our corn. Soybeans are now ready for fungicide, too. Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: No rain last week. Hay making has gone well with some second crop and some third cutting is being chopped. We combined our oats that were blown flat in earlier storms. We got what we could and then mowed it all off. We will see what kind of mess this can create. Wheat has been combined, but I have no yields yet to report. Planes are applying fungicides on corn, and the crops are looking good. Ryan Frieders, Waterman, DeKalb County: Last week was the first week this summer without a substantial rain event. The crops are continuing to mature with corn pollinating and soybeans flowering. The past week was spent on the South Carolina coast for a family vacation. The weather there was hot and humid. Now it’s time to start getting ready for fall. Larry Hummel, Dixon, Lee County: The airport just north of my house has been busy. It seems like there has been a constant stream of crop dusters in and out all day, every day. Pollination is about half done, and it should be finished in two weeks. We couldn’t ask for better weather. Bugs in the cornfields have been almost nonexistent. Japanese beetle numbers are increasing, but are still very light. They seem to prefer the soybeans. Ken Reinhardt, Seaton, Mercer County: Some welcome rain was moving in Friday morning. It was getting a bit dry where rains were the lightest a couple of weeks ago. Crops were a long way from suffering and are still on track for above average yields. Tuesday had the first 90 degree temperature of the year, the latest first occurrence ever. Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: We only received .1 of an inch of rain last week. What a difference some hot weather and no rain for almost three weeks will do. The crops look OK, but the cracks in the ground are about a foot deep. It did cool off a little bit, so stress levels are low. Still, we need a rain to help this year’s crop achieve its potential. My cattle seem to know it is dry also. They have been in my bean fields for the last two days. Hopefully, we have gotten all the weak spots in the fences fixed. There are some Japanese beetles around, but not enough to spray yet. Fungicide applications are starting on soybeans this week. Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: A summer with rain — we forgot what it was like. Corn is pollinated and looks pretty good with no insect damage. Soybeans are flowering and setting pods. Earlier-planted soybeans are much further along and taller than those planted later. Corn is sprayed with fungicide to keep it healthy from leaf diseases. This will keep the stalk strong for standability while it dries down this fall. We will also apply a fungicide and insecticide on most of the soybeans, which have been seeing a yield advantage. Wheat is harvested and yields are all over the board depending on stand. Straw is getting baled. Now it is time for Mother Nature to finish this crop as we have done all we can. Vacation time for many. We are going to Maine and Boston. Markets are reflecting a big crop throughout the Corn Belt. What will a few good years in a row do to the markets? We hope young farmers starting out don’t think $6 to $7 corn is the norm. Best thing for low prices is low prices. Demand will pick up.

Jacob Streitmatter, Princeville, Peoria County: Dry weather has entered the area, and the crops are showing signs of stress. If the sweetcorn is any indication of yields, the flat sweetcorn has a lot smaller ears. I don’t think this crop around here is any better than other years, but better than 2012 and the flooded years. Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: The only rain we received last week was on Wednesday. We received a range of .15 to .35 of an inch of rain. We finished our fungicide application on corn Thursday, which is one day before we started our fungicide application in 2013. Corn development ranges from the R1 growth stage, or silking, up to the R3 growth stage, or milk stage. Most corn in the local area is in the R2 growth stage. The range in soybean development in the local area is between the R2 growth stage, full bloom, and the R4 growth stage, full pod. Most soybean fields are in the R2 or R3 growth stage. Fungicide applications have been applied in soybean fields over the last couple days. The local closing prices for July 24 were nearby corn, $3.49; new-crop corn, $3.34; nearby soybeans, $12.53; new-crop soybeans, $10.53. Steve Ayers, Champaign, Champaign County: A weather roller coaster last week with a 15 degree temperature swing, and humidity ups and downs. It was a dry week, but a line of storms was headed our way later Friday morning with rain forecast for Saturday. I pulled a couple ears Friday and counted 18 rows by 46 long and 16 by 45, so yield potential is on record pace, weather permitting. Those of us with a little gray hair know that one storm can devastate a crop in the blink of an eye! Our little corner of the world is 78 percent corn silking, 77 percent beans blooming and 20 percent setting pods. See you at the Georgetown Fair August 2-9. Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: If you are at your county fair and you passed by some good looking crops, chances are you can join the crowd and thank yourself for doing your best at planting, fertilizing, spraying and regularly watching for escaped weeds, bugs, etc. There is an occasional field that would only qualify for maybe a 95 out of 100 score, but I think most will be pleasantly surprised when the combines start to roll. Cool pollination temps should also add to the bonus for the year. Planes have been keeping busy. Our gauge recorded zero for the past week. The hay crop also appears good for livestock producers. Have a safe week and enjoy the fair. Brian Schaumburg, Chenoa, McLean County: A cooler, drier week has farmers catching up on repairs and prepping for fall. Aerial applications of fungicides continue in both corn and beans, but at a lesser extent than previous years. Corn is at the blister stage and beans are R1 to R5. It appears early planting paid off in soybeans. Does anything buy a farmer more good will than a dozen ears of sweet corn? See you at the McLean County Fair. Corn, $3.53, new, $3.41; soybeans, $12.59, new, $10.46; wheat, $4.92. Doug Uphoff, Shelbyville, Shelby County: Crops look good, so what can a guy report on other than I’m sorry I missed last week. July 14 was our county fair. I just hope we can keep our county fairs across the state going. We have high quality livestock for a Shelby County-only fair according to our livestock judges. Our local producers should be very proud of the hard work it takes to accomplish that. Corn has pollinated well and still has dark green color. Nitrogen seemed to be plentiful when the crop needed it most. We have very few holes in our fields, but if you go south of here things look pretty tough from heavy rainfall at planting time. Our beans are waist to armpit high. Elliott and I have not found any disease worth using fungicide, especially at these lower prices for commodities. That’s not to say we won’t have a problem with that or insects down the line that will need to be treated. Alfalfa will be ready to cut for the third time in about two weeks. We did have a new fungicide/insecticide put on some test strips of beans on three different varieties.

Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula, Menard County: My father-inlaw, Robert, is reporting for me this week as Kyle and I are on vacation. Spent some time evaluating corn. I found very few blank stalks. Pollination is excellent and ear size is good for our plant density. All I can say is WOW! We do need that finish rain, but the moderate temperatures are helping the corn tolerate a little dryness. Soybeans have appreciated the drier weather. Most fields have approached R3 or R4. Several producers have sprayed fungicides this week. Pod fill will soon require rain. Todd Easton, Charleston, Coles County: The cooler than normal weather continued last week with no measurable rain in the gauge, and fields have kept growing along. Even though it has been noticeably cool, our growing degree days are staying just a bit above average as they approach 1,700 for corn planted around Easter Sunday. There should be no problem accumulating the next 1,000 GDU’s the corn needs in the next month if temps at least stay at this level. Soybeans are looking better with some noticeable height improvement. Hopefully, they’ll get in the mood to set many more pods than I am counting so far. While fields are not super dry, a little more rain to top off the supply to an outstanding crop would be welcomed by producers. Good chances are in the forecast for the beginning of fair week, and a good rain is the usual tradition of the Coles County Fair. So, we will see what we get. Jimmy Ayers, New City, Sangamon County: We received no rain last week, and it is starting to become fairly dry. Some of the crops are showing stress a little bit, but still look pretty good overall. The airplanes have been extremely busy. A lot of fungicide and foliar feeding going on. I haven’t heard a lot about any bug problems. There was a community ag event last Thursday and quite a few farmers participated in that. A lot of activity with the kids and family members that come in the evening. It is always good to get our story out and help people understand. David Schaal, St. Peter, Fayette County: No rain last week and it has been considerably cool. I’m not sure the cool nights are good for the soybean crop. No pests or bug problems to report. The corn crop continues to look good to excellent. Have a good week. Jeff Guilander, Jerseyville, Jersey County: The old adage that big crops get bigger may not hold true this year. The first big stresses of the season are hitting the corn crop with moisture drying up and some gray leaf spot and blight coming on a lot faster than we expected. The current dryness will hit the soybeans in a much larger way, but time will tell. Weed pressure in the beans is starting to show up with very little to be done about it. Went to my first meeting on Dicamba soybeans. It will definitely help, but we were reminded often it is just one piece of the weed control puzzle. Dan

Meinhart,

Montrose, Jasper County: Early Wednesday morning, showers moved through the area. A lot of people did not get any rain with isolated areas receiving up to 2 to 3 inches. Cooler temperatures moved in with the showers. Rain is desperately needed in some areas. Crops look good in general. Farmers are busy applying fungicides to corn and beans by ground and air, spraying herbicides on later-planted beans, baling hay, mowing road ditches and cleaning out grain bins. Showers and warmer weather are in the forecast for the weekend.

Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: SOS. No — not the old staple from the Army mess halls or the signal sent from those in distress. I’m talking “same old story.” By that, I mean rain every other day. With hardly any clouds in the sky in April, May and June to now can’t buy a sprinkle as the markets go into the sewer. We missed a good chance on Tuesday and bushels are being trimmed from a corn crop that three weeks ago looked to be super. As the calendar turns to August next week with no rain, it will start hurting the bean prospects.

Page 7 • Monday, July 28, 2014 • FarmWeek Dave Hankammer, Millstadt, St. Clair County: Last week was a little warmer than the previous week with highs in the mid to upper 80s. One or two days made it to the low 90s, but a cool front pushed the temps back down. It was a dry week with no rain. The crops continue to look good despite the lack of rain, but do show some heat stress during the peak temperatures of the day. Soil conditions are becoming dry in the area. Hopefully, one of the weather predictions will be accurate enough to leave some rain. Some post-herbicide applications were made in double-crop soybeans fields as the plants reached recommended height. Most field activity has been mowing waterways and field edges. Grain bids are corn, $3.75; soybeans, $12.59; wheat, $4.54. Have a good week. Kevin Raber, Browns, Wabash County: Rainfall of around 1 inch fell on my fields last week. Some areas got more, but it was a very welcome rain. The early corn looks good. The cooler days and nights have seemed to slow the beans down. I don’t think we’ll see many tall fields of soybeans this year.

Ken Taake, Ullin, Pulaski County: It was a beautiful week weather-wise here in deep southern Illinois. The lows were down in the 50s a couple of nights. It has really been a refreshing change for July. I finished post spraying herbicide on soybeans last week, at least for the first time. Some of our soybeans are awfully small for this time of year. Some of them were just planted the first of July. After a challenging planting season, schedules are finally starting to slow down a little bit. Corn is looking better, at least from the road. You don’t see how uneven it is and all of the lower drowned out spots. Please be careful this upcoming week.

Dean Shields, Murphysboro, Jackson County: Not much rain on my farm, but Jackson County had a lot of scattered showers. The corn in the hill ground is looking good because of all the rain. Corn and beans look good overall. Some are putting fungicide on beans. Others are doing catch-up jobs around the shop. Several are on vacation, and some are getting ready for fall harvest. I am enjoying the cooler-than-normal weather, and so are the crops. Randy Anderson, Galatia, Saline County: Been a great week. Early in the week, we got some heat with temps in the upper 80’s. A front came through Wednesday and the county received anywhere from a light shower to 2 inches. Still trying to get some more beans sprayed and later corn fungicide put on. The main talk is not getting enough heat units to get the crop to the right stages. We’ll just see how it goes.

Control the controllable: Focus your efforts In today’s production agriculture, there are thousands of variables producers must manage to prevent yield loss. Producers could spend all their time managing variables that can reduce yields. However, this wouldn’t leave much Todd Steinacher time for marketing grain or relationshipbuilding with landlords. That is why it’s important to focus on what we can control or what I will, from here on out, refer to as “controlling the controllable.” This means focusing efforts in the areas that can directly impact your maximum yield. Plant health and nutrient availability are two variables that can be controlled. BY TODD STEINACHER

Reports received Friday morning. Expanded crop and weather information available at FarmWeekNow.com.

L i e b i g ’s l a w o f t h e m i n i mum teaches us that if we ’r e n o t f i x i n g t h e m o s t limiting variable, adding m o r e o f a n o t h e r nu t r i e n t will not improve yield. Adding fungicides and additional nitrog en or a postapplication of micronutrients are not steroids. They a r e n o t g o i n g t o i m p r ove yield. These are potential solutions applied to protect top-end yield. Too many times, producers make additional application of products with unrealistic expectation of yield improvement. If plant health or nitrogen wasn’t a limiting factor, additional inputs will not improve yields. However, if plant available nitrog en is lacking and conditions favor disease pressure or other plant stress, then an application of nitrogen and fungicide treatments could have a

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possible benefit in protecting yield. Fred Below with the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign commonly and accurately states that weather (rainwater) plays a very large role in top-end yield. It also h a s d i r e c t i m p a c t o n h ow everything else interacts. If we don’t have an adequate supply of moisture in the soil, it will make plant macronutrient uptake difficult. However, splitting nitrogen application is a form of controlling the controllable. By splitting nitrogen supply, growers are offsetting their environmental risk. If nitrogen is lost, so is

potential top-end yield. By making sure soil has a balanced pH and adequate supply of phosphorus and potassium during times of water stress, plants can potentially handle stress longer. It also h e l p s by p r e ve n t i n g we e d pressures from competing for moisture and nutrients from high-valued crops. The true quest for top-end yield is about understanding how yield is established, preserved, and ultimately lost on each acre of every field. By understanding these variables, one can then start to control the controllable. Producers should evaluate their fields for how many plants actually produced a quality ear. If this number is less than the planting population, the next step would be to discover how and why this happened. This could be attributed to planter issues,

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doubles and skips, planting depth, insect feeding, weed compaction, and the list goes on and on. Next, evaluate the cor n ea rs fo r numb er o f rows, number of kernels per row and kernel size. Once again, it is important to discover how and why this happened (V-5 issues, weed competition, nutrient deficiency, lack of nitrog en and moisture during grain fill, etc.). In effor ts to improve yields, producers should first understand what is limiting their yield and what can be done to offset environmental impacts. T hen one should develop a systems-based approach for controlling the controllable.

Todd Steinacher ser ves as a GROWMARK field sales agronomist. His email address is tsteinacher@growmark.com.

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The most people, on the ground, in Illinois, covering Illinois agriculture for you. Get to know Chris Anderson

FarmWeek® Editor & FarmWeekNow.com contributor Chris doesn’t know a better group of people she could work with than farmers. She and her colleagues understand agriculture and the daily challenges farmers face. She strives to keep you informed to strengthen your voice and help improve your bottom line. Chris has been an agriculture journalist for 29 years, including a 28-year stint at The Pantagraph in Bloomington.

Irrigation systems pump additional revenue streams into farm FarmWeek • Page 8 • Monday, July 28, 2014

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

A fairly steady supply of rainfall so far this season allows farmers to shut off irrigation systems during the wet stretches. But David Brown, a farmer from Carmi (White County), knows his farm can enter drought status within a matter of weeks at any point during the growing season due to light, sandy soils in his area. Brown, therefore, put in the first irrigation system on his farm in 1980 (the year after he started farming with his father) and currently irrigates about 1,000 acres, about one-third of his cropland. “It gives you an opportunity to guarantee yourself a crop,” Brown told FarmWeek. “And really, as input costs have gone up, it’s even more critical. You’ve got to get a return on your investment.” Brown’s farm last week received between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain, so he turned off his irrigation systems. But he alleviated dry spells at other points this growing season with the pivots, which draw water from an aquifer that lies under parts of White and Gallatin counties. Use of irrigation can boost corn yield averages on light, sandy soils

from 120 to 220 bushels per acre, he noted. “That pays for the pivot,” Brown said of the yield boost achieved with an irrigation pivot. The benefits of irrigation systems were particularly apparent during the drought year of 2012. The statewide corn yield that year averaged just 105 bushels per acre, the lowest since 1988 (73 bushels). “In 2012, we would’ve had 20 bushel yields or less,” Brown said. “But we were raising 200-plus (bushel) irrigated corn.” Brown grows corn, soybeans and wheat. He also produces processing vegetables, such as green beans and sweet corn, along with seed corn when the economics are favorable. “Irrigation allows me to grow specialty crops,” he said. “Most seed corn companies won’t grow anything in this area unless it’s on irrigated acres.” Brown’s specialty crops can produce higher returns some years. But they also require more inputs, particularly water. “What can you raise using irrigation and what can you raise without it?” he noted. “That difference is what pays for an irrigation system.” Brown serves as an active member of the Illinois Irrigation Association and Illinois Specialty Growers Association.

David Brown, a farmer from Carmi (White County), monitors an irrigation rig over a field of soybeans. Brown purchased his first irrigation system in 1980 and currently irrigates about one-third of his crop acres. Irrigation boosts yields and can improve the return on investment for row crop and specialty crop producers, according to Brown. (Photos by Ken Kashian)

Today’s growers look to the cloud for more than just rain. Cloud-based computing is revolutionizing the way growers run their operations. The agronomy experts at FS are helping growers connect with next generation digital platforms that manage workflow, track assets and optimize productivity. What’s more, FS is partnering with leading technology providers to anticipate demands down the road, ensuring our customers are ready for what’s next.

New IFB brochure answers consumers’ GMO questions Illinois Farm Bureau recently launched a new resource to answer consumers’ questions about biotechnology and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). The brochure offers answers to common questions, including safety and uses. Two QR codes allow consumers to link to find additional information and hear interviews. The brochure also provides four resources and their websites. Entitled “On GMOs,” Governmental Affairs and Commodities Division and Promotion and Graphic Arts Department staff developed the brochure. “Farmers have done yeoman’s work communicating about the positive attributes of biotechnology for more than a decade,” said Tamara Nelsen, IFB’s senior director of commodities. “Having this brochure at hand will enable everyone in the Farm Bureau family to have an open dialogue with consumers about biotechnology and GMOs.” This week, copies will be distributed at several Farm Bureau events, including the

County Presidents Conference and the Commodities Conference. Brochures are available both in hard copy and electronically. To view online, visit {www.ilfb.org} and go to the “Resources” section on the upper right side. Click on “Consumer Information” and then “On GMOs.”

Page 9 • Monday, July 28, 2014 • FarmWeek

WESTERN FIELD MOMS’ WINERY TOUR

Consider many factors in terminating cover crops

Q: What factors should I consider for burndown? Pete Fandel, Illinois Central College: No matter which cover crop you choose, you need to do some homework and learn as much about that plant as you can. Each species needs to be controlled at a certain growth stage to maximize the benefits from using that cover crop, but not to interfere with your primary crop. Russ Higgins, University of Illinois Extension Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center: Consider species, size of the plants to be terminated and air temperatures. Make sure you successfully kill the cover crop the first time! For example, annual ryegrass may not have much top growth, but has an extensive root system requiring higher rates of herbicide than may be expected. Cereal rye needs to be terminated prior to jointing for best results. Recent Missouri research suggests chemical herbicide burndown of cover crops is most successful near 60 degrees, and spraying should be avoided if day or nighttime temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s. Dean Oswald, Illinois Council on Best Management Practices: Annual ryegrass is more difficult to kill than winter cereal rye. Match herbicides to cover crop. Stage of cover crop growth

Voter

is extremely important with regard to termination. Vegetative growth is always easier to kill than more mature growth stage. Consider the environmental conditions. Systemic herbicides are very temperature sensitive — above 50 degrees Fahrenheit only. Glyphosate products need four hours for translocation before sundown. So don’t spray after 2 p.m. Mike Plumer, Illinois Council on Best Management Practices: Consider the stage of plant growth; vegetative is the easiest to kill. Consider nitrogen availability; grasses must be killed by/before first joint. With legumes, the nitrogen amount is directly proportional to the amount of top growth, so it needs to be bigger to produce more nitrogen. Consider soil moisture. As they get bigger, cover crops can remove a significant about of soil moisture to the depth of their rooting, which can be several feet. To view previous questions and answers, visit {farmweek now.com/customPage.aspx?p= 544}.

Questions may be emailed to kayship@ilfb.org; add “Discover Cover Crops” in the subject line or mail to Discover Cover Crops, Kay Shipman, 1701 Towanda Ave., Bloomington, Ill. 61701.

continued from page 1 application, the information is correct and authorizing the secretary of state to transmit the applicant’s signature to the State Board of Elections. Applicants who provide an email address will receive a confirmation of receipt and status information about their applications, Thomas noted. Applicants who don’t supply email addresses may check the status of their applications on the State Board of Elections website under “Check Your Online Application Status” in the page’s Spotlight area. An applicant’s signature on file in the secretary of state’s database will be considered the applicant’s voter application signature online if voter application data, such as pertinent numbers, match existing data. If not, applicants who supplied email addresses will receive a notice that their applications aren’t valid, according to Thomas. The online registration system automatically forwards validated applications to local election authorities for processing. Those authorities determine if the individual is already registered or adds him or her to the registration list and issues a voter registration card. The online registration system has worked well, Thomas said. “The secretary of state has been a great partner working with us on this,” he added.

Larry Hanold, owner of Ridge View Winery, shows Vignole grapes in his vineyard near Mount Sterling in Brown County to Western Illinois Farm Family Field Moms, left to right, Sheila Biggs, Lauren Santora and Jen Reekie, all of Quincy. Seven Quincy-area field moms joined the second summer tour to learn about area grape and wine production. During lunch, National Corn-to-Ethanol Research staff discussed ethanol economics research and production. Western Illinois Farm Families is supported by the Adams, Brown, Hancock, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler and Scott County Farm Bureaus with support from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Western Illinois Pork Producers, Ursa Farmers Cooperative, Niemann Foods Inc. and Cargill Meat Solutions. (Photo by Sara Fernandez, project coordinator)

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FarmWeek • Page 10 • Monday, July 28, 2014

MEMORIAL DRIVE BOOSTS SCHOLARSHIPS

Farm Service Agency

Disaster assistance for 2012 frost-freeze fruit losses — Farmers who experienced losses of bush or tree fruit crops due to frost or freeze during the 2012 crop year may be eligible for assistance through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). Authorized by the 2014 farm bill, the program provides supplemental NAP payments to eligible farmers. Farmers who did not have access to crop insurance and are in primary and adjacent counties that received a USDA secretarial disaster designation because of frost or freeze in 2012 are eligible for NAP assistance. Losses due to weather damage or other adverse natural occurrences may also qualify. NAP enrollment began last week. Applications must be submitted to FSA county offices by Sept. 22. To expedite applications, farmers who experienced losses are encouraged to collect records documenting those losses to prepare for sign-up. Farmers are encouraged to contact their FSA county office and schedule an appointment. Limited resource, socially disadvantaged and beginning producers are eligible for premium reductions and also may be eligible for fee reductions. Interested farmers may view the 2012 NAP Coverage for Frost, Freeze or Weather Related Fruit Losses Fact Sheet at {go.usa.gov/5kSQ}, or visit a local FSA office. To learn if land is located in an eligible county, visit {go.usa.gov/53rz}. Farm bill conservation compliance changes —

Under new farm bill requirements, farmers who want to be eligible for federal crop insurance premium support must have a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026) on file. Since many FSA and Natural Resource Conservation (NRCS) programs require the form, most producers should already have it on file. Producers have until June 1, 2015, to file AD-1026. After a farmer completes AD-1026, FSA and NRCS staff will outline any additional actions that may be required for compliance with the provisions. The 2014 farm bill requires farmers to adhere to conservation compliance guidelines in order to be eligible for most programs administered by FSA and NRCS. This includes new price and revenue protection programs, the Conservation Reserve Program, the Livestock Disaster Assistance programs and Marketing Assistance Loans implemented by FSA. It also includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and other conservation programs. FSA recently released a revised form AD-1026, which is available at USDA Service Centers and online at {fsa.usda.gov}. USDA will publish a rule later this year that will provide details outlining the connection of conservation compliance with crop insurance premium support. Producers can also contact their local USDA Service Center for information.

Rural Development awards funds to two Illinois cooperatives

USDA awarded $22.5 million to recipients in nine states, including two Illinois electric cooperatives, to promote rural economic development. Western Illinois Electric Cooperative, based in Carthage, received $1 million to build a grain mill and pelletizing plant for Dearwester Properties LLC. The project will consist of a 10-acre site that will house a feed mill operated by Nutrition Services LLC. Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative, based in Auburn, received two awards. The co-op received $200,902 to renovate the Pike County Health Department and build a 3,700-square-foot addition. It also received $833,600 to help the Harpole’s Heartland Lodge build three cabins to expand its resort and hunting outfitting business. The funding comes from USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program, a revolving loan program. USDA provides zero-interest loans and grants to utilities, which lend money to local businesses to create and retain jobs in rural areas. Eligible applicants are USDA Rural Utilities Service borrowers.

Macon County Farm Bureau recently hosted its first Emmett Sefton Memorial Drive. Thirty-seven tractors, a motorcycle and pickup truck participated in the 27-mile route, taking participants past Sefton’s farmstead where his wife, Joanne, waved to everyone. Participants received a souvenir picture of themselves on their tractor as well as donated giveaway items from various businesses. Farm Bureau staff and foundation scholarship recipients served lunch. Larry Allison grilled pork chop sandwiches with sides provided by Basket Case Catering; board members’ spouses donated cookies. All monies raised from the event will go to the Emmett Sefton Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Macon County Farm Bureau Foundation. (Photo by Shelly Crawford-Stock, wife of Macon County Farm Bureau Manager Tim Stock)

Page 11 â&#x20AC;˘ Monday, July 28, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ FarmWeek

County Farm Bureaus receive AFBF agriculture literacy grants

and a craft or snack. Monroe County Farm Bureau received a grant for its agriculture book of the month club. Third grade classrooms in Columbia will receive books each month. AFBF selected winners based on effectiveness of demonstrating a strong connection between agriculture and education; how effectively the programs encouraged students to learn more about agriculture and the food and fiber industry; and procedures and timelines expected for accomplishing project goals.

Trees Forever offers two free Pollinator Habitat Conservation workshops starting this month. Workshop dates, times and locations include: Aug. 2, 1 to 4 p.m., The Nature Institute in Godfrey; and Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ruth Edwards Nature Center, Dixon. Topics will include prairie restoration, site and plant species selection, maintenance, urban

spaces and plant identification. The workshops are free, but space is limited and early registration is recommended. Register online at {treesfor ever.org/PollinatorWorkshop} or by calling Becky Smith at 1800-369-1269, extension 112. For more information, contact Trees Foreverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Debbie Fluegel at 309-613-0095 or dfluegel@ treesforever.org.

USDA Rural Development announced availability of more than $33 million in grants and loans for housing for farmworkers and their families. This program helps farm laborers, especially seasonal and migrant workers, access safe, affordable housing for their families, said Colleen Callahan, Rural Development Illinois director. Through the Farm Labor Housing program, Rural Development provides loans and grants to farmers, farmer associations, family farm corporations, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and farmworker associations to develop or improve multifamily housing for farmworkers and their families. Money also may be used to build, repair or improve adjoin-

ing facilities such as playgrounds, child care facilities, computer rooms and community centers. In fiscal year 2013, Illinois Rural Development awarded $1.4 million in loans to Deenslake Affordable Housing Assistance to build 12 homes in a multifamily, three-phase development project in Kankakee County. Groundbreaking occurred on July 11. Barry Ramsey, Illinois Housing Program Director, said the new facility supports agriculture and local farmers, provides additional housing and generates tax revenue for the community. Applications for Illinois Farm Labor Housing assistance are due to the state Rural Development office Sept. 2. For more information visit {www.rurdev.usda.gov/il}.

Free pollinator habitat workshops set

Farm labor housing funds available

Tuesday: â&#x20AC;˘ FarmWeek: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Early Wordâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Freese-Notis Weather â&#x20AC;˘ Colleen Callahan, USDA Rural Development: CoBank Rural Investment Fund â&#x20AC;˘ Michael Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Gorman, Farmer Veteran Coalition Wednesday: â&#x20AC;˘ Cynthia Haskins, Illinois Farm Bureau: Homegrown by Heroes program â&#x20AC;˘ Jeff Squibb, Illinois Department of Agriculture â&#x20AC;˘ Rita Frazer, Courtney Gerstenecker and Liz Koehler live from the Illi-

Eight Allis Chalmers antique tractors and combines make quick work of Jim Niemannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wheat field near Litchfield. The antique collector owns 52 pieces of Allis Chalmers equipment. The harvest commemorates the 80th anniversary of Allis Chalmers All-Crop Harvesters. (Photo by Jim Niemann)

Farm Bureau member celebrates Allis Chalmers 80th anniversary With the 80th anniversary of Allis Chalmers All-Crop Harvesters set for August, Litchfield farmer Jim Niemann recently decided to celebrate his own way. Every summer, Niemann and his family host a gospel concert on their farm and display his 52-piece antique Allis Chalmers collection. More than 300 people attended the recent concert. Following the concert, visi-

BIKE RIDE Sept. 1, 2, 3

auction and purchased a 1937 WC tractor and a two-bottom plow. Niemann plans to continue what he calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;the harvest brigadeâ&#x20AC;? celebration by attending the Allis Chalmers All-Crop Harvester 80th anniversary Aug. 14-17 in LaPorte, Ind. The avid collector also invites visitors to stop by his farm. To make an appointment, call Niemann at 217-324-5574.

Raise funds for IAITC & YOU determine how much it costs to ride! By collecting money from family, friends and co-workers you are helping the cause and cutting your costs

Cycle to Support

Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom

~ RAISE $1,000 -- FREE Full Ride

The 19th annual Bike Ride will spin through Stephenson, Carroll, JoDaviess, Ogle and Winnebago counties this September.

~ RAISE $500 -- 50% Discount

great state.

~ RAISE $250 -- 25% Discount

The Bike Ride is an Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) fundraiser. Riders make brief stops at schools along the routes to raise awareness and convey the important message of agriculture to Illinois students.

IAITC Bike Ride

Grant & Book Pack to school/library of choice

Highlights & Basics ~ 3Ph >A ! 3Ph aXST ^_cX^]b ~ 2a^bb R^d]cah aXST =^c P aPRT

Four Routes Available

~ B06 bd__^ac PePX[PQ[T) ?WhbXRP[ \TRWP]XRP[ breakdown, first aid, supplies, snacks, beverages

All routes begin & end in Freeport, IL

~ 5d] TeT]X]V PRcXeXcXTb

Tuesday, September 2

~ 2^\U^acPQ[T W^cT[ PRR^\\^SPcX^]b P]S complimentary breakfast

Short route approx. 40 miles Long route approx. 80 miles

nois Farm Bureau Commodity Conference â&#x20AC;˘ Doug Yoder, IFB: farm bill â&#x20AC;˘ Nic Anderson, Illinois Livestock Development Group Thursday: â&#x20AC;˘ Diane Handley, IFB: Illinois State Fair produce sale â&#x20AC;˘ Jim Spradlin, GROWMARK CEO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; elect: vision for GROWMARK â&#x20AC;˘ Phil Kreig, Syngenta: fungicide application â&#x20AC;˘ Tom Tracy, Farm Credit Illinois: vision for Farm Credit Friday: â&#x20AC;˘ Sara Wyant: Agri-Pulse â&#x20AC;˘ Mike Doherty, IFB: eco-

nomic update

tors headed to a nearby wheat field. Eight harvesters hitched to antique tractors took swaths ranging from 40 inches to 9 feet. Equipment ranged in age from 1938 to 1960. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of you are familiar with tractor manufacturer AllisChalmers, known for its brightorange farm tractors. Their history actually dates back to 1847,â&#x20AC;? said Niemann, who began collecting in 1994. He and his dad attended a farm

2014

Two Illinois county Farm Bureaus earned agriculture literacy grants from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. The Illinois recipients were among 11 state and county Farm Bureaus nationwide. Each $500 grant will be used to create new ag literacy programs or to expand existing ones. Cook County Farm Bureau received a grant for its summer library program that introduces urban children to livestock through literature, learning activities

~ ?PacXRX_PcX^] Xb TgXQ[T STbXaTS aXSX]V average speed is 12-15 mph

Wednesday, September 3

~ 0;; aTVXbcTaTS aXSTab fX[[ aTRTXeT P â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rider Packetâ&#x20AC;? with specific ride information including a fundraising toolkit

Short route approx. 40 miles Long route approx. 80 miles

Registration Fees 19th 19th AAnnual nnual

Full Ride w/Single Room* .............................$300 ............................. Full Ride w/Shared Room**.......................... Room** .......................... $225 1-Day Rider*** ................................................$65 ................................................ Student Rate Full Ride w/Single Room*........ Room* $275 Student Rate Full Ride w/Shared Room**.....$200 Room** Student Rate 1-Day Rider***........................... Rider*** ...........................$55

HELMETS REQUIRED NO EXCEPTIONS!

X]R[dSTb B06 0bbXbcP]RT c bWXac ! [d]RWTb ! SX]]Tab and 2 nights hotel accommodations X]R[dSTb B06 0bbXbcP]RT c bWXac ! [d]RWTb ! SX]]Tab and 1 night hotel accommodations X]R[dSTb B06 0bbXbcP]RT c bWXac [d]RW P]S bT[TRc .... one included evening meal

Contact the IAA Foundation at (309)557-2230 or find more information and registration at www.iaafoundation.org 238g4

FarmWeek • Page 12 • Monday, July 28, 2014

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DAMS — Foundation raffle tickets are available at the Farm Bureau office for $5. Prizes will include Cardinals game tickets, meat bundle, mini-iPad, grocery gift card and a Henry Gold Boy .22 long rifle. Proceeds will benefit Agriculture in the Classroom and scholarships. • Farm Bureau will host a farmer appreciation picnic 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at Upper Moorman Park in Quincy. Call the Farm Bureau office by Thursday for reservations. HAMPAIGN — Farm Bureau will host legislative issues toolshed meetings at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 6 at the Jacob Kesler farm, Dewey, and noon at the Tony Noel Center at Parkland Community College. Lunch will be served at the noon meeting. Mark Gebhards, Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs and Commodities Division executive director, will speak. Call the Farm Bureau office at 352-5235 for more information. OOK — Farm Bureau will offer discounted Medieval Times dinner and tournament tickets. Visit {cookcfb.org} and click on “Membership Benefits” for a direct link to purchase tickets. DWARDS — Farm Bureau will sponsor a membership appreciation meal 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Edwards County Senior Citizens Center. The event is open to members and their families. Free tickets are required and may be picked up at the Farm Bureau office or Farm Bureau booth at the Edwards County Fair. ORD-IROQUOIS — Farm Bureau will sponsor a policy development luncheon for members at noon Thursday at Monical’s Pizza in Watseka. There is no cost. No reservations are required. • Farm Bureau will sponsor a farm bill informational meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Farm Bureau building in Gilman. Jonathan Coppess, University of Illinois assistant law and policy professor, will speak. Reservations are not required for the free member event. RUNDY — Farm Bureau will celebrate 100 years with an anniversary event Aug. 23 at Terry and Carol Seggebruch’s Farm, Morris. Games and tractor viewing will begin at 3 p.m. and dinner will follow from 4 to 6 p.m. Greg

E F

Page 13 • Monday, July 28, 2014 • FarmWeek

Claassen, ventriloquist, will perform after dinner. Call the Farm Bureau office at 942-6400 for reservations by Aug. 13. • Farm Bureau will cosponsor a farm bill update at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Dwight Village Hall. Doug Yoder, Illinois Farm Bureau senior director of affiliate and risk management, will speak. Reservations are not required for the free event. Call the Farm Bureau office at 8421103 for more information. ANKAKEE — The Kankakee County Fair will run Wednesday through Aug. 3. Visit the Farm Bureau booth in the Hall of Industry for agriculture trivia and visit with Farm Bureau leaders. The ag breakfast will be at 7 a.m. Thursday. Cost is $10. The 4H livestock auction will be at 1 p.m. Saturday. Young Leaders will host the 4-H Ag Olympics in the cattle show arena at 3 p.m. Sunday. ASALLE — Farm Bureau will sponsor a dinner at 5 p.m., auction at 7 p.m. and barn dance from 8 p.m. to midnight Aug. 30 at Landers Barn, Grand Ridge, for adults 21 and older. Cost is $25. Call the Farm Bureau office at 433-0371 for reservations. Proceeds will benefit fairground improvements. AWRENCE — Farm Bureau will co-sponsor a charter bus trip to a Cardinals/Brewers game at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Mo., leaving at 8:30 a.m. from Lawrenceville and 9 a.m. from Olney Aug. 3. Cost is $60 for members and $70 for nonmembers. Call the Farm Bureau office at 9432610 for reservations by Thursday. EE — The Young Leader Committee will sponsor a Harvest for All food drive through Aug. 8. Nonperishable food items or cash donations may be dropped off at the Farm Bureau office. Donations will be distributed to Lee County food pantries. Call the Farm Bureau office at 857-3531 for more information. • The Public Relations Committee will host a farm visit 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at a local beef and grain farm. Buses will load at Woodhaven Association in Sublette. Tickets are available at the Woodhaven Association main office or by calling 849-5209, ext. 216. Reservation deadline is Aug. 8. For more information, call the Farm Bureau office at 8573531.

L L L

ACOUPIN — Farm Bureau will host a free, on-the-road seminar at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Farm Bureau building. Kevin Rund, IFB senior director of local government, will focus on truck rules, USDOT numbers and off-highway vehicle stamps. Reservations are required by Friday. Call the Farm Bureau office at 845-2571. • Farm Bureau will sponsor a farm bill update at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Farm Bureau building in Carlinville. Doug Yoder, IFB director of affiliate and risk management, will speak along with county National Resource Conservation Service staff. Reservations are required by calling the Farm Bureau office at 854-2571 by Aug. 4. ADISON — Farm Bureau will host an ice cream social at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Firemen and Legion Park, Alhambra. A bouncy house and corn bingo will be available. Those attending the free event are

encouraged to bring a lawn chair. ONROE — Farm Bureau will host a meet the candidates and ice cream social for members at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Reservations are not required for the free member event. EORIA — Farm Bureau will sponsor a Commercial Driver’s License training course at 9 a.m. Aug. 6 at the Farm Bureau Auditorium. Joe Varda, Mid-Illini Educational Consultants, will provide training. Cost is $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers. Call the Farm Bureau at 686-7070 for reservations by Friday. • Farm Bureau will sponsor a bus trip to the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, Aug. 26-27. The group will tour the Cargill pork processing plant in Ottumwa, Vermeer Manufacturing and Museum in Pella, historic downtown Pella and the Farm Progress Show. Cost is $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers. Call the Farm Bureau office at 686-7070 for reser-

vations by Thursday. ICHLAND — Farm Bureau will co-sponsor a charter bus trip to a Cardinals/Brewers game at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Mo., leaving at 8:30 from Lawrenceville and 9 a.m. from Olney Sunday. Cost is $60 for members and $70 for nonmembers. Call the Farm Bureau office at 393-4116 for reservations by Thursday. ERMILION — Farm Bureau will take southern Illinois peach orders through Aug. 4. Twenty-five pound boxes will cost members $24. Order forms are available at {vcfb.info}. Members will be notified of the delivery date. ILLIAMSON — Farm Bureau will co-sponsor a cover crop workshop at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at Southern FS in East Marion. Call the Farm Bureau office at 993-2609 for reservations by Aug. 5.

“From the counties” items are submitted by county Farm Bureau managers. If you have an event or activity that is open to all members, contact your county Farm Bureau manager.

FarmWeek • Page 14 • Monday, July 28, 2014

Ban on crude oil exports may be lifted for condensates In 1973, Arab states enacted an oil embargo that stopped oil shipments to the United States and some Western European countries. The embargo was a result of American support of Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Gasoline prices skyrocketed and by the time they stabilized, they had increased by about 45 percent. The entire country was affected, and businesses either passed on their increased costs to their customers or went out of business. The United States and other nations began developing large-scale conservation efforts to reduce their dependence on foreign oil as well as a plan to increase domestic production. Bottom line: Regulations were put in place to keep U.S. companies from exporting domestic crude oil. The news wires lately have talked about condensates. Recovered mainly from gas reservoirs, condensates are very similar to light stabilized crude oil and

BY CHARLIE LABELLE

are used as feedstock for oil refining and other petrochemical industries. Most of the refining capacity in the United States is configured to run the heavier parts of the crude stream. Today, domestic production of condensate and light sweet crude are expanding well beyond U.S. refinery needs. Therefore, we have a new desire to export this lighter product. The approvals represent a softening of a total ban on U.S. oil exports that has been in place since the Arab oil embargo, and they open up the United States to global oil consumers for the first time in a generation. Some trading sources expect the Charlie LaBelle U.S. processed condensate export to be limited to around 20,000 to 30,000 barrels per day or about 600,000 barrels per month for the near term. For exports, a player would need to buy, segre-

gate, store and ship condensate via pipeline to marine terminals on the Gulf Coast. Enterprise Products Inc. is expected to be the main condensate exporter in the U.S. in the near term as it is the only company that has received an approval from the Commerce Department for processed condensate exports and has the logistics infrastructure in place for export. But the export issue is still sensitive in Washington as some want to keep the ban and ensure energy costs stay low in America. Advanced drilling technology to extract fossil fuels from shale rocks will boost U.S. oil production by another 1 million barrels per day this year, according to forecasts from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Therefore, this issue will remain in the news in the future.

Nafziger: All signs continue to point to big corn crop BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Get ready for long lines at many country elevators this fall. The majority of corn in Illinois pollinated in nearly ideal conditions in recent weeks and subsequently maintained or even boosted the potential for binbuster, or in some cases, record yields. “The walls of dark green corn as the crop begins its Emerson Nafziger push to fill grain and make yield is always an inspiring sight,” Emerson

Nafziger, University of Illinois crop systems specialist, noted in the U of I’s Pest Management Bulletin. “And the 2014 crop is the best I’ve seen at this stage of development.” The majority of the corn crop (81 percent) and soybeans (78 percent) last week rated good to excellent in Illinois. The crops also are maturing ahead of the average pace. Corn silking was 82 percent complete as of the first of last week — 12 percent ahead of the average pace, while 69 percent of soybeans were blooming — 14 percent ahead of the average pace. “Despite a lot of rainfall in May and June, the deep green color of the corn crop in most fields tells us the crop is well-

M A R K E T FA C T S Feeder pig prices reported to USDA* Total Composite Weighted Average Receipts and Price (Formula and Cash): Weight Range Per Head Weighted Ave. Price 10-12 lbs. (formula) $37.50-$82.37 $51.98 40 lbs. (cash) $113.00-$125.00 $117.97 Receipts

This Week 101,546 *Eastern Corn Belt prices picked up at seller’s farm

Last Week 81,889

Eastern Corn Belt direct hogs (plant delivered) Carcass Live

(Prices $ per hundredweight) This week Prev. week Change $122.29 $129.39 - $7.10 $90.49 $95.75 -$5.25

USDA five-state area slaughter cattle price (Thursday’s price)

Steers Heifers

This week $163.06 $163.16

Prev. week $157.00 NA

Change $6.06 NA

CME feeder cattle index — 600-800 Lbs. This is a composite price of feeder cattle transactions in 27 states. (Prices $ per hundredweight) Prev. week Change This week $214.13 $214.48 -$0.35

Lamb prices Negotiated, wooled and shorn, 85-162 lbs. for 137-162 $/cwt. (wtd. ave. 149.79), 171-211 lbs. for 136-150 $/cwt. (wtd. ave. 142.72)

Export inspections (Million bushels) Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 7/17/2014 3.6 18.9 37.0 7/10/2014 4.3 14.2 37.3 Last year 3.9 24.2 10.4 Season total 1576.7 118.9 1614.5 Previous season total 1296.9 162.0 616.6 USDA projected total 1600 925 1900 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.

Charlie LaBelle serves as a GROWMARK senior energy analyst. His email address is clabelle@growmark.com.

provided with nitrogen,” said Nafziger, who noted the corn crop already took up about 80 to 85 percent of nitrogen it needs for the season. “Stands are mostly good and ear numbers should be as well.” The main threat to the massive production potential of corn at this point would be a late-season weather disaster. But the weather forecast as of late last week called for a continuation of pleasant temperatures in the 70s and 80s this week with scattered chances of rain. Meanwhile, insect pressure presents just a moderate threat. “From a field crop entomology perspective, this summer remains exceptionally quiet across most areas of Illinois,” Mike Gray, U of I Crop Sciences Extension coordinator and entomologist, noted in the

U of I Bulletin. “Japanese beetle and soybean aphid densities have remained very low, seemingly near absent in many fields. “With 82 percent of the corn silking process completed by July 20 and soil moisture plenMike Gray tiful in most areas, the threat of insects negatively affecting the pollination process has largely diminished,” he said. If farmers harvest a record corn crop, the key to prices will be the response of end users, according to Darrel Good, U of I ag economist. “The low price of corn relative to livestock prices, relative to

other feed ingredients and relative to ethanol prices points to the potential for a surprisingly large consumption response,” Good said. “In that case, the seasonal pattern of corn prices during the 2014-15 marketing year would be Darrel Good expected to follow a more typical large crop pattern, lowest near harvest and then increasing as the marketing year progresses.” USDA’s first survey-based forecast of the size of the U.S. corn crop that will be released next month will go a long way to determine the level and pattern of corn prices during the year ahead, Good added.

It appears the run of tight cattle supplies and high beef prices could extend through the rest of this year and into 2015. USDA, in its July cattle on feed report Friday, estimated placements in feedlots during June totaled just 1.46 million head, down 6 percent from a year ago.

Cattle on feed in the U.S. as of July 1 totaled 10.127 million head, down 2 percent from a year ago. Meanwhile, marketings of fed cattle in June totaled just 1.85 million head, down 2 percent from last year. In fact, the fed cattle marketings estimate dipped to the lowest level for the month of June since USDA started the statistics series in 1996. USDA last week also released an inventory report of all cattle nationwide. USDA estimated all cattle and calves in the U.S. as of July 1 totaled 95 million head, down 3 percent from July 2012 (the July 2013 report was canceled due to the government sequestration). Last week’s cattle estimate was the lowest inventory number for July 1 since USDA began the statistical series in 1973. “We’re seeing much tighter supplies than we expected for the summer time frame,” Nelson said. “We can’t see any major changes coming just yet.” Producers could expand the herd down the road. Total heifer slaughter the first half of the year totaled 4.201 million head, down 7 percent from last year,

authors of the CME Group Daily Livestock Report noted. But it will take time to rebuild cattle supplies and moderate record meat prices. USDA, in its food price outlook report Friday, reported consumer prices in the last year increased 10.4 percent for beef and 12 percent for pork. “A lot of people are wondering if U.S. consumers ever will back off buying this very highpriced beef,” Nelson added. — Daniel Grant

Cattle placements decline for fourth straight month

FarmWeekNow.com

Go to FarmWeekNow.com for more details on USDA’s Cattle on Feed report.

It marked the fourth month in a row cattle placements declined, according to Rich Nelson, chief strategist for Allendale, Inc. “This (placements estimate) gives the trade bullish expectations on tight late fall and winter cattle slaughter,” said Nelson, who noted June placements in feedlots supply cattle slaughter from November to February. “This comes on top of an extraordinary run in cash cattle the past few weeks.” Live cattle prices last week in the Plains jumped $9 per hundredweight due in part to strong demand and tight supplies.

CASH STRATEGIST

Soybean meal sales off to great start

The industry mostly focuses on the demand for the primary grains, but occasionally there is an exceptional/unusual situation that develops in the grain products. A couple of times in recent years, the industry has noted ethanol exports. At the moment, we may be seeing a situation unfold in soybean meal that may be worth watching. Exceptionally good soybean meal exports have occurred during three of the last five years. The first one, the 200910 market year, came on the heels of smaller crops in South America, Argentina in particular. As Argentina is primarily a product versus whole soybean exporter, it pushed buyers to source more of their soybean meal needs from the U.S. Shipments that year were 65 percent larger than the prior year by the beginning of April. But consistently larger soybean meal exports have occurred the last two years compared to prior years — other than those with a South American crop problem. And the pace of our new-crop sales is off to such an exceptional start that it looks like we are

going to have a third consecutive year of good soybean meal exports. The changing situation suggests China’s increasing dominance in the world trade for whole soybeans is pushing other buyers to increasingly source more of their protein needs by buying the protein itself rather than the whole soybean. In the coming year, China is expected to account for 66 percent of the total world soybean imports. Ten years ago, they only accounted for 40 percent, and in 2000, only 25 percent. Looking at sales and shipments for the current marketing year, one thing jumps out — we are doing the bulk of the business with southeast Asian and South American countries. Notable buyers include the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico. Canada continues to be a big customer, but always has been. The upside of this should cause demand from processors to continue to compete with exporters. If pork and poultry expansion would begin, it could make the crush pace the focal point for soybean demand this coming year. Still, it’s important to remember that soybean and soybean meal prices are high relative to corn and wheat.

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Corn Strategy

ü2013 crop: Even though prices remain under pressure, signs are emerging suggesting there may not be a lot of downside risk. Notably, the low prices that have come in the wake of the June 30 and July 11 USDA reports are stimulating demand. Wait for a December rebound to $3.90 to $4 to make sales. Get basis locked up on hedge-to-arrive contracts and other unpriced inventory. ü2014 crop: Current yield talk makes one wonder if production expectations aren’t peaking. The decline has removed most, if not all, risk premium. Wait for December futures to rally to $3.90 to make sales. vFundamentals: The crop is big; we know that. The trade is simply arguing about “how big.” Amid this, we are seeing demand for corn improve. Every few days, USDA reports a corn export sale on its daily reporting system. And last week, USDA reported export sales for the week were more than 1.4 million metric tons (mmt).

Page 15 • Monday, July 28, 2014 • FarmWeek Cents per bu.

Soybean Strategy

ü2013 crop: Even though rallies stall as quickly as they start, it still looks like prices are putting in a temporary bottom. Use an August futures rally to $12.40 to make sales. ü2014 crop: New-crop prices could eventually go lower, but the current break still shows signs of exhaustion. Wait for November futures to rally to $11.30 to $11.40 to make catch-up sales. ü2015 crop: The first 15 percent of the 2015 crop was priced at $12.07 basis November 2015 futures. vFundamentals: Like corn, it may be important for the trade to refocus on demand. The 2.4 mmt of soybean export sales reported last week were the largest since January 2012. And that week had exceptional sales only because a Chinese buying mission was in the country. At the same time, the persistent surge in new-crop soybean meal sales ensures crush is going to get off to an aggressive start this year. Still, supply expectations will

limit short-term rally potential.

Wheat Strategy

ü2014 crop: Weaker corn prices, the winter wheat harvest glut, and near-record prospects for the spring crop continue to weigh on futures. Hold on to quality wheat, but take advantage of shallow rallies out of the oversold condition to make sales. ü2015 crop: Better marketing opportunities are likely for the 2015 crop. vFundamentals: Flooding in Canada’s major growing regions has made it likely that more than 5 million acres will

be abandoned in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. That could cause their wheat production to fall by 25 percent this year. Issues are developing in France with the over-abundant moisture tightening supplies of milling quality wheat. The country was notably absent on the offer sheet for Egypt’s latest tender. Prices are still suffering from excess global feed wheat stocks that are being priced out of the market by lower corn prices. It will likely require a rebound in corn prices or a shortage of quality milling wheat to support the market going forward.

FarmWeek • Page 16 • Monday, July 28, 2014

Winds of government brew clean water storm

Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader participants on the 2014 Ag Industry Tour to North Carolina call President Barack Obama, asking him to Ditch the Rule redefining “waters of the U.S.” The Young Leaders contacted the president from their tour coach while touring. (Photo by Melissa Rhode and Chelsi Riordan, IFB membership services and public relations)

Lend your voice to Ditch the Rule Another challenging spring is now behind us, and it is time to reflect on the challenges it provided us. Throughout the state, we all faced different hardships with being able to get our crop in the ground. Anything from floodCHRIS ing to hail and everything in OTTEN between. Although we have all faced different issues, there is one that could potentially affect us all. The “waters of the U.S.” is currently being pushed by the Environmental

Protection Agency so it can control all waters of this country. This could be very detrimental to our industry due to setbacks that would make it almost impossible to apply herbicides correctly and allow us to maximize the amount of food we can produce. I ask not only young farmers but all advocates for ag to let their voices be heard. The comment period for this issue is open until Oct. 20 to make our voices be heard and Ditch the Rule.

Chris Otten serves as Illinois Farm Bureau District 16 Young Leader representative.

U.S. economy finding positive momentum What an ideal first half of 2014! What does ideal mean? It means positive stock and bond market returns with very low price volatility. That is an environment most risk-averse investors would deem desirable. What is even more ideal? The positive returns and low volatility came during a first quarter, which saw the U.S. economy contract almost 3 percent from the end of 2013. Even if TROY the National FRERICHS Bureau of Economic Research won’t officially label it a “recession,” the U.S. at least had the feelings of a mini-recession during the first quarter of 2014. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) index had a total return of 7.1 percent over the first half of the year. While there have been two instances so far in 2014 of 4 to 5 percent declines, price volatility remained historically low. The broad U.S. stock market, as measured by the S&P 500, is on pace for an “average” result — historically about 10 percent — with full-year returns in the high single digits or low double digits if current trends hold.

Bond yields increased dramatically during 2013 primarily due to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s “tapering” of its long-term asset purchase program known as Quantitative Easing. With expectations for the Fed to end this program completely during 2014 and foreseeing stronger U.S. economic growth, we thought pressure would be on interest rates to continue moving higher. But rates have reversed course and fallen so far this year. The yield on the 10-year U.S. treasury note has fallen from 3 percent on Dec. 31 to just 2.5 percent as of the end of the second quarter. Heading into 2014, the U.S. economy seemed to be gaining momentum with both private sector and government spending showing signs of improvement. Economic growth in the neighborhood of 2.5 percent to 3 percent finally seemed within reach after averaging just 2.2 percent since the recovery commenced in 2009. While many of these positive improvements are still in place, economic growth in the first half was disrupted when the worst winter in 20 years hit the U.S. hard. Real Gross Domestic product (GDP) declined 2.9 percent in the first quarter. Because of the weak first quarter, recent estimates are now projecting the econo-

my to grow slightly less than 2 percent in 2014, a far cry from the 2.5 percent to 3 percent expectation to start the year. We still think this lackluster start to the year will prove to be a temporary stall, and most of the lost economic activity will be recovered in the quarters to come. Recent economic reports have come in better than expected, and consensus estimates call for second quarter GDP growth of 3.5 percent. Several positives point to the U.S. private sector’s continued momentum. First, the U.S. labor market is gaining strength. With average monthly payroll gains of 231,000 over the first six months of the year, the unemployment rate now stands at 6.1 percent. The economy has recovered all 8.7 million jobs lost during the recession. Second, business spending should accelerate over the second half of the year as well. Corporate balance sheets are flush with cash. Chief executive officer and small business optimism is rising, and there has been an increase in mergers and acquisition activity. All of this bodes well for domestic economic activity.

Troy Frerichs serves as director of wealth management for COUNTRY Trust Bank.

The ship of government rarely sits becalmed, not moving. There is a storm brewing, and it has to do with water. In America, we are blessed with awesome fresh water in most places. In the Midwest, the Great Lakes and the Mighty Mississippi grace us in major ways. The streams and rivers that feed them indeed need to be clean and clear, and we need to be aware of water in the soil as well. LIN Enter governWARFEL ment with good intentions? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ah, the power of a word! Navigable. For some time, EPA has had legislative authority to monitor and regulate all navigable waters of the United States. As a result, there are laws and penalties associated with anything that goes into those waters. Two categories define pollution sources: point and nonpoint. Point sources are basically pipes that empty into a stream, river or lake. Nonpoint sources are things like water running off a field or out of a yard in a heavy rain. We remember in 1962 seeing pictures on the news of the Cuyahoga River at Cleveland, Ohio, literally on fire as a result of chemicals piped into it. The EPA was born. We’ve come a long way since then in improving the quality of our waters. Yet, the “winds” of

EPA are still blowing. Removing the word “navigable” and expanding oversight into “all waters of the U.S.” is one of those times where the gentle winds are warning us to wake up! If water stands on your property — no matter how briefly — that water and the earth under it will be considered “waters of the U.S.” That water and the earth and all therein will be subject to oversight, regulation, permitting, rules and regulations, and fines of $37,500 per day. As a long-time student of government, I’ve come to recognize the processes of our government. Expansion of powers comes naturally. As the EPA has grown over the years, there has been growth in the number of folks sitting in offices tasked with making our world better, cleaner. That’s good! Restraining government appropriately is quite a challenge. A puddle in your yard, a pond in a farm field after a big rain and the water in the ditch by your mailbox are a long way from “navigable” waters. After serious prodding, the EPA has extended our comment period to Oct. 20. Which way the winds blow is really up to us. Now is the time to write the EPA at {www.regulations.gov/#!doc umentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OW2011-0880-0001}. For more information on the EPA proposal, visit {ditchtherule.fb.org}.

Continue monitoring Ditch the Rule

“waters of the U.S.”) is enacted into law, it will be only a matter of time before taxes and fees are implemented to further control ALL facets of agriculture, including field tile installation, etc. If Ms. McCarthy needs some issue to refer to as “ludicrous,” she should update herself with the Clinton Landfill/PCBs plan, which very definitely is “ludicrous.” Once again, I can’t believe anybody would think that is a sane plan of action, including our current governor. JIM HIXSON Ivesdale

Lin Warfel serves as Champaign County Farm Bureau president.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Editor: I would certainly hope that state and national levels of the Farm Bureau continue to closely monitor the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If nothing else is evident, this administration and many department heads very definitely have a credibility problem as well as a very short memory. I personally resent (EPA Administrator) Gina McCarthy’s comments. I have no doubt whatsoever that if this whole idea (of redefining

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