Rollo Burnett knows how to control soil erosion on his Massac County farmland. page 3
A Western Illinois University study looks at the need for tornado debris cleanup plans for farms. page 4
Farmers can expect to see lower oil, gas and diesel fuel prices throughout the rest of the year. page 5
U.S. Senators urge EPA to stop delaying RFS Monday, May 11, 2015
BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek
Periodicals: Time Valued
Six U.S. Senators, including Illinois’ Dick Durbin, called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week to stop delaying the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The delays have prompted biodiesel plants to close or halt production, and put the country’s energy independence and environment at risk, the senators said. “There’s no excuse for what we’ve been going through for the last how many years? Two-and-ahalf, three years. It’s time for a decision,” said Durbin, DSpringfield. “How can you Dick Durbin build an industry? How can you make capital investments? How can you create jobs with so much uncertainty?” Joining Durbin at a press conference were Democratic Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Maria Cantwell of Washington, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Al Franken of Minnesota and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii.
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“We’ve been working on this a long time,” Heitkamp said. “We can only express the height of our disappointment with delay after delay after delay.” The EPA last month said it will announce proposed 2014, 2015 and 2016 RFS volume requirements by June 1 and make final rules on those obligations by Nov. 30. EPA’s proposal to reduce 2014 renewable volume obligations by 1.4 billion gallons was met with widespread opposition. The proposal, first introduced in 2013, has yet to be finalized. “2014 was poised to be a breakout year for biodiesel,” said Kent Engelbrecht, trade manager of biodiesel for Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). Then came EPA’s 2014 proposal, he said. “With a subsequent expiration of the biodiesel tax credit, we were forced to cease or slow production at all of our facilities,” he said. ADM produces more than 200 million gallons of biodiesel per year at four facilities using soy and canola oil as feedstock. These plants directly support about 1,000 jobs, Engelbrecht said.
The delays only deter additional investment. “Like many industries, American biodiesel requires
certainty in order to plan for production in the next year. We believe the market can get back on track, but it needs a
JUST KIDDING AROUND
clear signal from the EPA that it can count on a reliable, consistently growing RFS,” he said.e
A friendly goat takes center stage among visiting elementary students during Olympia Community School District’s annual Ag Day last week at the high school in Stanford. About 240 elementary students from across the central Illinois school district learned about agriculture, livestock, plants and safety. Sixty high school agriculture and science students, including 35 FFA members, staffed learning stations and assisted students. Kathryn Justus teaches agriculture and serves as the FFA chapter adviser. (Photo by Cyndi Cook)
Bird flu creeps closer to Illinois; farmers on alert BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, continues to hover around Illinois like waterfowl around a pond. HPAI as of last week spread to 14 states, including bordering states Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin. But no cases of HPAI were reported in Illinois as of Thursday. “Poultry and egg farmers are on high alert for any signs of the disease in their flocks,” said Ken Koelkebeck, state poultry specialist at the University of Illinois. Poultry losses due to the virus last week escalated to an estimated 21 mil-
lion birds. Those not killed by the virus were euthanized in an attempt to contain HPAI. The virus spreads via migratory bird movements and also by human-to-bird contact such as manure, dust, equipment or feed trucks, among other vectors. “It affects all poultry. The caveat is ducks and geese don’t show any symptoms,” Koelkebeck said. “In fact, they become carriers of the virus that eventually affects domestic poultry.” Domestic poultry stricken by HPAI show signs ranging from various flu symptoms to discoloration or gasping for air. “Once a flock contracts HPAI, 70 percent of the birds die within about
three days,” Koelkebeck said. “So, by the time you figure out what’s going on, three quarters of your birds are dead.” The industry and state officials, therefore, continue to take steps to try to keep HPAI from spreading to Illinois. Poultry producers are advised to restrict bird movements and interaction with wild birds, limit the number of people who enter poultry buildings, and sanitize facilities and equipment. The Illinois Department of Agriculture continues to work with businesses, bird owners and zoos to reduce the risk of bird flu. HPAI so far does not affect humans. It also does not compromise food safety.