FarmWeek November 7 2011

FArmerS thIS mOnth at the Illinois Commodity Conference will be encouraged to focus on the future as 2011 comes to a close. ...3

mOlIne-bASeD John Deere is preparing for its 175th anniversar y in 2012 and is looking to expand its global reach. ...............11

the tIme hAS cOme for farmers to open a dialogue with c o n s u m e r s, a c c o r d i n g t o t h i s year’s farm hostess. ....................16

Monday, November 7, 2011

Two sections Volume 39, No. 45

‘No question’ of safety net protection

Vilsack: Farmers must reach the ‘98 percent’

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

As Americans nationwide protest the lack of economic clout of the so-called “99 percent,” Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack urged the 2 percent of Americans who produce food to “speak to the 98 percent of Americans who do not farm.”

“This is more than a ‘farm’ bill,” Vilsack stressed last week as he led a farm bill panel at Peoria’s Bradley University.

He acknowledged likely movement away from direct payments. Given the economic climate and high crop prices, the role of subsidies in assur-

ing food production is “very hard for many people to understand,” he maintained.

However, “there’s no question there’s going to be a strong safety net in any legislation that’s passed by Congress, notwithstanding the budget challenges we face,” Vilsack said at a Peoria ag “symposium.” He sees a “continued commitment to crop insurance,” with likely expansion of covered commodities.

Noting risks to farmers from global events “that could significantly impact the price of their crops,” he supports a stronger “revenue protection”

FarmWeekNow.com Go to FarmWeekNow.com to listen to an RFD Radio interview with Secretary Vilsack.

program that could be “better explainable to the other 98 percent than direct payments.”

The secretary believes program priorities can be addressed despite a proposed $23 billion, 10-year cut in ag spending being considered by a 12-member congressional “super committee” charged with identifying massive deficit savings.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Vilsack told FarmWeek. “It

requires us to be more creative and innovative and figure out partnerships and ways in which we can enhance the benefits of conservation or tap resources for rural development or continue working on ways to strengthen the safety net.

“You can be pessimistic, moan and groan about how difficult the challenge is and how cuts are hard to do. Or you can say, ‘This is an opportunity to reshape the programs to make them more efficient, more effective, make them fewer and simpler to administer, with more hands-on opportunities,’ and do it in a way that creates

these new, exciting partnerships and connections and networks in rural America.”

Vilsack recognizes the sales job ahead for farmers, especially with lawmakers who “may have less of an interest in adequately supporting and framing (the farm bill)” if they don’t understand its “profound effect on the entire country.” Producers must promote the consumer benefits of what he dubbed the “Farm, Jobs, Environment, and Food Bill,” he said.

The bill “creates the platSee Vilsack, page 4

State laying off 5 percent of IDOA workforce

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Periodicals: Time Valued

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) faces “a significant loss” of 21 employees due to layoffs that took effect Nov. 1, said Jeff Squibb, IDOA spokesman.

The 21 individuals represent 5 percent of IDOA’s employees.

“Agriculture is willing to do

its share in balancing the budget, but at the same time we want to make sure IDOA has the necessary resources to carry out the regulatory programs it is responsible to oversee,” said Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson.

In September, Gov. Pat Quinn outlined plans to lay off 1,900 state employees, including those at IDOA, and to close seven state facilities because the budget wasn’t large enough to fund state government.

He had challenged lawmakers to take action during the fall veto session, but that didn’t happen during the first part of the session.

The affected IDOA employees are all four of the seed analysts in ag product inspections; two animal welfare investigators in the animal health and welfare department; and three plant and pest specialists in environmental programs.

The Illinois State Fairgrounds and the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds have lost four and three buildings and ground staff, respectively.

The layoffs include three grain warehouse examiners, a

weights and measures inspector, and a compliance officer in the meat and poultry inspection division.

The loss of all four seed analysts means IDOA will now have to contract with a private lab to provide seed analyses, but IDOA employ-

ees will continue to collect seed samples and follow up if there is any violation, Squibb explained.

The layoffs “will create management challenges,” he said.

“Our job now is to do the work required by statute

with a smaller workforce.

There has been no corresponding reduction in our statutory requirements,” Squibb said.

“The challenge now is to meet those requirements with a reduced workforce,” Squibb added.

THE END’S IN SIGHT

Pete Taylor, standing outside the tractor cab, waited last week for his truck to be loaded with corn in a field near Redmon in Edgar County. The land is farmed by Tony Kile and his wife, Brooke. The Kiles’ hired man, Justin Cary, is in the tractor cab. Yields on the farm this year are averaging 170-180 bushels per acre for corn and 50-60 bushels per acre for soybeans. About 130 acres of corn was yet to be harvested before the rains came last week. Statewide, corn was 89 percent completed and soybeans 94 percent done as the week began. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

FarmWeek on the web: FarmWeekNow.com

Illinois Farm Bureau®on the web: www.ilfb.org

FarmWeek Page 2 Monday, November 7, 2011

Quick Takes USDA TURNS 150 — Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack last week kicked off the 150th anniversary celebration of USDA at the Old Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.

Springfield, of course, was the home of the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln, who in 1862 signed into law an act of Congress that established USDA. “Through our work on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation, and a host of issues, USDA still fulfills President Lincoln’s vision as ‘The People’s Department,’ touching the lives of every American, every day,” Vilsack said.

Vilsack at the event unveiled a new website {www.usda.gov/usda150} that outlines the department’s history and Lincoln’s role in its creation.

DUST (RULE) BUSTERS? — A U.S. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee last week passed an amended version of the proposed Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act backed by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). The bill now moves to the full committee for consideration.

The measure, introduced by Reps. Kristi Noem (RS.D.) and Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), addresses the threat of increased federal regulation of dust by preventing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from imposing more stringent federal dust standards.

Last week’s amended measure would not exempt “coarse particulates” generated through combustion by industrial facilities and power plants. It addresses the differences between farm/rural dust and higher-level particulates that may impact more concentrated populations.

“We believe the committee improved the bill and made it stronger, which improves its chances of passing,” said AFBF clean air specialist Rick Krause.

For Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack’s views on the issue, see page 4.

VILSACK ON IMMIGRATION — Speaking at Peoria’s Bradley University, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack last week warned against election-season congressional “demagoguing” over immigration/border security issues, warning “we have crops rotting in the field today” amid the tussle over a crucial ag labor pool. Congress has deferred ag guest worker debate amid fears perpetuated by “people who want to make us feel like we don’t want another single person coming into this country,” he said.

“I’m adopted: I started life in a Catholic orphanage,” Vilsack related. “I honestly do not know my nationality, my background. Every single person in this room who knows (his) background probably can tell you the story of the relative who first came to this country and went through some tough, difficult hard times. They struggled.

“Before there’s an American dream, there’s always the American struggle. It’s that struggle that creates the energy and creativity, the innovation, the challenge that makes this country so great.”

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 39 No. 45 November 7, 2011 Dedicated to improving the profitability of farming, and a higher quality of life for Illinois farmers.

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LegaL issues

Attorney general, state’s attorney sue railroad over Tiskilwa derailment cleanup Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Bureau County State’s Attorney Patrick Herrmann last week sued Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. for alleged environmental violations stemming from an Oct. 7 train derailment near Tiskilwa. Nine tank cars that were transporting ethanol caught fire.

At least three drinking water wells are located near the derailment site in addition to Plow Hollow Creek and Big Bureau Creek, which eventually flow into the Illinois River.

The lawsuit asks the court to require a complete cleanup and to order Iowa Interstate Railroad to pay all cleanup costs.

“With an ethanol spill of this magnitude, we must ensure that the proper steps are taken to clean up the area and protect the public’s health and safety during that process,” Madigan said.

Madigan and Herrmann also requested and the court

‘ We must ensure that the proper steps are taken to clean up the area.’

— Lisa Madigan Illinois attorney general

agreed to an order ensuring Iowa Interstate Railroad will work with the state to thoroughly investigate and cleanup any environmental damages while the lawsuit proceeds.

Of the 26 derailed cars, about 10 tank cars each contained 30,000 gallons of ethanol. Although fire consumed much of the ethanol in nine overturned cars, authorities believe an unknown quantity of it seeped into the soil.

The court order requires Iowa Interstate Railroad to: • Report the test results of

all samples of air, soil, groundwater, and surface water at and around the site and all data related to modeling and hydrogeologic studies: • Survey private wells and community water supplies within a one-mile radius of the derailment site. If tests show that levels of some chemicals exceed the legally allowed standards, the railroad must provide bottled water to affected homes and buildings; and • Submit biweekly and monthly progress reports to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Collapse of MF Global adds to market volatility; commodity markets endure a ‘tough week’ at least some of the money may not be returned.

Regulators investigating the situation reportThe collapse of a major broker/clearing ed MF Global may have misappropriated about firm, MF Global, last week sent shockwaves $600 million in customer funds. through the commodity markets and added “At the end of the day, they’re going to have even more uncertainty to extremely volatile to find the money for those accounts,” Scoville markets. said.

New York-based MF Global, which Overall, Scoville believes the situation last reportedly had $8 billion in accounts, last week didn’t necessarily affect price action, but week filed for bankruptcy. It was the eighthit did have an impact on liquidity, which largest futures commission merchant in the increased volatility.

U.S. The fall of MF Global reportedly was “It created quite a bit” of turmoil, Jack tied to the Euro-zone debt crisis. The broScoville, futures market analyst and vice presikerage firm dent of Price was left with Futures Group no other in Chicago, ‘Overall, the situation created quite a option but to told FarmWeek. drop in the volume (of commodity file for bankruptcy after “MF Global trades).’ talks broke was a major down to sell a clearing firm at variety of its the Chicago — Jack Scoville assets to InterBoard of Vice president, Price Futures Group active Brokers Trade, MercanGroup. tile Exchange, and the New York Mercantile “The Greek situation and Europe (debt criExchange. A lot of locals (in Illinois) also sis) have been roiling the market, our own cleared through them.” economy is far from rosy, and the weather all Most accounts associated with MF Global, combined to create extreme volatility in the reportedly about 150,000, were frozen on Halmarket,” Scoville said. loween day.

“Something like this meltdown certainly “We haven’t done any business this won’t do anything to diminish that. It cerweek,” Scoville said Thursday. “The CME tainly made it a tough week for the marGroup locked out (traders) from MF Globkets.” al.

Jon Corzine, chairman of MF Global and “You could really tell the difference in floor former U.S. senator from New Jersey and govactivity,” the analyst continued. “Overall, the ernor of that state, resigned on Friday. situation created quite a drop in volume (of Corzine and MF Global as of Friday were not commodity trades).” accused of any wrongdoing.

Many accounts late last week were schedBut U.S. regulators are conducting a uled to be released. Price Futures Group switched from MF Global to ADM for clearing broad review of the company’s business as they try to account for the missing customer services. funds.

But many in the trade still were concerned

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Page 3 Monday, November 7, 2011 FarmWeek

GOvERNMENT

River stakeholders mulling funding options

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Soy industry leaders plan to reconvene with other Mississippi River stakeholders to determine possible new steps toward freeing dollars for much-needed lock upgrades.

Philip Bradshaw, former United Soybean Board (USB) immediate past chairman, joined representatives of other soy groups in a meeting with Panama Canal officials that led to an October gathering of ag, labor, barge, and other river interests in Quincy.

During a regional economic development summit preceding that meeting, Panama Canal Authority Vice President Rodolfo Sabonge stressed the importance of Midwest infrastructure investment in efficiently moving U.S. exports through his soonto-be-expanded canal. Sabonge argued “anything that facilitates the movement of grain will continue expanding the exports of the U.S.” An Informa Economics study indicates a combination of canal expansion and Upper Mis-

USDA last week designated 44 counties in Illinois as natural disaster areas due to losses caused by drought and excessive heat that began July 1. All qualified farm operators in designated areas, including 33 contiguous counties, are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency. The most recent disaster declarations are separate from the September announcement, when 46 counties (along with 27 contiguous counties) in the state were declared natural disaster areas because of losses caused by excessive rain, flooding, and flash flooding that occurred April 1 through July 31. Some counties were designated disaster areas in both declarations.

CATCHING SOME RAYS

Open house attendees at an Organic Valley farm in Scales Mound (Jo Daviess County) get a firsthand look and description of a recently installed 10-kilowatt solar electric system that powers the 45-cow dairy farm, owned and operated by Jeff and Sheila Koester. The Koesters’ new solar electric system was made possible through Organic Valley’s On-Farm Sustainability Program. Organic Valley reportedly is the largest co-op of organic farmers in the country. The Koesters have been members of Organic Valley since 2005. (Photo by Ceara Westaby)

sissippi improvements could spur a doubling of grain volume moving on the river.

“It could save about 35 cents a bushel (in shipping costs) for every bushel of soybeans we sell,” Bradshaw, a Griggsville farmer, told FarmWeek. “It’s not a minor thing.”

But U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District commander Col. Shawn McGinley warned of a federal funding scenario that could result in lock service being trimmed from 24 hours a day to 16.

The national Soy Transportation Coalition is finalizing a study measuring the costs of potential lock breakdowns and closings to growers.

River stakeholders thus are eyeing a follow-up meeting this month to discuss possible funding options in the face of federal deficit reductions. Toward that end, an industry consortium has supported boosting the existing 20-cent-per-gallon fuel tax, which feeds the Inland Waterways Trust Fund.

The trust fund was designed to fund 50 percent of lock construction and major rehab projects, but reserves have ebbed, delaying approval of federal cost-share dollars. A fiscally conservative House has rejected the notion of even voluntary tax increases to replenish the fund.

The White House’s Ameri-

Winners and users The National Waterways Foundation (NWF) is promoting University of Tennessee Center for Transportation Research research outlining the benefits — and diverse beneficiaries — of the inland navigation system.

Among key points: • The inland waterways system provides thousands of “family-wage” jobs in industries that help move some 624 million tons of waterborne cargo annually.

• In 2006, estimated national shipper savings using barge rather than other modes was $7 billion for the entire inland waterways system. Savings are passed on to consumers, who pay less for electricity and other key commodities, the Tennessee study asserted.

• Dams and tributaries collect runoff and help maintain navigation pools, helping manage flood events.

• In 2009, more than 382,000 recreational vessels passed through navigation locks free of charge.

• The nation’s hydropower generation plants generate billions of “green, sustainable” kilowatt hours annually, supported by the navigation system, according to the NWF.

can Jobs Act proposal seeks an annual $400 million for waterways improvements. But the administration recommends new commercial user and perlock passage fees beyond the marine fuel tax — a proposal that the industry believes would boost shipping costs.

Illinois Farm Bureau transportation specialist Kevin Rund noted one “big takeaway” from October’s annual Waterways Council Inc. (WCI) Waterways Symposium in Pittsburgh.

“There’s a realization that there are serious funding problems here, and it would take a miracle to shake money loose from Washington,” said Rund,

who attended the symposium.

“We’ll need to look at supplemental sources beyond federal dollars if we’re going to make immediate advances in lock funding.”

Rund noted the White House proposal includes none of the other important reforms the industry has supported alongside a fuel tax hike, such as limits on project cost overruns aimed at preserving trust fund dollars.

Further, WCI disputes proposals that would impose fees merely “on one beneficiary” of the river system (see accompanying details) and urges the 12member congressional “super committee” to reject the plan.

Future focus of conference

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Many farmers in the Corn Belt probably are in no hurry to see 2011 come to an end, at least from a financial standpoint.

USDA recently projected net farm income this year will reach a record level as cash receipts were predicted to be up 19.4 percent for crops and 15.8 percent for livestock compared to last year.

But with many challenges in the industry (input prices are expected to set a new record this year while corn and soybean prices recently plummeted 20 percent), farmers this month at the Illinois Commodity Conference will be encouraged to focus on the future.

The annual event will be Nov. 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington. Registration on the day of the conference will open at 7:30 a.m. and the program will conclude at 2:30 p.m.

The theme of the conference is “Gateway to the Future.” It is sponsored by the Illinois Beef, Corn Growers (ICGA), Milk Producers, Pork Producers, Soybean (ISA), and Wheat Associations.

“The Illinois Commodity Conference provides a valuable opportunity for Illinois farmers to come together to discuss the issues that affect us all,” said Jim Reed, ICGA president.

The scheduled speakers at the event are

Roger Cady, FarmWeekNow.com senior techniCheck out the Illinois Commodical consultant for Elan- t y C o n f e r e n c e w e b s i t e a t co; Dan Hal- FarmWeekNow.com. strom, senior vice president of marketing and communications at the U.S. Meat Export Federation; and David Zach, a futurist.

“Too often, we get caught up in our routines and entrenched in old habits,” said Matt Hughes, ISA board chairman. “This conference gives us the opportunity to reflect on those things and re-evaluate the way we do business.”

Cady will discuss keys to ag sustainability while Halstrom will evaluate how U.S. farmers can open the gate to new markets.

U.S. beef, pork, and lamb exports this year are on pace to set records, but there still are key opportunities to increase sales and market share, according to Halstrom.

“We’re seeing most major export countries continue to grow and there is more optimism on the horizon,” Halstrom said in an online interview posted at {www.cattlenetwork.com}.

“But there still are opportunities out there, (particularly) on the access side.”

The fee for the conference, which includes lunch, is $65 through Nov. 14 and $90 thereafter.

There is a discounted rate of $30 for students.

More information, including the complete agenda, is available online at {www.ilcommodityconf.org} or by calling 309-557-3703.

FarmWeek Page 4 Monday, November 7, 2011

government

Vilsack defends Jackson, seeks ‘regulatory certainty’

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Last week, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack stressed the need to assure “regulatory certainty” for farmers, arguing “we have the proof now” to demonstrate the positive impact of ag conservation measures on the Mississippi Basin watershed.

He nonetheless defended U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson’s assurances her agency would not seek more stringent controls on “farm dust” — airborne coarse particulates.

Vilsack deemed continued concerns among farmers and in Congress “particularly frustrating,” given Jackson’s “very specifically worded letter” rejecting the idea of new dust rules.

“We’ve been trying to explain for months that there is no dust rule,” he insisted at a Bradley University symposium.

Vilsack acknowledged concerns about potential regulatory overreach voiced by

state lawmakers and others participating in the symposium.

Farmers “need to know the rules aren’t going to change, they need to know what the rules are, and they need to know that if they make an investment, a year from now it’s not going to be insufficient,” he said.

Vilsack noted ongoing USDA efforts to help guide U.S. regulation of producers and rural communities. EPA’s ag representative consults with USDA two to three times a week on proposed rules or regulations under consideration by the environmental agency.

USDA also meets regularly with representatives of ag groups to update farmers on and field concerns about regulatory efforts. At the same time, USDA has helped Jackson “get a bird’s eye view of what goes on at the farm,” via joint rural tours in Iowa, Florida, and California, he said.

Recent EPA water quality “guidance” has heightened concerns about potential regu-

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack listens as Bradley University engineering student Andrew Aubry of Arlington Heights relates research on the energy cycle of soybean and related biofuels production. Vilsack last week visited with students, faculty, Peoria-area business leaders, and producers and led a panel discussion of farm bill priorities and concerns. (Photo by Martin Ross)

lation of farm nutrient use and “loading” within the Mississippi River watershed, similar to measures being implemented in the eastern Chesapeake Bay.

Vilsack said USDA now is able to “quantify” the cumulative impact of voluntary conservation projects and programs on Midwest water quality.

“To the extent that we can quantify and measure results of conservation, I think we can then get to the point where we can offer regulatory certainty,” he said.

Vilsack Continued from page 1 form for production of agricultural products,” assuring U.S. food security — “an enormous advantage from a national security perspective.” Vilsack deems the bill a “job creator,” citing potential for employment in renewable energy, “biobased” manufacturing, and engineering and other fields that fuel ag efficiency.

“Ever-increasing” ag energy production reduces reliance on imported oil and offers consumers “choice at the pump,” to date saving drivers 90 cents to $1-plus per gallon, he said.

Conservation benefits are “a little easier to explain” to the public, Vilsack argued. Direct payments have provided a major impetus for farmer conservation compliance, but he suggested compliance requirements could be tied to future crop insurance coverage or revised revenue protections.

Conservation comes in for significant cuts under the HouseSenate ag spending plan. Vilsack believes conservation programs, as well as USDA’s 43 rural development initiatives, can be consolidated but made more “flexible.”

He envisions a results-oriented, “holistic” conservation approach focusing on watershed-based gains and dispatching Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel to “spend more time with farmers in the field.”

Conservation “can create economic activity,” from use of local contractors to build field structures to new “credit” markets that allow growers to profit from measures that help nearby utilities and industries meet water quality goals, Vilsack said.

Similarly, he advocates regional strategies to pool rural development resources and bolster local/regional food systems, agbased outdoor recreation, and biobased production.

Renewable energy — as promoted under the farm bill’s energy title — offers a particularly promising “opportunity to speak to the other 98 percent,” he argued.

Vilsack chatted last week with Bradley engineering students studying farm energy use, bioenergy/biofuels production, and wind energy. He emphasized the importance of strengthening credit-finance options for young and beginning farmers, and noted 1 of every 12 U.S. jobs today is “directly related to agriculture.”

“If young people are interested in jobs, they ought to be interested in a healthy ag economy,” Vilsack thus advised.

Page 5 Monday, November 7, 2011 FarmWeek

regulations

FDA wants to limit use of antibiotics in animal ag

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

There may be no definitive proof antibiotic use in livestock production is accelerating antimicrobial resistance issues in human medicine.

But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes there is enough risk of such a scenario to warrant action, according to William Flynn, deputy director for science policy at FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

“We believe some of the science out there now suggests some action is warranted to address this issue and to mitigate risk,” Flynn said recently at the antibiotic use in food animals symposium hosted in Rosemont by the

National Institute for Animal Agriculture.

FDA last year released Guidance 209, which recommends the judicious use of medically important antimicrobial drugs. Guidance 209 recommendations and reactions to the proposals can be viewed at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website {www.avma.org}.

The FDA recommendations call for antibiotics used for “production purposes” to be phased out and for more veterinary oversight of antibiotics used in animal agriculture, Flynn said.

“Using drugs judiciously can help curb resistance,” he said.

‘We believe some of the science out there now suggests some action is warranted to address this issue and to mitigate risk.’

— William Flynn FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine

FDA, therefore, plans to limit the use of drugs in animal ag that are considered medically important to humans.

Flynn assured veterinarians and other animal health professionals that many antibiotics still will be available for livestock production.

“Our objective is not to

ban drugs, but to mitigate risks,” Flynn said. “Not all antimicrobials will be affected” by proposed regulations, he said.

Flynn did not provide a specific timeline for the phaseout of certain antibiotics. But he noted those in animal agriculture will be given sufficient time to make any necessary

transitions in their animal health programs.

“We recognize the need to phase in changes over time,” he said. “I envision this occurring over a number of years.”

Concerns about limiting antibiotics use in animal ag and increasing oversight from current levels include animal health, food safety, a lack of enough large-animal veterinarians, and higher production costs for producers.

“We’re seeking input on how to make the process more efficient,” Flynn added.

Countries that banned or regulated antibiotics in animal ag include Denmark (1998), Switzerland (1999), the European Union (2006), and South Korea this year.

Antibiotic restrictions could have unintended consequences Livestock producers and veterinarians aren’t the only people who could be affected by potential restrictions on antibiotics used in animal agriculture.

Consumers also could experience some “unintended consequences” if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposal to limit the use of antibiotics, in an attempt to slow antimicrobial resistance in human medicine, goes into effect.

That was the message veterinary health professionals delivered recently at the antibiotic use in food animals symposium hosted in Chicago by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture.

Scott Brown, senior director of metabolism and safety for Pfizer Animal Health, said restrictions on the use of previously approved antibiotics in animal ag could result in some

major animal diseases left untreated, an increase in animal mortality, and the development of a widespread black market. It also could jeopardize food safety and human health, he said.

“Do we think about the unintended consequences when we take action?” Brown asked.

If antibiotic use is restricted to a small class of products, the situation actually could speed up the rate of resistance, he said.

“What do you think that will do to resistance” if there is intense use of a small class of antibiotics in animal ag, Brown noted.

Meanwhile, the general trend for cases of foodborne illness in the U.S. is down, although widespread media reports of outbreaks may make it seem as though cases are on the rise, according to

Tom Shryock, senior research adviser of microbiology at Elanco Animal Health.

“Antibiotics are one of the tools that enable more healthy animals to enter the food chain,” Shryock said.

Brown also is concerned limiting the use of antibiotics could restrict research and development of new products.

It currently takes about 10 years and $100 million to move a veterinary drug from the discovery phase to the marketplace, he claimed.

“The pipeline is slowing for antimicrobials in humans and animals,” Brown said.

“The most current veterinary antibiotics were discovered in the 1980s.”

The potential loss of such tools, increased animal health problems, and higher production and food costs eventually could have a major impact on the human population.

“It’s important we protect all the technology we have in ag,” said Mike Lormore, director of dairy veterinary opera-

tions for Pfizer Animal Health. “If we didn’t have technology of the past 60 years, we currently would be able to feed only about 4 billion people.”

The world population last month surpassed the 7 billion mark. It is projected to reach 9 billon by 2050.

“In 50 years, the population will need 100 percent more food,” Brown added. “Seventy percent of that has to come from technology.” — Daniel Grant

FarmWeek Page 6 Monday, November 7, 2011 Last report of the season Bernie Walsh, Durand, Winnebago County: Corn harvest is still under way here in Winnebago County. We had a rain delay with anywhere from 0.8 to 1.5 inches of rain on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Hopefully, we will not have too many more rain delays because there is approximately 30 to 40 percent of the corn left to harvest.

The moisture levels are in the mid- to upper teens, and the yields have continued to impress most of us. The biggest problems this year have been the downed corn from the wind storms in July and the late-season ear droppage. There has been a lot of fall tillage and fertilizer application when the weather permitted. I believe the conclusion for this year will be that it has been another good year with above-average yields and high commodity prices to help pay for the higher-priced inputs. I hope everyone enjoyed reading the Cropwatchers feature this year, because I have enjoyed writing for it, and I look forward to seeing you back here again next year.

Pete Tekampe, Grayslake, Lake County: A great week of harvest in Lake County. Beans are above 99 percent cut and yields are a little above average.

Corn is about half picked with yields a little above average, which is good considering the shoulder-high corn in August became a little shorter than kneehigh from wind damage. We have a lot to be thankful for this season. The yields that no one expected, an early and safe harvest, and above all a good price for our commodities.

So, let’s be thankful for this season and have a safe and happy holidays.

Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: Rain on Wednesday night amounted to 1.3 inches.

That gives us a total since April 1 of 36.9 inches. Corn yields have been very variable this year from zero on flooded-out, storm-damaged areas to as high as 240 bushels per acre. There still are many acres of corn yet to be combined. Soybean yields have been very good.

Again, there were some very low yields in the flooded areas to as high as 80 bushels per acre on others. Grain prices have held very high, but now cash rents for next year is going through the roof. Even though we had many warm summer days, our growing degree units totaled 3,032, which was about 300 units behind 2010. Have a good winter and a safe harvest finish, and we hope to see you next year.

CROPWATCHERS Ryan Frieders, Waterman, DeKalb County: Harvest at our farm is almost complete. Corn moisture is between 16-18 percent. We received a half-inch of rain on Wednesday night and Thursday. Fall tillage is being done. Many neighbors already are applying anhydrous for next year’s crop. It is hard to believe 2011 is almost over and we are planning for 2012. It has been an interesting year, but I can’t wait to see what next year brings. Work safely.

Ken Reinhardt, Seaton, Mercer County: I had an inch and a quarter of rain Thursday. This was the biggest amount in months. Many producers have finished with harvest, but there are a few scattered cornfields left to go. Corn yields were all over the place. Corn-on-corn remains a challenge with variety selection making the biggest difference this year. The early maturities missed the late rain and really suffered. A farmer below the bluff said his heavy ground drowned out in June and his light soils burned up in August making for a lousy year. I downloaded video from my phone to YouTube channel KenReinhardtFarms to recap the season.

Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: We received 1.4 inches of rain last week.

Hopefully, that will just be the start of more moisture for this fall and winter. We are very dry in this area and will need ample rainfall and snow to recharge our soils before next year’s growing season. Harvest is nearing the end in this area with just a few fields left to combine.

This area has been fortunate to have good yields again this year. Fertilizer application and some tillage have been going on. Please enjoy the holiday season and take the time to visit with friends and family.

Tim Green, Wyoming, Stark County: Harvest in Stark County is pretty well wrapped up.

Tillage is starting, and a little bit of anhydrous is being applied.

We had a nice inch to inch and a quarter of rain last week. It was greatly, greatly appreciated and needed. We were really, really dry. We were drier this year than we were a year ago. The soybean crop was a little bit above the average. The corn crop was probably right at the average to a little bit above average. I learned a lot this year. One thing about farming, I’m pretty sure things next year will be different, so we will start all over again. Have a nice holiday season.

Larry Hummel, Dixon, Lee County: As we wrap up another year of Cropwatchers, I always get a little jealous of the Cropwatchers from the central to southern part of the state.

Quite often, they have completed harvest a week or two earlier and talking about wrapping up fall tillage. Here in Northern Illinois, we are still in the thick of things with 25 percent of the corn left to harvest.

Fortunately, for those of us in Northern Illinois, we didn’t have the dry summer that plagued other parts of the state. Too many hot days and strong winds were the limiting factors in corn — in some cases dropping yields 10 percent. Soybeans on the other hand, evidently loved the heat and braved the winds to produce a crop well above average.

Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: As the season winds down, so does the stress level for many.

Harvest is over and tillage is almost complete. Lime and fertilizer are being applied at a rapid rate. Now it is time to get some tiling and conservation projects done. The box scraper is a handy tool for these projects in the fall.

If you didn’t like this year, there is always next year, and it is time to start planning for it. Order your seed early and often as seed will be in short supply industrywide. Enjoy the winter and we will see you at the farm shows. Markets are steady, waiting for the November crop report. Corn exports are really low as other countries are ramping up production. Will we see $7 corn again or will $5 come quicker?

Joe Zumwalt, Warsaw, Hancock County: 2011 certainly has gone by in a flash. While this has been a difficult crop year in Western Illinois, I believe we were lucky to harvest the crop we did. Yields varied dramatically and for a wide variety of reasons.

Some wheat has been sown in the area, but I don’t believe as many acres were planted as usual. Harvest and most tillage are wrapping up, leaving many with only fall fertilizer to apply or cattle to work. Amazingly, it still knows how to rain in Western Illinois. We received 2 to 3 inches last week. While 2011 proved to be quite an unpredictable year, I am anxiously and optimistically awaiting the 2012 growing season.

Thank you for following us this year. I hope that we all have a safe, happy, and blessed holiday season. And I’ll see you back here in 2012.

Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: We had a good week for harvesting. On Oct. 30 we lost a couple hours to rain, and we lost all of Thursday due to rain. Each time we received close to 0.1 of an inch. Ninety-five percent or more of the crops are out.

We have 375 acres left to harvest. The last fields we have been in have been our better yields. One thing that seems to be consistent is that the refuge corn is yielding much less. In general, it has been 15 to 30 bushels per acre lower in yield for us. Overall, our farm yield average would rank third over the past 10 years. Only 2009 and 2004 were better in yield. The local closing bids for Nov. 3 were $6.51 for nearby corn (2.5 cents below CBOT), $5.72 for fall 2012 corn, $12.03 for nearby soybeans, and $11.95 for fall 2012 soybeans. Basis levels continue to show improvement.

Brian Schaumburg, Chenoa, McLean County: Almost ready to put this season to bed with some tillage to do and a lot of NH3 and lime to be applied.

Rainfall of 0.75 to 2 inches brought work to a halt, but we need to recharge dry soils for next year. 2011 has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions and expectations. Now that it is over, it turns out to be about average. Almost time to start my winter job on the hard courts (as a referee). Corn, $6.51; $6.56, January; $5.71, fall 2012; soybeans, $11.97; $12.04, January; $11.97, fall 2012; wheat, $6.29.

Steve Ayers, Champaign, Champaign County: Combines and tractors rolled last week until a nice recharge rain started falling Wednesday night. By Thursday morning we had 0.6 of an inch of rain and rain continued through Thursday so our total Friday morning was 1.22 inches.

As of Oct. 31, USDA had our district at 91 percent corn harvested and 98 percent soybeans harvested. Looks like more rain today through Wednesday with temperatures from 40 to 60 degrees. Farmers are busy spreading fertilizer and lime, applying anhydrous, soil testing, tilling, tiling, and doing conservation work. Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: As we wind down this unusual year of unusual outcomes and weather, let us reflect just a moment. Last February brought record snowfall for many.

March rainfall was only 1 inch.

April and May produced about 4 inches each month and then June had more than 13 inches. July produced only 1.1 inches of rain, and it almost forgot to rain at all in August at 0.2 of an inch.

September gave us 1 inch, and October measured 1.85 inches for a total of about 27 inches for the growing season. So, in spite of being so dry so long, many enjoyed good yields with most corn slightly above average and most soybeans a little below average. We still have a few weeks left of this unusual year, and I am sure we are all very thankful for what we have, especially for our health and loved ones this Thanksgiving season. It is a little early, but Merry Christmas to all and enjoy your winter, wherever you may be.

Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula, Menard County: Corn and soybean harvest is complete for almost everyone in the county. Fall nitrogen application was in full swing before the 1.4 inches of rain we received on Thursday. Fall herbicide programs are in various stages of completion. Baby Winkelmann is still on track to be a Christmas/New Years baby. Here’s hoping for a nice tax deduction!

Todd Easton, Charleston, Coles County: An inch of rain in the gauge on Thursday halted work for now. If the forecast holds true, farmers and service companies may be on an extended break. Fortunately, preceding this weather event was a beautiful mid-fall week for fieldwork that witnessed virtually the last of the crops cleared off the field and put in the bin.

Many fall tillage operations and dry fertilizer applications were completed, and anhydrous ammonia was applied on several acres. It was an interesting year as we overcame another challenging planting season, witnessed the crops battle tough summer weather conditions, and thankfully in the end were blessed with a much better harvest than many of us anticipated. Once again we find ourselves at the end of the Cropwatcher reporting season and already eagerly anticipate what the next growing season will bring. Until then, have a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for the coming year.

Doug Uphoff, Shelbyville, Shelby County: Another Cropwatcher year draws to a close, and we already are preparing for next year’s crop. We have completed all fieldwork and have all but 260 acres of anhydrous applied.

We needed a rain on the last fields that needed NH3 and we were blessed with 1.5 inches. We will see you next crop-watching season. Be safe and God bless the family farmers.

Page 7 Monday, November 7, 2011 FarmWeek

CROPWATCHERS Jimmy Ayers, Rochester, Sangamon County: We got 1.6 inches of rain that started Thursday. It pretty much all soaked in and brought everything to a halt. Most of the crops have been harvested, and a lot of fieldwork has been done. Several are putting on anhydrous, fertilizer, and lime. Corn yields this year were a little less than expected. They ranged anywhere from 65 to 184 bushels per acre.

Around our place, the beans are running from a 48 bushel average up to 63. Markets are still offering a pretty good rate of return. I hope everybody had a good year and I am looking forward to next year.

David Schaal, St. Peter, Fayette County: Showers moved in here early Thursday morning and hung on all the way through Friday, which left a strong inch in the rain gauge. Harvest in the area is all but complete. There was some fall tillage and fertilizer and chemical application going on until the rain hit. For the most part, everyone is pleased with yields they ended up with considering the long stretch of heat we had this summer and the lack of rain later in the growing season. Now I’m marketing the crop and working on next year’s crop plan. Have a good rest of 2011.

Ted Kuebrich, Jerseyville, Jersey County: Jersey County received 1.3 inches of rain on Thursday and that put a stop to harvesting and fall tillage. The ground temperature is right for applying anhydrous ammonia and before the rain, farmers were hard at putting it on. To try to sum up the harvest this year, the yields turned out about average. Corn yields ran from 135 to just around 200 bushels per acre. Bean yields ranged from 40 to around 60 bushels. It was a pretty good year considering the late planting this spring and the hot, dry summer. Prices at Jersey County Grain, Hardin: October corn, $6.42; January 2012 corn, $6.47; March 2012 corn, $6.54; October beans, $12.01; January 2012 beans, $12.19; March 2012 beans, $12.14.

Reports received Friday morning. Expanded crop and weather information available at {www.farmweeknow.com}.

Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: What a year!

Wet, dry, bad, worse, and finished somewhere in between. It was one of those years when it’s better to be lucky than good.

Beans planted in late July and still no killing frost by Nov. 4, wow. Now that is rolling the dice well. Thanks for putting up with my silliness for another year, and I hope to see you all on down the trail.

Dan Meinhart, Montrose, Jasper County: Fieldwork was going full-steam-ahead until the rains moved in Thursday morning. Amounts averaged about a half inch. The temperatures during the day were mild. The nights were cooler with jack frost appearing some mornings. A few fields remain to be harvested.

Fall tillage and fertilizer and chemical applications have been taking place. The wheat has emerged and is looking good. Rain is expected to return the first part of this week. Have a safe rest of the fall and winter.

Kevin Raber, Browns, Wabash County: Rain Thursday of around 0.5 of an inch slowed field activities. Harvest is probably 90 percent done. I need another three days and I will be done with harvest. I’ve been disappointed with my corn yields, but I’m happy with my beans. In wrapping up this last report, I would say that this year has been strange, difficult, stressful, and many more adjectives you might want to add to describe it. But, as always, the Lord blessed us with a bountiful harvest.

Dean Shields, Murphysboro, Jackson County: The past week’s weather was pretty nice the first of the week, then we got rain on Thursday, which slowed down the harvest. Harvest is winding down. The yields have been disappointing for both corn and soybeans. There was quite a bit of wheat being planted, and it’s looking pretty good. To summarize the year, we went through a flood, a drought, and extreme heat, and we just look forward to next year. Only hope that the prices stay high.

Everybody take care during harvesting.

Dave Hankammer, Millstadt, St. Clair County: Like a blank canvas waiting for the master artist to create a new masterpiece, many of the fields in the area are now empty awaiting next year’s crop. Harvest is done with the exception of a few isolated fields of double-crop soybeans and late corn. Yields have been respectable considering the weather extremes we experienced during the planting and growing season. There are reports of low yields in areas where plantings were delayed into the month of June and the heat of the summer affected pollination. This past week we received up to 0.8 of an inch of rain, which slowed down the harvest of the few remaining crops. Since this is the last report for the year, I wish all of you happy holidays and a successful year. Local grain bids are: corn, $6.42; soybeans, $11.96; wheat, $6.15.

Randy Anderson, Galatia, Saline County It was an interesting season, to say the least. It started off real well with continual rains and we got rain on and off during the summer. We ended up with crops turning out right at average with some places above and some below. Soybeans, I feel, were just an average crop. I want to thank everybody who reads this article and has commented on my reports.

Everybody have a good holiday season and remember the reason for the season.

Ken Taake, Ullin, Pulaski County: We managed to finish harvest on Wednesday. I think most farmers in the area are close if not finished with harvest for this year. I always seem to breathe easier to have harvest over and ready to start looking forward to next year. It was a difficult year with too much moisture early and then a very dry summer. We are thankful our corn yields were down only 10 percent from our average and our soybeans yields were down about 15 percent. The higher commodity prices will sure help make up some of that difference. Always optimistic and hopeful for next year. Try to have a safe winter season and enjoy time with your family when things do finally slow down on your farm.

Rain a welcome sight despite fieldwork delays

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

A cold front that brought widespread rainfall to the region the middle of last week temporarily delayed most fieldwork activity.

But many farmers, at least those in the southern twothirds of the state, probably didn’t mind.

October rainfall averaged just 1.79 inches statewide, 1.12 inches below normal, which made it the 21st-driest October on record dating back to 1895.

And a moderate to severe drought still was in effect in parts of Western Illinois as of the first of last week, according to Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey.

“I had an inch and a quarter of rain (last week),” said Ken Reinhardt, a FarmWeek Cropwatcher from Mercer County. “This was the biggest amount in months.”

Tim Green, a Cropwatcher from Stark County, reported similar rainfall amounts in his area last week ranging from 1 to 1.25 inches.

“It was greatly appreciated, and needed,” Green said.

“We were really, really dry.”

Overall, harvest last week was winding down statewide as 89 percent of corn and 94 percent of soybeans were in

‘We have a new round of La Nina conditions in the Pacific.’

— Bryce Anderson DTN ag meteorologist

the bin. Harvest as of the first of last week was 18 percent ahead of the average pace for corn and 14 percent ahead of the average pace for beans.

“Harvest at our farm is almost complete,” said Ryan Frieders, a Cropwatcher from DeKalb County.

Most of the remaining corn crop is in fields in Northwestern and Northeastern Illinois where har-

vest last week was about three-fourths complete. For soybeans, most of the remaining crop last week was in Southwestern Illinois where harvest was 70 percent complete.

“Hopefully, we will not have too many more rain delays because there is approximately 30 to 40 percent of the corn left to harvest,” said Bernie Walsh, a Cropwatcher from Winnebago County.

Bryce Anderson, DTN ag meteorologist, last week predicted drier, fairly seasonable conditions in Illinois the first half of this month.

After that, Midwesterners could experience another active winter season. Parts of the western U.S. and East Coast last week were slammed with heavy snowfall.

“We have a new round of La Nina conditions (coolerthan-normal water temperatures) in the Pacific,” Anderson said. “With a La Nina, these types of (heavy snowfall) events are possible.”

Illinois typically receives its first measurable snowfall

each year in November. The central Midwest, from Des Moines to Indianapolis, has received measurable snowfall in November 75 percent of the time in recorded weather

history, according to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center.

The median date for the first snowfall in Chicago is Nov. 20.

FarmWeek Page 8 Monday, November 7, 2011

rural ISSuES

Water management drawing attention as conservation tool

Fall time to think about tile options

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Drainage water table management has shown promise as a conservation tool to manage nitrogen losses.

Twenty field trials in five states, including Illinois, have shown good results, according to Harold Reetz, a consulting agronomist and the demonstration coordinator for the Indian Creek Watershed Project in Livingston County.

Drainage water management uses control structures to raise the water table during certain periods to prevent nitrogen losses.

Among the 20 field sites, the practice held back on average 34 to 35 percent of the nitrogen, Reetz estimated.

Three of the Conservation Innovation Grant field sites are located in Illinois at Barry, Hume, and Carmi.

Because much tiling is being done this fall, the timing is right to consider drainage water management, said Reetz and Steve

Baker of Springfield Plastics Inc. Tile systems designed for drainage water management drain around field contours compared to a traditional system that does not, said Baker.

An Agriculture Drainage Management Coalition leader, Baker acknowledged water management systems that drain based on contours are more expensive, ranging from $50 up to $200 more per acre.

However, it would be

expensive, and in some cases nearly impossible, to retrofit existing tile systems for water table management, both Baker and Reetz noted.

Farmers may be eligible for incentives for several aspects of drainage water management through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), according to Ivan Dozier, Illinois assistant state conservationist for programs.

Through Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), NRCS offers a Conser-

vation Activity Plan (CAP) payment that provides financial assistance for a drainage water management plan developed by a certified technical service provider.

EQIP also offers financial assistance for the installation of water control components for a drainage water management system.

Those would include a water control structure and the accessories to attach it to existing tile.

Some farmers may be eligi-

ble for a management incentive payment, based on the affected acres, to monitor the structures and other activities required to manage the water level.

Staff with the NRCS region of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio have been reviewing drainage water management as a conservation practice, according to Dozier.

“You will see more emphasis on this practice as we roll out EQIP this year,” he said.

Economist: Wireless phones may spur broadband growth Increased demand for wireless phones that have the ability to access the Internet could spur the growth of broadband services in rural areas, according to a Georgetown University economist.

“That’s good news. We have prospects of getting broadband to less densely populated areas” via wireless technology, John Mayo with the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy said recently in a FarmWeek-

RFD Radio interview.

Mayo recently released a study about Americans shifting to wireless phones from landlines and the implications for rural America.

Nationwide, a quarter of all households have mobile phones only, according to Mayo. That percentage is much higher, 70 percent, among individuals who are younger than 30. He added increasing numbers of those mobile devices have the abili-

‘We find the demand (for wireless service) is even higher in rural areas compared to other parts of the country.’

— John Mayo Georgetown University economist

ty to access the Internet.

“We find the demand (for wireless services) is even higher” in rural areas compared to other parts of the country,” Mayo said. However, “the infrastructure hasn’t been built out as rapidly in rural areas.”

Illinois broadband projects are using a variety of technologies to provide highspeed Internet to rural areas.

No consensus has been reached on the best method to provide access in rural Illinois.

“I would advocate getting broadband to rural areas in the most efficient and lowest cost ways available ... In rural areas, the most efficient way may be wireless,” Mayo said.

Mayo said he had not studied the impact of broadband on rural economic growth.

However, he said “intuition” would lead one to believe broadband would drive economic growth in rural areas because the technology would overcome geographic isolation of rural areas and potentially broaden the economic base, he said.

In addition, broadband availability also might “stem the outflow (of young people) away from rural areas,” Mayo added.

Analyses and other information about wireless communication and rural broadband are available online at {http://cbpp.georgetown.edu}.

— Kay Shipman

Auction Calendar

Schmidgall, Auctioneers.

Sat., Nov. 12. 9:30 a.m. Large Auction. Janice Bridwell, MCLEANSBORO, IL. Don Burke, Auctioneer. auctionzip.com, keyword bridwell Sat., Nov. 12. 10 a.m. Farmland Real Estate Auction. Lowell and Rosie Myers Trust, ORANGEVILLE, IL. Pro Auctions, LLC. www.mudcreekfarms.com/pro-auctions.html Sat., Nov. 12. 10 a.m. Real Estate Auction. Cyrus Johnson Estate, GODFREY, IL. Henke Auction and Realty. www.henkeauction.com Sat., Nov. 12. 1 p.m. Grundy Co. Land Auc. Neville Trust, MAZON, IL. Richard A. Olson & Assoc., Inc. richardaolson.com Sat., Nov. 12. 10 a.m. LaSalle Co. Land Auc. Evelyn Bitner Trust, MAZON, IL. Richard A. Olson & Assoc., Inc. richardaolson.com Sat., Nov. 12. 10 a.m. Perry Co. Land Auction. CAMPBELL HILL, IL. Buy A Farm www.buyafarm.com Mon., Nov. 14. 10 a.m. McLean Co. Farmland. Myrtle Thompson Farm, BLOOMINGTON, IL. Haycraft Auction Co., Inc. www.haycraftauctions.com Tues., Nov. 15. 6 p.m. Land Auction.

The Ralph D. Siebert Trust, MASCOUTAH, IL. Mark Krausz Auction Service. www.krauszauctions.com Tues., Nov. 15. 1 p.m. Boone Co. Land Auction. CAPRON, IL. Martin, Goodrich & Waddell, Inc. wwwmgw.us.com

Mon., Nov. 7. 10 a.m. Livingston Co Farmland. Virginia Ruth Yergler Trust, GRIDLEY, IL. Terry Wilkey Auction Service. www.terrywilkey.com Mon., Nov. 7. 6 p.m. Farmland.

Reginald N. Blankenship Estate, DONNELLSON, IL. Langham Auctioneers.

Tues., Nov. 8. Farmland Sangamon Co. Soy Capital Ag Services. www.soycapitalag.com Wed., Nov. 9. 9:30 a.m. Marshall Co. Farmland. Mooberry Family Trust A&B, TOLUCA, IL. Lauf Auction Service. biddersandbuyers.com/lauf Wed., Nov. 9. 6 p.m. Land Auction. The Helen E. & Carl J. Huels Sr. Trust, BARTELSO, IL. Mark Krausz Auction Service. www.krauszauctions.com Wed., Nov. 9. Farmland Piatt Co. Soy Capital Ag Services. www.soycapitalag.com Wed., Nov. 9. 10 a.m. Winnebago Co. Land Auction. ROCKFORD, IL. www.mgw.us.com Thurs., Nov. 10. 10 a.m. Knox Co. Land Auction. Marilyn J. Main Trust, WOODHULL, IL. Van Adkisson Auction Service, LCC. www.biddersandbuyers.com Thurs., Nov. 10. 6 p.m. CST. Wabash Co. Land Auction. Estate of Francis H. Eagle, MT. CARMEL, IL. Parrott Real Estate and Auction Co., LLC. www.sellafarm.com Fri., Nov. 11. 8:30 a.m. Consignment Auction & David McClelland Estate, TREMONT, IL. Cal Kaufman and Brent

Page 9 Monday, November 7, 2011 FarmWeek

SAfEty

Wanted: community-based farm safety trainers

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

A new initiative would use a community-based multiplier effect to reduce farm accidents statewide.

The Illinois-based Grain Handling Safety Coalition (GHSC) is seeking to recruit 60 “community trainers” to educate at least 400 other farmers, family members, and rural residents in on-farm hazard prevention and, where necessary, accident response and management

by October 2012.

The coalition recently received a $168,000 grant from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop a “train the trainer” curriculum and other materials volunteer trainers can use to educate farmers, ag employees, rural youth, and other at-risk groups. GHSC hopes to launch an initial trainer training program by May. Trainers will administer a 7 1/2-hour course for community groups focused on topics such as grain bin entry, confined space risks, fall protection, and equipment entanglement hazards. University of Illinois ag safety specialist Robert Aherin suggested each trainer could coach 10-20 individuals by the program’s Sept. 30, 2012, deadline.

“We would hope trainers would include respected leaders in their community who have a passion to help make their rural communities safer,” coalition co-founder and Grain and Feed Association of Illinois Executive Vice President Jeff Adkisson told FarmWeek. “We hope they’d be willing to commit the time necessary for the training and to understand our curriculum, so that we’re getting a consistent message out.”

Aherin reported the coalition curriculum would focus not only on grain and related risks but also on compliance with

safety laws and regulations.

GHSC was founded with an eye toward “community-based partnerships,” and participants recently stressed the importance of “local control” of safety programs relevant to area activities.

Jeffrey Decker, product safety manager with grain bin manufacturer GSI, emphasized the need to train civilians in measures that can “stabilize the situation” until emergency responders arrive.

But ag safety advocates face several challenges in bringing producers, agribusinesses, and others together. For example, Decker, who helps train volunteer firefighters, said legal liability concerns may make some paid fire departments reluctant to accept outside training.

Beth Whelan, Mendotabased clinic director with the Community Health Partnership of Illinois, sees a communitybased approach as essential to her particular constituency: area seasonal and migrant ag workers. She focuses on training in issues that include pesticide use, heat exhaustion, and, increasingly, accident prevention — “That’s where the coalition comes in,” Whelan said.

The GHSC training curriculum will be translated into Spanish, to help reach that group, which was targeted during a Northern Illinois University session recently. Whelan noted more widespread adoption of bilingual safety signage across her Northern Illinois region.

She nonetheless stressed a growing need to help workers attain “the education level that’s needed for them to understand (safety) material.” That could entail working with community English Second Language education programs.

“Sometimes, the material’s written at a higher level than (migrant workers) can comprehend,” Whelan told FarmWeek.

CORN HEAD CLOSE UP

Kendall County Farm Bureau President Wes Morris, left, describes a corn head to state Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights). Harris and his legislative aide, Linda Heneghan, met with members of his “adopted” county Farm Bureau for a farm tour. They were joined by Cook County Farm Bureau members and state Rep. Kay Hatcher (R-Yorkville). The group discussed grain industry issues after touring the GRAINCO FS elevator. Livestock issues were the topic at Phil Thanepohn’s cattle farm. Harris rode on Morris’ combine and learned about harvesting crops. Harris and Heneghan said the farm tour helped them understand more about Illinois agriculture and farm life. (Photo by Christina Nourie, Illinois Farm Bureau northeast legislative coordinator)

FarmWeek Page 10 Monday, November 7, 2011

“Shining A Light On The Truth� “Shining a light on the truth,� came right out of the mouth of Illinois Farm FamiliesŽ Field Mom Farrah Brown of Glendale Heights. DeKalb County farmers Mike and Lynn Martz of Maple Park and Kane County farmers Dale and Linda Drendel of Hampshire hosted the Field Moms, who were selected from among on-line applicants.

On Saturday, October 15, seven Field Moms (Chicago-area moms who have TXHVWLRQV DERXW WKHLU IRRG IDUPHUV DQG IDUPLQJ VDZ Ă€ UVWKDQG KRZ WKHLU IRRG is grown and raised. The day included both conversations and hands-on farm activities including combine rides, petting the calves, and helping with the afternoon milking. Dale Drendel said, “We don’t take milk from the cows, they give it to us.â€?

Deb Moore of Roseville was chosen to work with the Field Moms. Moore (left) talks with Field Moms Angel Ishmael and Farrah Brown about how farmers can determine what their corn yields will be based on examining one ear of corn.

Back row: Ray and Carol Larson, Betsie Estes, Joelen Tan, Julie Barreda, Emily Paster, Lynn and Mike Martz holding Jaxson Martz.

Front Row: Justin and Jamie Martz, Angel Ishmael, Farrah Brown, Amy Hansmann, and Amy Rossi.

Mike Martz talks with the Field Moms about what to look for when buying meat. The moms also learned how today’s beef is raised and found out how farmers reduce their animals’ stress and manage their health, well-being and comfort.

To learn more about the Field Moms programs:

www.watchusgrow.org www.facebook.com/illinoisfarmfamilies http://twitter.com/ilfarmfamilies

Lindale Holsteins, a family farm since 1974, Hampshire, IL

Illinois Farm FamiliesŽ are Illinois farmers who support Illinois Farm BureauŽ, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association, and Illinois Beef Association. We are committed to having conversations with consumers, answering their questions about food, farmers, and farming, and sharing what really happens on today’s Illinois family farms. More than 94 percent of Illinois farms are family owned and operated. We are passionate about showing consumers how we grow safe, healthy food for their families and ours.

IFF595T1

Page 11 Monday, November 7, 2011 FarmWeek

the planet

Deere targeting world’s scaled-down needs

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Moline-based John Deere is preparing for the company’s 175th anniversary in 2012.

Like a growing number of agribusiness giants, the Midwest equipment manufacturer is helping the “Third World” to develop.

Major seed companies are focusing technology well beyond the Corn Belt, while U.S. universities are helping

In Deere’s case, helping growers globally to ramp up production will require scaling down equipment for smaller farmers. In an effort to double annual sales to $50 billion by 2018, it is offering products such as lightweight, lower-cost tractors better suited, say, to Indian rice production.

Barry Nelson, a spokesman with Deere’s Ag and Turf Division, sees “tremendous potential for agriculture, espe-

‘There is tremendous potential for more advanced equipment in these countries as everyone around the world looks at ways to produce more food and betterquality food.’

— Barry Nelson John Deere

low-acreage/low-income farmers master risk management and African and Eastern European producers are being invited into the Internet’s social network (see accompanying stories).

cially the global markets.” He noted projections that the Earth’s population will reach 9 billion by 2050 (it reached 7 billion last week). “We need equipment, we need technology, we need production agri-

culture to be able to feed this growing population,” he said.

“This will be happening particularly in India, China, down in Brazil,” he said in an RFD Radio-FarmWeek interview.

“These are huge growth countries, and these people also will want a higher quality of food than they’ve had in the past.

“We take a look at what kinds of agricultural equipment needs they have in these countries. Quite frankly, there are smaller tractors we sell quite a lot of particularly in India. There is tremendous potential for more advanced equipment in these countries as everyone around the world looks at ways to produce more food and better-quality food.”

Many developing nations have seen rural outmigration

New app could be beneficial for farmers across globe In an increasingly ravenous, Internet-connected world, there’s no such thing as TMI — too much information.

Croatia’s Matija Kopic hopes to use “social media” to feed the world’s growing need for food and farmers’ need for the data that will help them produce it. Kopic is the 25-year-old founder and CEO of Farmeron.com, and his reported aim is to “disrupt the world’s agriculture” — in a good way.

The website/online tool is designed to assist in farm data management, performance analysis, and production planning and foster global farmer networking. That excites Chicago communications specialist Michelle Damico, who began “tweeting” regularly with Kopic after discovering his site.

High-tech networking may be the best option for bringing low-tech farmers into the modern world of high-yield, high-efficiency production. Broadband service is spreading across Africa and other remote rural regions that lack physical infrastructure or the resources for ag Extension education.

“This is going to make it possible to bring data online and make it easy for farmers to understand their operational data so that they can improve efficiencies,” Damico said in an RFD Radio-FarmWeek interview.

“It’s allowing farmers to create a digital pool of evidence on how to produce food. Imagine having data about your farm at your fingertips while you’re out in the field, and being able to share that data with other farmers — how they’re reducing costs in their dairy production or how they’re getting their items to market quicker.”

Large parts of Africa gained access to international communications bandwidth in 2009

and 2010 via underwater cables, and new landbased fiber optic systems are going online.

Mobile data and third-generation (3G) broadband services are helping extend access beyond major cities.

Kerry Peete, Monsanto senior vice president of global strategy, notes a growing number of Indian farmers are using cell phones. His company’s “Dr. DeKalb” system enables MonsantoDeKalb agronomists to consult with producers by voice or text. Peete sees technology helping “literally millions of Indian growers” pick the best varieties and improve yields.

Kopic, a music and fishing enthusiast, graduated in 2010 from Croatia’s University of Zagreb with a master’s degree in informatics (data technology and use). His vision of one-toone ag networking attracted investors that included 500 Startups, a Silicon Valley Internet business-service incubator.

Kopic’s father is a dairy producer, and the young Croatian initially focused on that sector.

However, he plans other online “modules” for grain and specialty operators, tapping volunteer data from farm systems and technologies to formulate field-portable statistics and reports.

While Damico sees the developing world benefiting through shared information, she believes Kopic’s brainchild also may prove a boon to U.S. farmers looking to boost productivity and reduce costs. Further, Farmeron could help educate consumers, she suggested.

“Illinois Farm Bureau is all about spreading the word to consumers about the work that’s involved on the farm in order to get food to my table,” Damico acknowledged. “This is just one more tool for doing that on a global scale.” — Martin Ross

with a focus on urban-based economic opportunity. Nelson sees a stronger ag economy fostering infrastructure development and thus overall growth in African and other nations.

Deere itself is investing about $100 million in Indian small tractor production and $190 million in Chinese engineequipment manufacturing. It is marketing 36- to 41-horsepower tractors in India at an average $7,000 vs. the $300,000plus cost of a new 296-horsepower tractor in the U.S. As small-acreage growers aim for marketable yields via mechanization, Nelson stresses the need for a domestic “dealer channel” that can provide service, parts, and, in some cases,

financing. “We want to take (Deere’s dealership) model everywhere around the world,” Nelson said.

At the same time, he recognizes world agriculture doesn’t always follow a U.S. model.

Deere conducts customer “focus meetings” in prospective markets in an attempt to determine the scale and horsepower, tillage equipment, and planter configurations required for individual crops.

Deere also must reckon with the regulations and trade policies of various emerging markets. Import tariffs and embargoes, as well as restrictions on foreign-made equipment or parts in some cases determine whether the company ships U.S.-manufactured machinery or opens a new overseas plant.

U.S. officials can help ensure the global flow of equipment and ag market growth between the U.S. and developing countries through trade expansion, Nelson said.

“In a lot of cases, we ship machines that are built right here overseas,” he noted.

Cassava project underlines yield impact on poverty Claude Fauquet heads the Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa project. The project’s goal is to impact 20 million Africans by 2020, the director of the St. Louis-based Danforth Center’s International Laboratory for Tropical Agricultural Biotechnology told FarmWeek.

He notes African growers are plagued by a “cocktail of viruses” that impact cassava yields and quality. Genetic virus resistance is a key focus for a team looking to “multiply current productivity several-fold,” Fauquet said.

Fauquet hopes the first GMO varieties may be available on the continent by 2015. Cassava is a shrubby tropical plant grown mostly for its starchy root.

Improved productivity offers potential benefits for both Africa and U.S. producers, he said. Yields below 10 tons per hectare (roughly 2.5 acres) are barely sustainable, while 15 tons can assure food security, and 20 tons offers a “cash crop” that may enable a country to export — and, ultimately, import — ag goods, he said.

“Right now, the productivity of cassava in Africa is less than 10 tons per hectare,” he related. “Our field trials are showing that we can multiply that maybe fourfold without too many difficulties, with an improved crop.

“The real difficulty is, how do you go from field trials to reaching millions of farmers in Africa, when there is no private sector to do it and there is poor infrastructure? We know these constraints and are beginning to work with them.”

The project recently received nearly $12 million in added funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Monsanto, and the Decatur-based Howard Buffett Foundation.

Regulatory approvals are a major challenge for GMO cassava developers, but Fauquet has seen a positive response to the project among African growers and policymakers.

The Danforth Center’s initial request for cassava field trials was rejected eight years ago. But hunger concerns and the success of GMO corn in South Africa and Bt cotton in West Africa have spurred “mindset changes” toward biotechnology in political circles over the past few years, Fauquet said.

The Danforth Center and its partners will donate modified cassava varieties for African use, but Fauquet stressed each individual country “will have to take it’s own responsibility for its own people.” “If we continue to see the success we’re seeing now, I don’t think it will be very difficult to convince whoever has to make the (approval) decision,” he argued. -– Martin Ross

FarmWeek Page 12 Monday, November 7, 2011

The passage of the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea has been a long standing legislative priority for our organization. With your diligence and persistence, Congress recently passed these three Free Trade Agreements. Your voice ZDV KHDUG LQ :DVKLQJWRQ DQG QHZ PDUNHWV ZLOO EH RSHQHG WKDW ZLOO EHQHĂ€ W IDUPHUV DQG Illinois agriculture.

I’d like to say thank you to those listed below that responded to our recent action request and made calls, wrote emails, and personally told your Congressman and Senators (and reported those contacts to us). It is communication from you, the constituents, to your HOHFWHG RIÀ FLDOV WKDW LV FULWLFDO LQ DFKLHYLQJ VXFFHVV RQ WKLV LVVXH DQG RWKHUV ,W LV LPSRUWDQW WKDW DJULFXOWXUH¡V YRLFH LV KHDUG VR PDNH \RXU YRLFH FRXQW , HQFRXUDJH DOO members to be engaged and respond to our organization’s action requests. Making those contacts is necessary and easy. Visit www.ilfb.org/fbact to see how easy it is or contact your FRXQW\ )DUP %XUHDX WR OHDUQ DERXW RWKHU RSSRUWXQLWLHV WR PDNH \RXU YRLFH KHDUG Sincerely, Philip Nelson, President

John Brady, Adams Linda Bush, Adams Brad Cassens, Adams P. Rick Edwards, Adams Pam Fretwell, Adams Esther Shrader, Adams Tammy Smith, Adams Terry Smith, Adams Mike Sorrill, Adams Rob Tedrow, Adams Diane Cleland, Boone John Cleland, Boone Marshall Newhouse, Boone Jon Boylen, Brown Brian Ingram, Brown Jill Frueh, Bureau William Naffziger, Bureau Brenda Bizaillion, Calhoun Jonathan Davis, Calhoun Robert Reed, Calhoun Robert Snyders, Calhoun Sharon Van Dyne, Calhoun Francis Snider, Carroll Richard Coop, Cass-Morgan Jacob Freeman, Cass-Morgan Jon Freeman, Cass-Morgan Kayla Freeman, Cass-Morgan Sue Freeman, Cass-Morgan Amy Hadden, Cass-Morgan Carolyn Hadden, Cass-Morgan Dale Hadden, Cass-Morgan Robert Hadden, Cass-Morgan Roger Hardy, Cass-Morgan Rick Pettit, Cass-Morgan Kenneth Rahe, Cass-Morgan Richard Rees, Cass-Morgan Judy Savage, Cass-Morgan John Tomhave, Cass-Morgan Sherri Tomhave, Cass-Morgan David Wessel, Cass-Morgan Jeffrey Fisher, Champaign Christopher Hausman, Champaign Cora Kirts, Champaign Duane Strunk, Champaign Nancy Strunk, Champaign Darlene Uken, Champaign Linden Warfel, Champaign Jerry Watson, Champaign Brad Zwilling, Champaign Paula Zwilling, Champaign Brad Daugherty, Clark Steve Hosselton, Clay Kevin Logan, Clay Keri Ulm, Clay Darryl Brinkmann, Clinton Gary Kennedy, Clinton Ray Krausz, Clinton Michael Poettker, Clinton Cliff Schuette, Clinton Mary Jo Varel, Clinton 0LNH 6WDQĂ€ HOG &ROHV James Gutzmer, Cook Patrick Horcher, Cook Janet McCabe, Cook Kim Morton, Cook Ruth Zeldenrust, Cook Bona Heinsohn, DeKalb Steven Larson, DeKalb Greg Millburg, DeKalb Roy Plote, DeKalb Paul Rasmussen, DeKalb Jamie Walter, DeKalb Howard Hedrick, DeWitt Gene Whitted, Dewitt Larry Dallas, Douglas Kara Kinney, Douglas Adam Markwell, Douglas Darrel Thompson, Douglas Jeffrey Young, Douglas Michael Ashby, DuPage Thomas Feltes, DuPage Sam Lilly, DuPage William Pauling, DuPage

Jack Young, DuPage Ray Young, Edgar Jason Balding, Edwards Kenneth Clodfelter, Edwards Mike Dean, Edwards Carson Everett, Edwards Neil Fearn, Edwards Jim Heindselman, Edwards Tom Marks, Edwards Bryan Roosevelt, Edwards James Walker, Edwards .HYLQ 0LOOHU (IĂ€ QJKDP -XOLH 6WHSKHQV (IĂ€ QJKDP &DURO\Q :LOOHQEXUJ (IĂ€ QJKDP :D\QH :LOOHQEXUJ (IĂ€ QJKDP Ken Cripe, Fayette David Haase, Ford-Iroquois William Kelch, Ford-Iroquois Leon Malone, Ford-Iroquois Randy Poskin, Ford-Iroquois Fredrick Berner, Franklin Kenneth Bolen, Franklin Donald Manis, Franklin Leon McClerren, Franklin J Larry Miller, Franklin James Odom, Franklin Ralph Smith, Franklin Jay Webb, Franklin Randy Farr, Fulton Tony Kelsey, Fulton Melissa Drone, Gallatin Hugh David Scates, Gallatin Steven Albrecht, Greene Michael Davis, Greene Joseph Kinser, Greene Michael Painter, Greene Chad Schutz, Greene Stacy Schutz, Greene Cash Biros, Grundy Tasha Bunting, Grundy Michael Carey, Grundy Scott Halpin, Grundy Robert Johnson, Grundy Steve Kodat, Grundy Phil McArdle, Grundy J.C. Pool, Hamilton Sara Brockman, Hancock Michael Carlisle, Hancock W. Cary Gray, Hancock Michael Hamman, Hancock Ted Knorr, Hancock Rod McGaughey, Hancock Terry Pope, Hancock Joseph Scheetz, Hancock Bryan Stevens, Hancock Joseph Zumwalt, Hancock Sam Zumwalt, Hancock Dwayne Anderson, Henry Wayne Anderson, Henry Katie Boruff, Henry June Carlson, Henry Joshua Curry, Henry James Larson, Henry Karen Lyman, Henry Steve Owens, Henry Ellie Stackhouse, Henry Lawrence Dietz, Jackson Terry Rosenberger, Jackson Michael Evans, Jasper Jeff Ochs, Jasper Joyce Ochs, Jasper Richard Ochs, Jasper Nicole Probst, Jasper Mary Jane Corners, Jefferson Rick Corners, Jefferson John Kiefer, Jefferson Robert Kiefer, Jefferson Hugh Moore, Jersey June Moore, Jersey Tom Moore, Jersey Kim Murray, Jersey Kenneth Schafer, Jersey Daniel Schetter, Jersey

Ron Lawfer, JoDaviess David Allbritten, Johnson Robert Gehrke, Kane Louise Johnson, Kane Michael Kenyon, Kane Alan Volpp, Kane Charles Grotevant, Kankakee Dennis Johnson, Kankakee Paula Karlock, Kankakee Patrick Koerner, Kankakee Chad Miller, Kankakee Keith Mussman, Kankakee Mark Tanner, Kankakee Dan Reedy, Kendall James Desutter, Knox Lori Engel, Knox Theodore Mottaz, Knox David Serven, Knox Glenn Stevens, Knox Monica Stevens, Knox Krista Swanson, Knox Kenneth Beck, LaSalle David Myer, LaSalle Stephen Riskedal, LaSalle Brad Temple, LaSalle Monty Whipple, LaSalle Dennis Green, Lawrence Danelle DeSmith, Lee Don Meyer, Lee C. Edwin Morris, Lee Ronald Schoenholz, Lee James Sheaffer, Lee Steven Sheaffer, Lee Marilyn Shippert, Lee Eleanor Zimmerlein, Lee Jason Bunting, Livingston Rosella Duffy, Livingston Julie Fosdick, Livingston Teresa Grant-Quick, Livingston Dennis Haab, Livingston James Harms, Livingston Donald Immke, Livingston Roger Wahls, Livingston Larry Gleason, Logan David Carr, Macon Steven McCoy, Macon Mathew Muirheid, Macon Melissa Muirheid, Macon Emmett Sefton, Macon Tim Stock, Macon Richard Vissering, Macon Mark Dugger, Macoupin Edward Marburger, Macoupin Frank Dorris, Madison Glenn Gindler, Madison David Grotefendt, Madison Eugene Gvillo, Madison Ross Hemann, Madison Russell Henke, Madison Kenneth Wieseman, Madison Evelyn Bartley, Marion Steven Brummel, Marion Paul Chitwood, Marion Edward Gerstenecker, Marion Charles Holz, Marshall-Putnam Kenneth McKee, Marshall-Putnam Ronald Armbrust, Mason Michael Behrends, Mason Luellen Betzelberger, Mason Zachary Charlton, Mason Randy Fornoff, Mason Noreen Frye, Mason Dee Dee Gellerman, Mason-Menard Douglas Gellerman, Mason Albert Hoesman, Mason Louis Moehring, Mason Dean Pfeiffer, Mason Adam Shissler, Mason Jeffrey Smith, Mason Braden Thomas, Mason DeAnna Thomas, Mason John Wallbaum, Mason Eric White, Mason

Rollo Burnett, Massac Tammie Obermark, Massac Brandon Phillips, Massac Debra Travis, Massac Jeffrey Weber, Massac Jeffrey Butler, McDonough Grant Curtis, McDonough Mellisa Herwig, McDonough Larry Hopkins, McDonough Mark Peterson, McDonough Mark Wolford, McDonough Sue Henning, McHenry Linnea Kooistra, McHenry Dan Volkers, McHenry Mark Hines, McLean R Scott Hoeft, McLean David Meiss, McLean Terry Entwistle, Menard Larry Evers, Menard Gary Jurgens, Menard Dennis Kunken, Menard David Leischner, Menard William Montgomery, Menard Harry Schirding, Menard Mark Stewart, Menard Kyle Winkelmann, Menard Kendra Bolen, Mercer John Longley, Mercer George Obernagel, Monroe Mark Seboldt, Monroe Brian Niemann, Montgomery Andy Bolsen, Moultrie Steve Bonnett, Moultrie Donald Bryant, Moultrie Randall Bulthaus, Ogle Donald Cappel, Ogle Charles Cawley, Ogle Patricia Cawley, Ogle Barbara Detig, Ogle John Deuth, Ogle Brian Duncan, Ogle Stanley Eden, Ogle Roger Hickey, Ogle MaryEllen Strode, Peoria John Smith, Perry Gary Timpner, Perry Gerald Zmudzinski, Perry Emily Bakken, Piatt Frederick Bradshaw, Pike Kim Curry, Pike David Gay, Pike Bryan Koeller, Pike Ronald Myers, Pike Blake Roderick, Pike Jeremy Thomas, Pike James Van Dyne, Pike Robert Spaulding, Pulaski-Alexander Kenneth Taake, Pulaski-Alexander Kenton Thomas, Pulaski-Alexander Richard Guebert, Randolph Michael Kuhn, Randolph Jack McCormick, Randolph DeAnne Bloomberg, Rock Island Thomas Mueller, Rock Island Dennis Vandaele, Rock Island Janette Anderson, Saline Randall Anderson, Saline Joe Bramlet, Saline Glendel DeNeal, Saline Samuel DeNeal, Saline James Haney, Saline Jody Hughes, Saline James Patterson, Saline Pat Patterson, Saline Richard Rister, Saline Grace Tison, Saline Lowell Tison, Saline Meriam Tison, Saline Hazel Tucker, Saline Diana Beaty, Sangamon Larry Beaty, Sangamon Lee Benanti, Sangamon James Birge, Sangamon Daniel Boston, Sangamon Lynn Chard, Sangamon Jim Cimarossa, Sangamon Kevin Coultas, Sangamon Steven Dudley, Sangamon Allen Entwistle, Sangamon Andrew Goleman, Sangamon Craig Hall, Sangamon

Cynthia Kinner, Sangamon James Kinner, Sangamon Michael Kinner, Sangamon Rodney Koonce, Sangamon Toni Krone, Sangamon Garry Niemeyer, Sangamon Richard Ramsey, Sangamon David Ray, Sangamon Mark Reichert, Sangamon Paul Rice, Sangamon Edward Seifert, Sangamon Roxy Seifert, Sangamon Timothy Seifert, Sangamon Donnie Thornton, Sangamon Ryan Esther, Schuyler Chad Kelly, Schuyler Haley Kelly, Schuyler Kent Prather, Schuyler Kelly Westlake, Schuyler Harold Brown, Scott Jeff Schone, Scott Andrew Sellars, Scott Michael Swisher, Scott Dwane Hartman, Shelby Amy Rochkes, Shelby Deanna Uphoff, Shelby Tony Uphoff, Shelby Troy Uphoff, Shelby David Hankammer, St. Clair Jake Anderson, Stark Jamie Schaffer, Stark Kathy Brenner, Stephenson Bruce Johnson, Stephenson Paul Schmidgall, Tazewell Charles Braden, Union R. Edwin Eddleman, Union Sharon Hall, Union Dale Moreland, Union Lucille Rich, Union Jay Hageman, Vermilion Michael Marron, Vermilion David Sadler, Vermilion Donald Adkisson, Warren-Henderson Kay Adkisson, Warren-Henderson Lawrence Anderson, Warren-Henderson Tammy Brokaw, Warren-Henderson Sue Campbell, Warren-Henderson John Eisenmayer, Warren-Henderson Adam Martin, Warren-Henderson Deborah Moore, Warren-Henderson Paul Rickey, Warren-Henderson Amy Thompson, Warren-Henderson Kathryn Willis, Warren-Henderson Michael Chwasczinski, Washington Gale Koelling, Washington Patrice Koelling, Washington Steve Launius, Washington Douglas Zacheis, Washington Fred Blessing, Wayne Frank Buchanan, Wayne Steven Courtright, Wayne Larry Reed, Wayne James Rush, Wayne Janet Baumgart, White Robert Baumgart, White Larry Beck, White Richard Curd, White Donald Duvall, White Richard Gates, White Kevin McArthy, White Gerald Davidson, Will W. Lee Deutsche, Will Mary Ann Deutsche-Gearhart, Will Glenn Ginder, Will Thomas Nugent, Will David Taylor, Will James Anderson, Williamson Duane Wittenborn, Williamson Brent Pollard, Winnebago Carrie Pollard, Winnebago Earl Williams, Winnebago Sean Arians, Woodford Wayne Blunier, Woodford Daryl Hodel, Woodford Janet Hodel, Woodford Kent Hodel, Woodford Jolene Neuhauser, Woodford Dennis Pfanz, Woodford Dale Wyss, Woodford Loren Zimmerman, Woodford

Page 13 Monday, November 7, 2011 FarmWeek

from the counties

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UREAU — A defensive driving course will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday and Friday, Nov. 1718, at the Black Hawk College Community Education Center, Kewanee. Those 55 and older who are current auto policy holders may attend.

Those who complete the course are eligible for a discount on their auto insurance.

Call the Farm Bureau office at 815-875-6468 for reservations or more information.

• The fall equine seminar series is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays in November at the Black Hawk East (BHE) Arena. Ellen Phillips will discuss pasture management and Dennis French, veterinarian, will speak on “Managing Disasters, the Inside Story” this Thursday. Harmony Horsemanship will demonstrate Equi-soccer on Nov. 17. Sessions are free for 4-H and FFA members and BHE students. Cost for the public is $5 per session. Call the Farm Bureau office at 815-875-6468 to register or for more information.

• A college open house day for agriculture will be Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Marshall-Putnam County Farm Bureau office, Henry.

Two sessions are available: from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 to 2 p.m. All sophomore, junior, and senior students from Bureau, Marshall, Putnam, Stark, and Woodford counties who are interested in an agricultural career may attend.

• Wellness screenings will be from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 18, at the Farm Bureau office. Members may receive four tests for $100, a savings of $35. Call 877-7328258 for an appointment.

ULTON — The Women’s Committee will sponsor a “Design on a Pine” workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Farm Bureau office. Julia Pryor, University of Illinois Extension program coordinator and Master Gardener, will present the program. Cost is $5. Bring an artificial wreath or garland or your own plant material and decorative items to use or share. Call the Farm Bureau office at 309-547-3011 for reservations or more information.

• Farm Bureau, Spoon River College, University of Illinois Extension, and John Wood Community College will sponsor a four-part locally grown workshop series. Each session will begin at 6:30 p.m. and be held at Spoon River College Campus. The topics and dates are: Local Food

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Production: What Does that Mean?, Tuesday, Nov. 29; Growing Options, Tuesday, Jan. 17; Rules and Regulations, Monday, March 12; and Getting Down and Dirty, Tuesday, May 22. Cost is $10 per session or four sessions for $30.

Deadline to register is Tuesday, Nov. 22. Call Spoon River College at 309-649-6264 for reservations and 649-6213 for more information.

ENRY — County Farm Bureaus, U of I Extension, and Black Hawk East (BHE) College will sponsor a fall equine seminar series, continuing this Thursday and Thursday, Nov. 17.

Sessions will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the BHE Ag Arena. There is no charge for 4H and FFA members and BHE students. Cost for public is $5 for each session. Call the Farm Bureau office to register for the sessions.

• Henry, Bureau, and Stark County Farm Bureaus will sponsor a defensive driving course from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday and Friday, Nov. 1718, at Black Hawk College Community Education Center, Kewanee. Cost is $30, which includes materials and lunch both days. Both days must be attended to receive certification. Call the Farm Bureau office at 309-937-2411 for reservations or more information.

• “Bushels for Hunger” continues through Nov. 30 at participating grain elevators in Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark, and Whiteside counties.

All proceeds from the grain donated will be contributed to the River Bend Foodbank.

Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information.

ASALLE — Amish country cheese and Florida fruit may be ordered from the Farm Bureau. Stop by the office or download an order form from {www.lasallecfb.org}.

• The annual meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Pitstick’s Pavilion. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Farm Bureau office or from a member of the board of directors.

EE — Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside County Farm Bureaus, along with Sauk Valley Bank, will sponsor a harvest crop marketing workshop at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the Comfort Inn, Dixon. Steve Johnson, Iowa State University Extension farm management specialist, will be the speaker. Call the Farm Bureau office at 815857-3531 by Monday, Nov. 14, for reservations or more information.

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CDONOUGH — Farm Bureau, Haley Risk Protection and Agronomy Services, Heartland Insurance Agency, and 1st Farm Credit Services will sponsor a marketing seminar “Crop Market Outlook, Strategies and Tools” at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at the SRC Community Outreach Center, Macomb. Lunch will be served. There is no charge for members, but there is a $10 charge for non-members. Call the Farm Bureau office at 309837-3350 by Thursday, Nov. 17, for reservations or more information.

ONTGOMERY — The annual meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Taylor Springs. Dinner will be served. Cost is $2.

Call the Farm Bureau office at 217-532-6171 for reservations or more information.

• The Prime Timers monthly luncheon and meeting will be at noon Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Lion’s Club, Hillsboro. A turkey dinner will be served. Cost is $8. An “Antiques Road Show” with auctioneers Dan Matthews

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and Gavin Pope will follow the lunch. They will appraise small items. Call the Farm Bureau office at 217-532-6171

by Thursday for reservations or more information.

EORIA — The annual meeting will be a 5 p.m.

Saturday at the Dunlap High School. Jay Hendren, an Ohio comedian, will provide the entertainment. Cost is $20.

Call the Farm Bureau office for more information.

• Florida citrus and Terri Lynn nut orders are due by Monday, Nov. 21. Members may order oranges, grapefruit, and tangelos in 20- or 40pound containers. Nuts are available in one-pound bags.

Delivery to the Farm Bureau office will be Wednesday, Dec. 14. Call the Farm Bureau office or go to the website for an order form or more information.

IKE — Farm Bureau and Twin Rivers Country Financial will sponsor an estate and retirement planning and long-term care seminar at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Farm Bureau office. Dinner will be served. Call 2854427 or 285-2233 for reserva-

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tions or more information.

COTT — Farm Bureau and Twin Rivers Country Financial will sponsor an estate and retirement planning and long-term care seminar at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Pike County Farm Bureau office, Pittsfield. Dinner will be served. Call 742-3182 or 742-3351 for reservations or more information.

ERMILION — Florida citrus, nuts, snacks, and cheese from Ludwig Farmstead Creamery orders and payment are due by Wednesday, Nov. 23, to the Farm Bureau office. Delivery to the Farm Bureau office will be Wednesday, Nov. 23. Call the Farm Bureau office at 217442-8713 for more information or download an order from from the website {www.vcfb.info}.

•The Vermilion County Farm Bureau Foundation will sponsor its annual silent auction during the annual meeting Nov. 29. Items have included sports memorabilia, food, and savings bonds. If you have an item to donate for the auction, call the Farm Bureau office at 217-442-8713.

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FarmWeek Page 14 Monday, November 7, 2011

profitability

China not the cause of higher U.S. corn prices

BY KEL KELLY

It’s argued that Chinese corn purchases, based on China’s domestic growth, are the cause of rising U.S. corn prices. I would like to offer reasons why that argument is unrealistic.

First, prices of all commodities — along with stocks, bonds, metals, oil, and all other assets traded on financial exchanges — are being driven by an increase in the quantity of money circulating on those exchanges. Corn prices have risen (and fallen, even as Chinese purchases were increasing) in parallel with these other markets.

Second, China doesn’t need

corn. Its per capita production is rising each year, adequately meeting domestic consumption; its imports are in excess of its consumption. It was a net exporter of corn until 2009.

China’s domestic consumption has increased an annual average of 3.8 percent over the last decade (vs. our 3.3 percent) compared to an annual average of 12.6 percent increase in corn prices. The Chinese don’t suddenly need 12 percent more food — they simply have more money in their pockets to spend on food.

Third, 15.2 percent of U.S. corn production is exported,

and that percentage has fallen, not risen. China buys just 2.4 percent of U.S. corn exports (.004 of a percent of total production).

Japan buys 29.6 percent, and the top six purchasers above China buy 74 percent of corn Kel Kelly exports. China is a small importer. While there is a 70 percent correlation between the direction of U.S. corn exports and U.S. corn prices, there is no correlation between China’s share of U.S. exports and the price

of corn in the U.S. Fourth, mathematically speaking, for China’s corn purchases over the relevant period of 2006-2011 to raise the price of corn from $2.40 in 2006 to even $4 (less than today’s price), China would have to had spent $24 billion; instead, it spent only 3.1 percent of that amount.

Fifth, people confuse monetary and real demand. Real demand consists of exchanging what one has produced for what one desires to purchase with that production. Thus, real demand is created by supply.

Increased supply makes prices fall, not rise. Prices rise

while supply increases only when more money is spent (i.e., monetary demand) to purchase that increased supply.

Corn prices — and all prices — are rising due to increased money supply; institutional investors borrow newly created money and purchase commodities for investment purposes, thus bidding up prices to compete with other buyers, including the Chinese (and ethanol producers), who must purchase dollars for U.S. corn purchases.

Kel Kelly is GROWMARK’s manager of economic and market research. His e-mail address is kkelly@growmark.com.

Fall fertilizer applications slowed by warm temperatures

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

The warm, dry conditions in October and the first two days this month that were nearly ideal for harvest were less favorable for fall fertilizer applications.

Joe Dillier, director of plant food at GROWMARK, last week reported fall fertilizer applications so far this season are off from last year.

“We are behind last year’s pace,” Dillier told FarmWeek. “But it’s not a concern at this point. We want to be good stewards” and

‘We’ve got a lot of anhydrous sold for the fall, so we’ve got a lot in front of us to move.’

— Joe Dillier GROWMARK director of plant food

await cooler soil temperatures.

The statewide average temperature last month was 55.1 degrees, a half-degree above average, according to Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey.

The University of Illinois

M A R K E T FA C T S Feeder pig prices reported to USDA* Weight 10 lbs.

40 lbs.

50 lbs.

Receipts

Range Per Head Weighted Ave. Price $31.51-$51.54 $39.22 $47.00-$50.00 $48.89 n/a n/a This Week Last Week 24,466 17,602 *Eastern Corn Belt prices picked up at seller’s farm

Eastern Corn Belt direct hogs (plant delivered) Carcass Live

(Prices $ per hundredweight) This week Prev. week $86.54 $87.11 $64.04 $64.46

Change -0.57 -0.42

USDA five-state area slaughter cattle price Steers Heifers

(Thursday’s price) Prev. week This week 122.00 120.36 124.00 120.34

Change 1.64 3.66

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 140.10 1.57

This week $141.67

Lamb prices n/a

Export inspections (Million bushels) Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 10-27-11 48.5 20.8 27.7 10-20-11 43.9 17.5 29.7 Last year 73.4 17.7 30.8 Season total 207.0 462.0 222.4 Previous season total 330.5 472.5 290.2 USDA projected total 1375 975 1600 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.

recommends farmers wait until the soil temperature drops to at least 50 degrees before applying anhydrous ammonia.

“We’ve got a lot of anhydrous sold for the fall, so we’ve got a lot in front of us to move,” Dillier said. “But it’s early enough (to catch up on applications). In two weeks we can move a lot of stuff.”

Dillier reported fertilizer demand this fall is similar to last year’s record pace in Illinois.

Some analysts predicted U.S. and Illinois farmers next year could plant more corn due to price incentives, despite widespread reports of yield drag on corn-oncorn and continuous corn acres.

“It should be a big fall (for fertilizer applications),” Dillier said. “Everything we’re seeing in terms of demand is consistent with a lot of corn acreage being planted in the spring of 2012.”

The strong demand for nitrogen and high commodity prices likely will keep pressure on fertilizer prices.

The average statewide price for urea the last two weeks of October ($624 per ton) increased $21.17 per ton. The average potash price ($644) was up $1.46, and the average price for diammonium phosphate ($708) posted a slight increase, according to the latest Illinois production cost report issued by the Depart-

ment of Agriculture.

“As long as the grain market stays strong, I think there

will be a lot of demand for fertilizer, which will help support prices,” Dillier said.

“At this point, nothing suggests prices will come down a lot between now and spring.”

Anhydrous ammonia prices in Illinois as of Oct. 27 ranged from $820 to $900 per ton, which was $2 off the average of about $850 from the first half of October.

Milk price pulls back in October The Class III price for milk adjusted to 3.5 percent butterfat for the month of October was $18.03 per hundredweight, $1.04 lower than the previous month.

It also marks more than a $3.60 drop in the past two months.

Dairy cows have done an excellent job bouncing back from the summer heat, and are producing well on this year’s newly harvested silage and corn. As a result, higher milk production is pressuring prices.

Page 15 Monday, November 7, 2011 FarmWeek

PROFITABILITY Corn Strategy

C AS H ST RAT E GI S T

Cents per bu.

ü2011 crop: Leave an order to sell another 10 percent if December reaches $6.70.

Hedge-to-arrive (HTA) sales for late winter/spring delivery are still the best tool for sales of farm-stored grain. Changing spread relationships may have diminished returns for commercial storage. If so, plan sales around tax considerations. ü2012 crop: Use rallies to $6.15 on December 2012 futures for catch-up sales. We may add another increment at that level. Check the Hotline frequently. vFundamentals: Doubts about the crop size support the market, even as the situation in Europe and the impact it is having on the dollar keeps a lid on prices. The USDA report Wednesday will give the trade a clear picture of supply.

But just as important may be the demand side of the equation. China is talking with Argentina to supply some of its corn needs. The Ukraine is still undercutting our prices.

And feed wheat continues to sell at a huge discount to corn in the world.

Soybean Strategy

Price cycles provide road map Even though price cycles are variable and sometimes fraught with changing counts and patterns, they still offer clues as to how the future may unfold. The long-term cycles, shown here, have a 10 percent “window of opportunity,” i.e. their lows can be 10 percent, or slightly more, early or late.

On the 5-year corn cycle, that’s as much as six months.

And sometimes the cycles

can “invert,” put in a top when they should be putting in a bottom. The CRB Index is especially interesting in that the last two tops fit better with the timing of highs than any of the lows. And corn prices were at a high point this past summer when they should have been putting in a mid-cycle low. The influx of trading money in the last five years may have caused some cycle distortions.

But the dollar has been relatively consistent in recent years.

And both the 3-year cycle and trading pattern tend to point higher over the next few months and that should be somewhat negative to commodity prices.

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ü2011 crop: European financial uncertainty continues to support the dollar, dragging soybean prices lower. Still, we prefer to be patient with making catch-up sales or adding to them. Use a move to $12.80 on January futures for catchup sales, and one to $12.95 to sell another 10 percent. A HTA for winter/spring delivery may pay if you store soybeans on the farm. Commercial storage is a closer call. ü2012 crop: Wait for a rally to $12.50 on November 2012 futures for catch-up sales. We may add to them at that level; check the Hotline. vFundamentals: Soybean export sales continue to remain slow, but we are starting to hear reports of Chinese business. South American supplies should be sold out.

But if U.S. sales don’t begin to accelerate soon, more burden will be put on the need for a South American crop problem to rally prices. Planting is off to a good start with Brazil

58 percent complete and Argentina 12 percent complete.

Wheat Strategy

ü2011 crop: The trend in wheat remains choppy due to financial market influences.

Make catch-up sales if Chicago December futures trade near $6.50. We may sell another 20 percent if December rebounds near $6.70; check the Hotline daily. The carry in futures still pays for commercial storage, making a HTA contract for winter or spring delivery the best tool. ü2012 crop: Plan on making an initial 20 percent sale if

Chicago July 2012 trades near $7.35. vFundamentals: Once again, the forex and financial markets continue to dominate the trade’s attention. The fate of the European plan to resolve debt and banking problems is still uncertain, making forex and financial markets very volatile. Wheat fundamentals have not changed; the trade continues to battle strong export competition. Our weekly sales are still lackluster. Meanwhile, modest rain/snow continues to slowly improve conditions in the Great Plains.

FarmWeek Page 16 Monday, November 7, 2011

pERspEcTIvEs

No United States of Europe creates problems The biggest threat to our economy these days comes from Europe. The Greek government borrowed a lot of money that it cannot repay. If Greece defaults, the resulting financial crisis could plunge the world back into recession.

One of the reasons for the crisis is that Europe is caught in between. European countries aren’t indeLARRY pendent. But there is DEBOER no “United States of Europe.”

There is a United States of America, so let’s make a comparison.

Suppose Indiana had made the same bad choices as Greece. Suppose the state ran huge budget deficits and borrowed a great deal of money for no productive purpose. Then one day lenders realize that Indiana can’t repay, and they stop renewing its loans.

Very quickly Indiana would stop running a deficit. It would cut spending and lay off workers. It would raise taxes. This would create hardships for taxpayers, public employees, and business people who sell products and services to the government.

But Social Security payments would continue. So would Medicare, Medicaid, and federal welfare. Our federal safety net would be untouched. This would support our economy and ease our hardships.

There is no European safety net for the people of Greece. Greek pensions and medical care are funded by the Greek government’s budget. The budget-balancing threatens people’s health care and income security. No wonder there are demonstrations and riots.

Suppose Indiana’s economy

dropped into recession while the rest of the country was doing fine. Unemployed people in Indiana could leave the state in search of jobs. Unemployment in Indiana would drop, reducing the economic hardships on migrants and remaining residents.

For the most part, the European Union allows free labor movement among its member countries. Unemployed Greeks can migrate to Germany in search of work.

But Greeks speak Greek and Germans speak German. The language barrier is one reason that labor mobility in Europe is not what it is in the United States. This is one reason that unemployment in Greece stays high.

Now suppose that Greece was an independent country with its own currency, the drachma. The economic crisis would cause the exchange rate of the drachma to fall, so each dollar would buy more drachmas. This would reduce the cost of visiting Greece. Tourism would boom.

But Greece uses the European euro. So does Germany. Germany is one of the world’s biggest exporters.

To buy German exports, nations must exchange their own currencies for euros. This keeps the demand for the euro high, so its value stays high.

The economic troubles of little Greece don’t have much effect on the euro’s value. There is no tourism boom in Greece because Germany doesn’t need a low-valued euro to sell its exports.

An independent Greece could use monetary policy to stimulate its economy. The Greek central bank could increase the supply of drachmas, reduce interest rates, and encourage borrowing and spending. This would help the economy recover.

Keeping the euro propped up

There is no Greek monetary policy because there is no drachma. The European Central Bank sets monetary policy for Europe, based on the needs of the entire continent.

Greece may be in recession, but Germany isn’t, and Germany is a much bigger economy. The bank doesn’t expand the money supply to match the needs of Greece.

Further, had Greece been independent, lenders would have considered the possibility of drachma exchange devaluation or monetary inflation. Both risks would have discouraged lending to Greece. Lenders wouldn’t want to be earning interest in drachma if the currency’s value could fall.

The scale of the Greek crisis might have been smaller. But Greece has the euro, and lenders knew that Ger many wouldn’t allow

much devaluation or inflation.

The European financial crisis is partly the result of the in between economic integration of Europe. It’s not a United States of Europe. There is no continentwide safety net, and cultural barriers inhibit labor mobility. Its members aren’t independent countries, either. They don’t have their own currencies so they can’t adopt independent exchange or monetary policies.

Europe will have to come up with a plan to prevent a more severe crisis.

That may be a step toward more European integration. If the plan breaks down, though, the alternative might be European dis-integration.

Larry DeBoer is a professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. His e-mail address is ldeboer@purdue.edu.

It’s time farmers opened doors to consumers As a Roseville farmwife, mother of three grown boys, and a Cook County native, I will be communicating on an ongoing basis with 10 Chicago-area mothers. These women, who are part of the “field moms” DEB MOORE program, have questions about how their food is produced.

They will have a chance to meet with farmers, tour farms, and have their questions answered by the people who are responsible for growing their food. They will then be sharing their experience through social media.

The agriculture community needs to be concerned with what consumers are thinking and seeing about agriculture. They’re the people for whom we’re growing food, and we

LETTER­­TO­THE­EDITOR

Agriculture is science Editor: I just read the letter from Billy Fairless concerning agriculture teachers teaching science class. I had to write because he seems to be missing a key point.

Agriculture is science. We can-

not farm without science. We cannot teach agriculture without science. My concern with the issue is, do we have enough agriculture teachers to meet the growing demand for people educated in agriculture?

DAVID B. RAHE, Hillsboro

need to be listening to them.

Illinois Farm Families (IFF) is connecting consumers with farmers.

IFF coordinates events that bring the field moms out to farms so they can share what they have learned with consumers through video clips, photo albums, blog posts, and other media.

To begin with, farm moms have been relating to these young moms.

They are powerful consumers when it comes to food choices. They are the ones who are making decisions on what to buy at the grocery store.

They also are the ones who are preparing the meals for their families.

It is important that farmers open up their doors to have these conversations with consumers. Research tells us that most consumers feel as though farmers are hardworking, honest, and trustworthy.

But while they trust us, more than half don’t believe we will do the right thing when it comes to specifics such as using fewer chemicals, treating our animals properly,

and protecting the environment.

These concerns leave consumers looking for answers.

Unfortunately, farmers have been absent from the conversation.

Rather than talking with us, consumers have been getting their information from talk shows, websites, the media, and, of course, other moms. Everyone except us, the people who grow and raise their food.

Farmers are great at speaking up for agriculture to other farmers, ag media, and politicians. Now it is time to speak directly to consumers, our customers, and answer their questions.

They are willing to listen. It is time to set the story straight about what is actually taking place on our farms. It is time for everyone to get involved on some level to let consumers know what we do on the farm and how we raise their food.

Deb Moore is this year’s hostess of the Illinois Farm Families field moms program.