August 2009 by Sarah Grant

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. Postage Paid Macomb, IL 61455 Permit #455

“An agricultural grassroots organization- devoted to ensuring the quality of life for our county Farm Bureau members- today and tomorrow.” August 2009

http://mcdonough.countyfarmbureau.org

Vol. 3 No. 8

Local Government Nationwide, Food Prices Trending Down Conference Farm Bureau® members have the opportunity to learn more about how local government impacts you. Fulton County Farm Bureau® in cooperation with Knox, McDonough, and Warren-Henderson County Farm Bureaus and the Illinois Farm Bureau® is sponsoring a conference to address current local government issues. The three-hour Local Government Conference will be held on Wednesday, August 26th at 1:00 p.m., in McDonough County at the Vineyard Community Church in Macomb. It will be preceded by a complimentary lunch beginning at 12:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for you to learn the latest, share your thoughts and ask questions. Attendees will be provided an overview of statewide issues affecting local government— including new legislation—plus a focus on three other major topics: Local Road Funding: Illinois’ counties, townships and road districts maintain over 85% of the rural public highway miles in the state. This session will review the various funding sources for those local road systems and how today’s economy is affecting them. We’ll also consider the new State and Federal infrastructure packages and what that could mean for local systems. Finally, we’ll review specifics of your local jurisdictions. Rural Development: “Rural development and agriculture’s role in it, is evolving such that now, farming is more dependent on rural communities than rural communities are dependent on farming.” This session will focus on the opportunities to strengthen rural communities through an understanding of programs promoting economic development strategies. We’ll consider the importance of stimulating rural jobs and economic growth to sustain rural communities and surrounding farms and indentify opportunities for Farm Bureau to enhance their rural development efforts and partner with similar interest groups around the state. One other topic of particular interest for our area will be included. County Farm Bureaus are arranging for that topic/speaker at press time. Speakers include Illinois Farm Bureau specialists and local government officials that deal with these topics day-to-day. There is no charge for attendance, but advance registration is required. For registration information please contact the McDonough County Farm Bureau office by Friday, August 21st by calling 309-837-3350 or emailing mcdfb@logonix.net

August 13- Public Hearing, Peoria to Macomb, 4-7 p.m.; Macomb August 24- Regional Farm Talk with President Phillip Nelson, Macomb VFW August 26- Local Affairs Conference; 12:30; Vineyard Community Church, Macomb

Retail food prices at the supermarket decreased slightly for the third consecutive quarter, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare a meal was $46.29, down about 2 percent or $1.12 from the first quarter of 2009. Of the 16 items surveyed, 10 decreased, five increased and one remained the same in average price compared to the prior quarter. Russet potatoes, boneless chicken breasts, eggs, sliced deli ham and whole milk declined the most in price and together account for most of the decrease in average price of the overall marketbasket. Russet potatoes dropped 29 cents to $2.76 for a 5-pound bag; chicken breasts dropped 28 cents to $3.10 per pound; eggs decreased 16 cents to $1.34 per dozen; sliced deli ham and whole milk dropped 14 cents to $4.80 per pound and $3.01 per gallon, respectively. Other items that decreased in price were: ground chuck, down 12 cents to $2.82 per pound; sirloin tip roast, down 11

Welcome New Members The McDonough County Farm Bureau® would like to welcome the following to our organization for the month of June. Ryan Richards Christina Barrows Jack Duncan Keith Eash Robert Livingston Gordon Roskamp Chad Long Kristen Browning Kevin Malone

August 29- Ag in the Classroom Golf Outing, 8 a.m. Tee time; Gold Hills Golf Course For more agriculture related dates, visit our website http://mcdonough.countyfarmbureau.org

cents to $3.88 per pound; flour, down 9 cents to $2.42 for a 5-pound bag; bacon, down 7 cents to $3.19 per pound; and toasted oat cereal, down 5 cents to $2.86 for a 9-oz. box. “The quarter-to-quarter price decline reported by our volunteer shoppers indicates that consumers are seeing some relief at the grocery store. Even more significant is that average retail prices for eggs, milk, chicken breasts and bacon for the second quarter of 2009 are significantly lower than one year ago,” said AFBF Economist Jim Sartwelle. Overall, the average price for the marketbasket of foods declined $3.10 or about 6 percent over a year’s time. Retail egg prices dropped 26 percent, milk decreased 22 percent, chicken declined 19 percent and bacon was 11 percent lower compared to a year ago. “The foods that declined the most in retail price are among the leastprocessed items in our marketbasket. When wholesale prices paid to producers for minimally processed foods such as

these decrease drastically, as has been the case over the past few months, consumers typically benefit fairly quickly from retail price reductions in the grocer’s case,” Sartwelle said. Several items went up slightly in price compared to the prior quarter: bagged salad, up 13 cents to $2.75 for a 1-pound bag; shredded cheddar cheese, up 7 cents to $4.31 for one pound; apples, up 6 cents to $1.41 per pound; vegetable oil, up 6 cents to $2.85 for a 32-oz. bottle; and orange juice, up 2 cents to $3.02 for a half-gallon. A 20-oz. loaf of white bread remained the same in price, $1.77. AFBF’s second quarter marketbasket survey

tracks closely with the federal government’s May 2009 Consumer Price Index report for all food, which showed a slight decline (-0.2 percent) for the fourth consecutive month. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped. “Starting in the mid1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. That figure has decreased

See Food Prices Continued on page 6

Farm talk meetings The Illinois Farm Bureau has scheduled regional farm talk meetings this summer. Please mark your calendars to attend the meeting in Macomb on Monday, August 24th at 11 a.m. at the VFW Hall, 1200 East Jackson. Illinois Farm Bureau President, Phillip Nelson will offer updates on major issues and IFB’s activities to address these issues. This is also a great opportunity to hear what’s on your mind! Please call Sarah at the Farm Bureau office for more information, 309-837-3350.

Page 2 • MCDFB • August 2009 McDonough County Farm Bureau® Harvester is published monthly by the McDonough County Farm Bureau®, 440 N. Lafayette St., Suite 105, Macomb, IL 61455. Non-Profit Org. Postage Paid at Macomb, IL. Farm Bureau Officers and Directors Jeffrey Butler………….……....President Colby Hunt....………………....Vice President Mark Wolford..…......………....Secretary Todd Dixon ………………...…Treasurer Farm Bureau Office Personnel Sarah Grant…...........…….Manager Beverly Drake……………Administrative Assistant Jan Armstrong....................Secretary Whitney Homer... Ag in the Classroom Coordinator Country Insurance and Financial Services Tony Laesch…………………...Agency Manager West Central FS Barry Schmidt…………………Manager Office Phone: 309-837-3350 Fax: 309-836-3212 Email: mcdfb@logonix.net http://mcdonough.countyfarmbureau.org Please send address changes to McDonough County Farm Bureau® 440 N. Lafayette St., Suite 105, Macomb, IL 61455.

Illinois Farm Bureau Amateur Photo Contest Picture Illinois! The beauty (and even humor) of Illinois’ rural life comes into focus with Illinois Farm Bureau’s Second Annual Photo Contest. It's a chance for you, as a member, to capture your favorite images of the rich diversity of our state's agricultural landscape and its people. It's a great way to show off your favorite photos, and maybe even win a prize. The contest is for amateurs only. It's for all ages, and open to IFB members and their families. Make sure your photos were taken in Illinois, sometime between 20072009.

• Kids & Critters • All in a Day's Work • The Back 40 If that's not enough, maybe some cash incentives will help get you going! • 1 grand-prize winner will receive $150. • 3 first-place winners will receive $75 each • 3 second-placers get $25 each • 1 Members' Choice wins $50 (chosen at the IFB Annual Meeting in December) Winners will be announced in Partners and Farmweek. Winning photos will be published in IFB publications, on the IFB website and displayed at the IFB annual meeting.

There are three categories to inspire you:

For official rules visit Ken Kashian's Photo Gallery. There you'll also find a fast and easy way to electronically send us your digital photos. Entries can also be mailed. Either way, we need them by October 15. What are you waiting for? Start snapping! If you have any questions, you can contact Dawn at (309) 557-2293 or dheggie@ilfb.org. Special Note: This contest was an idea of the Public Relations Action Team, to promote both the beauty of Illinois agriculture and boost member involvement. You too can spread your ideas statewide. Talk to your county Farm Bureau about joining one of IFB's Action Teams.

For being a member of the McDonough County Farm Bureau, please enjoy these membership benefit discounts

10% off Any purchase

20% OFF

Not valid with any other discount

regular membership fee 309-833-5591 • 110 S. Dudley, Macomb

10% off

any dinner meal 307 University Dr., Macomb • 309-836-2938

Free Drink with purchase

Pagliai’s Pizza

15 East Side Square • 309-836-2788

Yâwzx 9 YÄÉÜtÄ VÜxtà|ÉÇá 122 N. Lafayette 309-833-3999

The

837-3830

4043 W. Jackson, Macomb

with purchase of a 12 month membership plan

309-836-9336 • 1601 W. Jackson Suite 104, Macomb

$5 off any cutom cake 1/2 sheet or larger.

15% discount on all single adult or family memberships. Excludes youth and senior memberships.

309-837-7272 521 West Jackson, Macomb The YMCA of McDonough County 400 E. Calhoun Macomb 309-833-2129

10% OFF

labor on brake & chassis work and

5% OFF

1103 E. Jackson, Macomb 309-833-2151

parts & tires.

10% OFF any purchase! Not valid with any other discounts

$22 for 18 holes w/cart.

325 W. Adams St. Macomb • (309) 833-3410

Siding & Windows

120 N. Johnson, Macomb 309-833-2713

Buy 1 pizza, get an equal value pizza FREE!

Allow 3 days for delivery/pick up. Code: KLYCKS

25% OFF

Labor & Parts

1414 E. Jackson 309-833-3098 530 W. Jackson 309-833-5860 Macomb Walmart

Gold Hills Golf Course 10980 E. 900 St. Colchester, IL 309-837-2930

837-7733 1-800-942-3506

Siding and Window Company 1155 E. Jackson, Macomb, IL

Free Ring Cleaning & Inspection by house jeweler, usually while you wait.

$2.00 off 20 lb. LP tank fill.

DIAMOND DEN 35 East Side Square Macomb 309-837-2573 1620 East Jackson Macomb 309-833-5508

10% OFF all meals

1736 E. Jackson, Macomb 309-836-7902

$1.00 OFF

Now open for Breakfast 6AM

Does not include specials.

1420 W. Jackson, Macomb 309-836-7625

from 11am - 4pm.

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Macomb

836-SIGN (7446) - 224 S. Normal, Macomb

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US Highway 136, Colchester, IL 62326 • 309-776-3891

(products & services)

5% OFF

ook

Not valid with any other offer. Must present card for discount

15% OFF Any Salon Item 1408 W. Jackson • 836-3904 www.TropicalisleTan.com 313 University Dr. • 836-3214

*excludes floral

Free quarter lb. fudge

crapbook

on all invoices

EATING

15% off custom signs and truck lettering

with purchase of 1lb. any flavor

10% off Labor

LECTRICAL LUMBING

10% off

merchandise

Adding 20% off the book rate for new customers Barsi-Depoy Tax & Business Service “No worry” Tax preparation Individual, Corporate, Small Business - Accounting and payroll services Business Center • Locally owned for over 40 years

34 W. Side Square, Macomb • 309-833-5996

your entire purchase *excludes clearance items

5 E. Side Square • 836-3689

10% Discount

The Enchanted

Florist

127 W. Calhoun, Macomb • 837-9159

Bonnie’s Bridal & Prom Boutique 10% off Bridesmaids Gowns 121 N. Scotland, Macomb 836-9199 (behind Maclan Plaza)

Buy 1 large pizza & get one large 1-topping free. Dine in or carry out only. 10% discount on purchase of buffet and drink.

312 N. University Dr. Macomb 309-833-3100

$1 OFF in stock Sweeper Bags

MR. SWEEPER

204 N. Lafayette, Macomb

309-837-3536

Macomb Audiology and Hearing Aid Center 10% off Hearing Aids 112 W. Jackson St., Macomb, IL • 309-836-5031

10% OFF all meals

1625 W. Jackson, Macomb 309-837-7272

$2.00 OFF Pizza a large or family size pizza

1506 E. Jackson Macomb 309-837-4999

WEST CENTRAL FS, INC. 1202 WEST PIPER • MACOMB, IL •

309-833-2168

Patronage Refund when applicable

MCDFB • August 2009 • Page 3

Manager’s Corner

Cell phones planted like pliers in farmers’ pockets “I think he’s trying to grow cell phones,” she said. We paused to laugh. She continued a swift pace. This farmer was in the middle of the wettest corn and soybean planting season on record. Tractors had been stuck; planting was delayed. And her husband had driven over his 2-week-old cell phone twice: once with a planter and later with a disc that buried it. The soil rang. He found the phone. The dusty device could still contact the local equipment dealership with a breakdown. However, the shattered screen left him unable to change the wimpy ring tone or even consider reading a text message about the commodity markets. A new phone suspends from a bungee cord on his collar. Cell phones on the farm have become as important as a pair of pliers to the daily attire. Farmers have grown as dependent on the mobile device as the 87 percent of Americans who own one. Even farmers in their seventh decade in the business carry the service, though some avoid voicemail. They realize the convenience and need to quickly access family business partners, farm suppliers, markets and weather. In fact, mobile communication made Mom the farm meteorologist. Someone planting in the field, for example, calls and asks her to predict an impending storm’s timing, precipitation total and duration. The information allows tractor operators to make better decisions in the field. Her forecasting responsibility dates back to at least the farm’s CB radio days of my childhood, when my code name was Foxtail and the stationary radio only reached Mom if she was in the house. A cell phone on her hip means she cannot hide; an unanswered call indicates she is mowing. Her radar narration duties have decreased some with the addition of cell phone internet service to provide mobile radars in the field. Cellular devices allow tech-savvy farmers to monitor market prices. Immediate information by text message or Web browsing provides the opportunity for important decision-making quickly. A challenge is that reception trails off with the population, meaning a corn field 30 miles from a city with stoplights may offer choppy communication at best. The core of the cell phone’s use on the farm remains conversation, both business and social. The same phone that called the local parts man for a fuel filter also orders the Sunday night pizza. It speed dials the veterinarian with calving trouble or reaches the farmwife seldom seen when planting season peaks. Mobile communication means Granny’s dinner bell to summon the men for the midday meal has become a novelty. But it’s a reliable backup on a day the men attempt to plant a crop of cell phones.

What do you get when you put local teachers together with local producers? Summer Ag Institute! As I write this, McDonough County has just finished our portion of the institute and it was fantastic if I must say so myself! Summer Ag Institute (SAI) is a partnership with WIU that combines local teachers with agriculture information in the form of tours and presentations. Teachers take the week long course for graduate credit and boy do they get an education! Throughout the week teachers visit with several different producers on different operations as well as several agri-businesses. We were able to take the group to visit the farm of Ken and Debby Dallefeld of rural Macomb, Heritage Grain and Dairy of rural

Bushnell and Western Grain Management’s new grain shuttle facility in rural Adair. It was a very full day but we didn’t hesitate in feeding them lots of yummy treats like beef from the Dallefeld farm and Prairie Farms Milk and Ice Cream at the dairy. The Dallefelds graciously grilled out for us and the group had an opportunity to taste their beef. They raise “wholesome” freezer beef and can be found at the Macomb Farmers Market each week. They also run a delivery business once a week. Ken took the group on a hay rack ride around the farm where the group was able to see Ken “call” cattle and then feed them. Just like little kids that know the sound of their parents voice, the cattle came bounding up the hill

Available at MCDFB for $3 per card

See Managers Continued on page 5

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This weekly publication is provided to MM members with the latest in farming news and classifieds.

Glass Specialty Company $500 off the retail price of medium and heavy duty trucks.

industry and the positive effects that biotechnology has had on agriculture. The final stop was at the new grain shuttle facility. This facility is fabulous. If you have the opportunity to go on a tour- be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. The shear size of the grain bins in unbelievable. They have built this facility to give local producers another market for their grain that will actually cut their costs and add value to their product. Buyers for train loads of grain are already being contracted and they hope to take grain in the Fall. It’s just amazing how fast this facility was built. For a long time I think people

*Bail Bond Cards*

Private Offer from GM on select vehicles. Call the Farm Bureau for more information.

when they heard Kens call to them. They know which sound means food! On the way back the house we stopped at the pond to feed the fish. At the dairy, Steve Hess showed the group all the ends and outs of his operation. Teachers were able to stand inside the parlor while the cows were milked and visit the barns where the cows eat and relax. Steve talked to the group about cow comfort- the top three things they are worried about. If a cow isn’t comfortable- then she won’t produce as much milk. Just like we’ve been saying here forever- if a farmer isn’t good to their animals- the animals won’t be good to them. Steve was able to answer lots of questions about the future of the dairy

Show your Illinois Farm Bureau member card at the Glass Specialty Company and receive a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart.

Get the best in farm news and reports with the RFD Radio Network. Listen locally at WLRB in Macomb!

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SAVE 10% on tax preparation

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Page 4 • MCDFB • August 2009

Part of Our Future is Remembering Our Past Do you recognize any of these faces from the past? Please call or drop by and let us know who these folks are.

VISIT US ONLINE!

Agent

Want the latest in the Farm Bureau news? Visit us online at http://mcdonough.countyfarmbureau.org or on our new blog at mcdonoughcountyfarmbureau.wordpress.com

Insurance & Financial Services

Legislators Contacts

PO Box 79 Office tel (309) 652-3889 Blandinsville, IL 61420 Office fax (309) 652-3849 brett.powell@countryfinancial.com 1107-050

It is important to let our legislators know your point of view. As a courtesy to our members, we are providing the contact information to be able to do just that!

Brett J. Powell

President Barack Obama The White House, District of Columbia 20500 Phone: (202) 456-1414 Fax: (202) 456-2461 August 24, 26, 31, September 2, 9 and 14 Annie’s Project –$50 - 1-3:30pm August 26 and September 9, 30- Utilizing Cover Crops Telenet Series- Concepts, Species and Management, Economics Noon to 1:15pm $30/series

U.S. Senator Roland Burris 523 Dirksen Senate Office Building, District of Columbia 205101305 Phone: (202) 224-2854 Fax: (202) 228-3333

August 26 - Salsa Making - $25 - 6:30-8:30pm August 31- Natural Resource Management Telenet – Miscanthus: From Field to Furnace: 1:30 or 6:30pm $5 September 15/17- 4 Seasons – Tree Maintenance Sept 29/Oct 1- 4 Seasons – Poisonous Plants September 30- Reliable Recordkeeping - What to Keep and Why? 6:30-8pm $10 October 5- Natural Resource Management Telenet-Prairie Restoration 4 Seasons telenets are Techniques 1:30 or 6:30pm $5 provided free of charge thanks to a donation by a McDonough County Master Gardener. November 12- Natural Resource The Tuesday programs Management Telenet – Design and begin at 1pm and the Use of Windbreaks :30 or 6:30pm $5 Thursday programs at 7pm

Oct 13/15- 4 Seasons – Bonsai

For more information about these programs or other services provided by the University of Illinois Extension Office, please visit our website at

mcdonough.extension.uiuc.edu Or call 309-837-3939 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Agriculture Consumer and Environmental Science United States Department of Agriculture • Local Extension Councils Cooperating

U.S. Senator Richard Durbin 309 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-2152 Fax: (202) 228-0400

http://ilga.gov/senate/Sena tor.asp? GA=95&MemberID=1279 sullivan@senatedem.state.il.us Representative Richard P. Myers 200-7N Stratton Building Springfield, IL 62706 Phone: (217) 782-0416 Fax: (217) 782-5257 331 North Lafayette Street Macomb, IL 61455 Phone: (309) 836-2707 Fax: (309) 836-2231 http://ilga.gov/house/Rep .asp? GA=95&MemberID=1187 repmyers@macomb.com

525 S. Eighth St. Springfield, IL 62703 Phone: (217) 492-4062 Fax: (217) 492-4382 www.durbin.senate.gov

Representative Phil Hare 1118 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-1317 Phone: (202) 225-5905 Fax: (202) 225-5396

Senator John M. Sullivan 417 State Capitol Springfield, IL 62706 Phone: (217) 782-2479

1535 47th Ave., #5 Moline, IL 61265 Phone: (309) 793-5760 Fax: (309) 762-9193

926 Broadway, Suite 6 Quincy, IL 62301 Phone: (217) 222-2295 Fax: (217) 222-2944

261 North Broad St., #5 Galesburg, IL 61401 Phone: (309) 342-4411 Fax: (309) 342-9749 http://hare.house.gov

440 N Lafayette Ste 100 Macomb, IL 61455 (309) 833-5526 Fax (309) 833-5687

MCDFB • August 2009 • Page 5

4-H Fair Activities Held The McDonough County Farm Bureau helped sponsor several events during the 2008 4-H Fair. Ag in the Classroom invited all youngsters 3rd grade and younger to be a “Farmer For a Day” with the multistation agriculture setup. Children were able to collect eggs from the coop, dig for potatoes, pick apples, sort grain, explore farm machinery and learn about farm safety. Many children enjoyed the station as well as several local daycare facilities. MCDFB also sponsored the annual Ag Olympics for youth age 8 through high school. During the Ag Olympics, participants competed in events such as the dizzy bat race, farmers clothes race, egg and spoon race and the corn eating relay.

Manager’s

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS June 8, 2009

The McDonough County Farm Bureau Board of Directors met in regular session on Monday, June 8, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Office with the following members present: Colby Hunt, Adam McMillan, Joel Lewis, Jeffrey Butler, Steve Hood, Larry Hopkins, Mark Wolford, Chad Russell, Todd Dixon The meeting was called to order by Butler. The invocation was given by Dixon. Also present was Sarah Grant, Manager; Whitney Homer, AITC Coordinator; Barry Schmidt, West Central FS, Wyatt McGrew & Austin Tate- scholarship recipients; and Brian Puetz, ILFB Region 1 Regional Manager. The guests for the evening gave a

report. Homer gave a year end wrap up. Schmidt reported on status of WGM and gave a market update. Scholarships were presented to McGrew & Tate. The minutes from April were read silently and motion was made and seconded. Motion carries. The Financial Report from April & May was given by Dixon. The Membership Report for May was given by Grant. A motion to approve members was made and seconded. Motion carried. Old Business: Grant reported on the building. An update was given on the wind ordinance. It is on track to be approved by the county board. An update was given on the Spring Ride Alongs. An update was given on SAI. Our response to an AP story

Real answers for real financial security

printed in the Journal was passed around. New Business: A golf outing to benefit Ag in the Classroom will be held in August at Gold Hills. An update on social media was given. Discussion was held on a membership drive. Commodities conference will be July 29th in Springfield. An update was given on H1N1. Update was given on Plat Books. Rough draft of a Foundation brochure was passed around. The July board meeting will be held at the Butlers on July 13. Other Business: Grant gave the manager’s report. A local affairs conference will be held in August in Macomb. Motion to adjourn was made and seconded. Motion carries. Adjourn time- 9:45 p.m.

Continued from page 3

thought nothing was going on over there because they couldn’t see the workers. Well I can assure you they were working- they were just below ground! There is a ton of underground concrete work that has been done to make this facility a reality. There just isn’t any better way to learn about agriculture than to experience it first hand. We’re proud of the SAI program and information it brings to local teachers. For more information on this program, just give me a call or send me an email. I’d love to tell you about it! (Look for pictures on our blog www.mcdonoughcountyfarmbureau.wordpress.com and in next months issue)

Who needs a medical DOT physical in the McDonough County farming community? According to the Illinois CDL study guide the answer is: • Commercial Motor Vehicle operators operating a vehicle of gross weight 10,000 lbs. or greater

• Bus Drivers • Hazardous Material Drivers

Where can you get a High Quality & Economical DOT Physical? Family Chiropractic & Occupational Health Services - With over 25 plus years of Service in the Macoupin and McDonough County area.

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Joe Knuppel

100 N. Side Sq. Macomb, IL 61455

309-836-2885

FS Agri Finance

Up until recently, the words 'convenient' and 'financing' did not necessarily go together. But the FS Agri-Finance program has changed all of that. FS Agri-Finance enables you to secure financing for your operation through your local FS member cooperative – it's 'one-stop shopping' at its best. So not only do you save time, but your production needs and financial plans are all handled by people who understand your business the way you do. Ask about FS Agri-Finance from West Central FS, Inc. today. It's custom financing at your convenience. Brett Powell

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West Central FS, Inc. 309-833-2168

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Page 6 • MCDFB • August 2009

Food Prices Continued from page 1 Social Media Bridges Consumer-Producer Gap steadily over time and is now just 19 percent, according to Agriculture Department statistics,” Sartwelle said. Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this quarter’s $46.29 marketbasket would be $8.80. AFBF, the nation’s largest general farm organization, has been conducting the informal quarterly marketbasket survey of retail food price trends since 1989. The mix of foods in the marketbasket was updated during the first quarter of 2008. According to USDA, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world. A total of 82 shoppers in 33 states participated in the latest survey, conducted in May.

Tracking Milk and Egg Trends For the second quarter of 2009, shoppers reported the average price for a half-gallon of regular whole milk was $1.92, down 24 cents from the prior quarter. The average price for one gallon of regular whole milk was $3.01, down 14 cents. Comparing per-quart prices, the retail price for whole milk sold in gallon containers was about 25 percent lower compared to half-gallon containers, a typical volume discount long employed by retailers. The average price for a half-gallon of rBST-free milk was $3.18, down 1 cent from the last quarter and about 65 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($1.92). The average price for a half-gallon of organic milk was $3.63, down 8 cents compared to the first quarter and approximately 90 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($1.92). Compared to a year ago (second quarter of 2008), the retail price for regular milk in gallon containers decreased by 22 percent while regular milk in half-gallon containers decreased 20 percent. The average retail price for rBST-free milk dropped about 5 percent in a year’s time. The average retail price for organic milk in half-gallon containers went up and down slightly throughout the year, rising 1 percent in the second quarter of 2009 compared to a year ago. For the second quarter of 2009, the average price for one dozen regular eggs was $1.34. The average price for “cage-free” eggs was $3.00 per dozen, around 95 percent more per dozen than regular eggs. Regular eggs and “cage-free” eggs dropped in retail price by 26 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009.

Billions of people turn to the Internet daily searching for access to instant information. On Google alone there are 31 billon searches every month. We live in exponential times. With radio, it took 38 years to reach a market audience of 50 million; with Facebook it took a mere two years. Social media is sweeping the nation as well as the agricultural community. According to a recent American Farm Bureau Federation survey of young farmers and ranchers, among the 92 percent of young (aged 18-35) farmers and ranchers who use computers, 46 percent regularly plug in to some form of social media. The growing discovery of Web-based tools such as Facebook and Twitter is not only changing the way we communicate with one another, but also is shaping the way people form opinions, ultimately driving consumer preferences. Likewise, a growing number of farmers and ranchers are using social media to build bridges of under-

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standing with consumers. While a number of agriculturists are using social media to connect with like-minded individuals, many are engaging in conversations with others who hold different opinions, but who hunger for information from “real” farmers. This presence is vital as activist groups also use social media to plant seeds of doubt about modern agricultural practices. Food safety is one topic fostering all types of conversations in social media circles. There are numerous forums, blogs, Twitter messages, and Facebook pages in the cyber world about food and how it is produced. All too often, these platforms are onesided and negative. But therein rests an opportunity for positive engagement. Engaging and interacting with critics and consumers can be challenging and uncomfortable, but in our convenience-driven society if the farmer’s side of the story goes untold in social media circles, the

doubters are not going to take the time to dig for the facts. And that is one big reason why using social media to join the conversation has become more of a business responsibility than a social luxury. By embracing today’s communication tools and conveying authentic, thoughtful messages about all the valuesbased activities that go into modern food production, farmers and ranchers are making a difference. A rancher can send

out a simple message like “It’s a hot one today! Headed out to check the animals.” The value of that kind of Twitter or Facebook message cannot be quantified, but it’s the type of reassurance, accountability and responsiveness consumers are seeking and that they expect. An Indiana native and graduate of Purdue University, Angela Hoffman is a public relations intern at the American Farm Bureau Federation.

We’re going GREEN! Help us go green by sending us your email address. We’d be happy to send you information about upcoming programs and a link to the online version of this newspaper!

MCDFB • August 2009 • Page 7

Heritage Equipment Company- Towers Above Area Fields Heritage Equipment Company is going to new heights to make sure its customers can go high-tech. Area producers can now place seeds and fertilizer exactly where they want it—within less than an inch variance even in the dark—thanks to Heritage’s new satellite signal transmitting and receiving equipment. The Macomb-based John Deere dealer now has antennas and radio transmitters on top of three existing towers. These components make up the base station necessary for customers to connect to Heritage’s Real Time Kinematic (RTK) satellite navigation signal. “Most producers do not want to invest in a tower and all the base station equipment. We’ve made the investment so we can bring the latest agriculture management solutions (AMS) technology to our customers,” said Matt Repp, Heritage’s AMS specialist. The RTK signal transmitted from the towers is picked up by each producer’s new John Deere StarFire™ iTC receiver, which in turn communicates with the tractor’s AutoTrac™ steering system. The signal guides the tractor and equipment down rows with an accuracy of less than one inch. “Accurately following rows eliminates overlap in fertilizer and pesticide application and seed planting, which saves input costs, including fuel,” said Repp. And, producers using signal-guided steering systems suffer from less fatigue and can plant accurately after dark. Above and beyond improved steering accuracy, the newest StarFire receiver provides repeatability. Previous StarFire models pick up signals from orbiting satellites, which can drift. Because the Star Fire™ iTC picks up signals from Heritage’s base stations, there is no drift. “You can enter your field year after year, and know that your map is accurate and you’re planting down the right line,” said Repp. Repp says this is especially valuable for producers using strip-till techniques when the furrow is prepared in the fall and planted into the following spring. The towers are located south of Blandinsville, just northwest of Ipava, and seven miles south of Macomb. Each tower’s signal is available to producers within a 12-mile radius of the base, and producers working on the border of two signals are given access to both to ensure they keep a signal at all times. To make use of the RTK signal, Heritage customers need to have the complete AutoTrac™ SF2 system and pay a monthly subscription fee. Establishing a fourth tower to cover customers in all Heritage Equipment Company’s service areas is planned. Heritage Equipment Company is a Gold Star certified John Deere dealer located on East Jackson Street in Macomb. The dealership sells and services agriculture, commercial, and lawn and garden equipment for customers in West-Central Illinois.

‘Annie’s Project’ to be offered Lisa Fulkerson, County Extension Director – McDonough County

To assist with serving the needs of area farm families, University of Illinois Extension-McDonough, Henderson, Warren and Mercer are presenting Annie’s Project. What is Annie’s Project? Annie’s Project is a program designed to empower farm women to be better business partners through participation in a series of six educational sessions examining the business of farming. Some of the topics covered during the sessions include time management, business planning, financial recordkeeping, commodity marketing and management, farmland leasing and purchasing, retirement and estate planning, and government farm programs and policies. Time will also be spent working at computers learning to use the internet and various farm analysis tools.

Analysis. Advice. Action. Lawrence F. Kane

Branch Manager lkane@s-pelmwood.com Cell: 309.231.0846

Cathy Ekstrand

Market Advisor cekstrand@s-pelmwood.com Cell: 309.231.9784

Toll-free 866.334.9779 • phone 309.742.3208 fax 309.742.2208 119 W. Main Street, PO Box 199, Elmwood, IL 61529

SEE YOUR AD HERE! Advertising Space is Now Available The McDonough County Farm Bureau Harvester reaches over 2000 households in McDonough County each month! We have the lowest column rates around and many sizes are available!

Contact Sarah at 837-3350 or email mcdfb@logonix.net for more information.

The series of classes will be offered at the 4-H Center in Macomb from 1-3:30pm on August 24, 26, 31, September 2 and 9. A sixth class on ag production is being planned for a later date at the Monsanto research farm in Monmouth. As a result of a grant from the USDA Farm Service Agency, we are able to offer the program at a reduced cost of $50 per person. The fee includes all materials and computer use. Class space is limited. For additional information about the event, or to place your name on a list to reserve a spot for this program, contact University of Illinois Extension—McDonough County at 309-837-3939 or lfulkers@illinois.edu Registration is requested by August 7, 2009.

Classifieds Classifieds ads are free to all McDonough County Farm Bureau members. To submit items call us at 309-837-3350 or email at mcdfb@logonix.net. All submissions must be received by the third Monday of the month to appear in the upcoming month.

SERVICES Tractor & implement refinishing. Color match or custom PPG Certified. 1-866-562-8911 ––––––––––––––––––

FOR SALE SWISHER, PULL BEHIND 44" LAWN MOWER 10.5 HP OHV BRIGGS & STATION $700.00 OBO (309)255-5500 USED VERY LITTLE, VERY GOOD SHAPE, READY TO MOW –––––––––––––––––– West Prairie Premium Wholesome Freezer Beef Kenne & Debby Dallefeld 14170 N. 1400th Road, Macomb, Il Home 309-836-8566 cell 309-333-1417 kdbbranch@juno.com We sell packaged beef as well as quarters, halves and wholes. • Deliveries made locally every Wednesday 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. • Macomb Farmers Market • Pick-up at the farm by appointment West Prairie Farm Beef is raised locally on our farm in rural McDonough County. We’re committed to raising premium quality beef without using implants (growth hormones) or antibiotics in the feed. All corn, hay and silage fed to our cattle is grown on our farms. We use an environmentally friendly method of farming, which includes the use of calcium, composted poultry manure, and organic dry fertilizer. We use cover crops for fertilizer and erosion control. We use predator wasp in order to greatly reduce the use of pesticides. We hold an Illinois State retailer’s license and a McDonough County Permit. –––––––––––––––––– Rebuilt Manure Spreaders 1-New Idea #17 and 1-IH #100 Ron McGrew 309-775-4502 –––––––––––––––––– Building Awning for sale. Black with lettering. Easily painted. Includes metal grid for hanging.

WANTED Lots of old fence to sink in cement to hold plastic hose. “Free” or “Cheap” 309-836-8335

FREE Classifieds! Did you know that classified ads are free to all McDonough County Farm Bureau members? There must be something you’d like to have someone take off your hands! To submit item for this section, call us at 309-837-3350 or email at mcdfb@logonix.net. Also, feel free to cut out this ad and return it to us via the mail at 440 N. Lafayette St., Suite 105 in Macomb. All submissions must be received by MCDFB by the third Monday of each month to appear in the upcoming month. _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________

Page 8 • MCDFB • August 2009

Getting to Know Your Farm Bureau Policy How well do you know Farm Bureau policy? In order to better understand it, MCDFB will run monthly excerpts from the 2008 policy book. Interested in learning more about how our policy system works? It all starts with you! For more info contact the office! 72. RISK MANAGEMENT/CROP INSURANCE We encourage continued producer education of risk management alternatives, efforts to refine existing risk management tools, and the development of new crop insurance and other risk management tools. The ultimate goal should be to eliminate the need for federal disaster payments for all producers. Until such improvements in risk management tools are made, and in the event federal disaster payments are approved, we believe: 1. The federal crop insurance program should be actuarially sound by crop, by county, and by state. 2. Funding for disaster assistance programs should not come from reopening the farm bill or from other agricultural funding offsets. 3. Disaster payments should not penalize producers who have purchased higher levels of crop insurance. 4. Disaster payments should be in the form of increased levels of coverage for those producers carrying crop insurance with eligible losses. 5. Producers and/or landlords should be able to opt out of crop insurance coverage, but in so doing, would not be eligible for federal disaster payments on crop losses. 6. Disaster assistance payments should be distributed in as timely a manner as possible. 7. Producers should not have to be turned down by a lender to qualify for a low interest disaster loan. 8. Beginning farmers should be allowed to use county yield estimates instead of the calculated Tyield when establishing yields for federal crop insurance. Risk Management We support: 1.Providing leadership in seeking new ways for farmers to manage risk through the private sector. 2.The use of pilot programs that would serve to assist producers in learning to utilize various risk management tools for all products, including livestock. Producers willing to partic-

ipate in the pilot program should be allowed to choose from a variety of approved risk management methods designed to substantially manage the risk of the farming operation. The cost of implementing the chosen risk management method should be subsidized during the pilot program. 3. Education programs that provide risk assessment and risk management as well as professional education for farmers in marketing, financial management, and government regulations. 4. The use of offexchange agricultural trade option contracts in commodity marketing, which would include complete risk disclosure, vendor integrity, and with the opportunity for cash settlement of the option. We should provide educational programs for producers to learn about this risk management tool and work with commodity buyers to offer agricultural trade option contracts. 5. The necessary legislative and regulatory changes to establish a Farmer Investment Savings Account into which a producer could contribute pretax dollars for self-insurance and be allowed to make withdrawals at the contributor’s discretion. Crop Insurance We will actively seek a crop insurance program which: 1.Provides payments for actual losses, including losses incurred from delayed or prevented plantings, arising from natural causes, and impacting a significant number of producers in a concentrated area. 2.Allows the producer a selection of coverages insuring for specific perils including the variation of coverages on the same crop. 3. Provides coverage that is written and losses paid on the basis of dollars per acre rather than based on a guaranteed level of production. 4. Is offered and administered through private sector resources willing and able to assume some level of risk. 5. Can be affordably reinsured through the federal government. 6. Eliminates federally mandated requirements in order to be eligible to participate in the federal farm programs. 7. Allows the Secretary of Agriculture the right to extend the planting deadline for crop insurance purposes for untimely plant-

Farm Fact

of the Month According to the USDA, 98% of farms are still family farms.

ings due to weather delays. 8. Allows producers and/or landlords to opt out of crop insurance coverage, but in so doing would not be eligible for federal disaster payments on crop losses. 9. Allows individual units to be insured on a Farm Service Agency (FSA) optional unit basis. 10. Is actuarially sound by crop, by county, and by state. 11. Serves as a business tool for the producer that protects against natural and/or economic disasters and is not used as an artificial incentive to produce a crop. 12. Requires all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies accepting production data, including acreage and yield data that has been certified, to reconcile the data in order to streamline the reporting process and reduce the potential for fraud and abuse. 13. Promotes the use of Soil Productivity, derived from existing County Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Surveys, as a guide for establishing base T yields for Federal Crop Insurance. 14. Expands the USDA Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) Adjusted Gross Revenue Insurance pilot program to include Illinois, or to offer the program nationwide. 15. Allows the use of the higher of either the base price (such as February average for corn and soybeans) of the appropriate futures contract or loan rate for that crop in order to establish the initial revenue guarantee for revenuebased crop insurance policies. 16. Rebalances premium

subsidy levels by applying a flat percentage across all coverage levels. 17. Explores the feasibility and possibility of offering producers coverage levels above the currently offered coverage levels. 18. Studies the elimination of Catastrophic (CAT) coverage and applying those subsidy dollars to higher coverage levels. 19. Allows high-risk ground to be insured separately, and at a lower level, than other ground in the same county. 20. Allows Written Agreements, once granted, to remain effective until loss ratios dictate otherwise. 21. Devotes additional resources to allow annual review of RMA rates for all crops in all states, with priority given to: A. States with loss ratios consistently exceeding the Agricultural Risk Protection Act (ARPA) mandate receiving accelerated degree-of-rate change to achieve actuarial soundness as quickly as possible. B. States with consistently low loss ratios. C. Including noninsured ground in production review in order to receive the most accurate assessment possible of each county’s production capacity. 22. Devotes additional research dollars to improve existing policies to develop new insurance tools and foster the development of new and innovative delivery systems. 23. Expands the availability of the Revenue Assurance (RA) policy to all currently insurable crops in all states, and: A. Combines features of the Crop Revenue Coverage (CRC) policy and RA-Harvest Price Option

BAKED SPAGHETTI 1 pound ground beef 1 cup chopped onion 1 (12 ounce) pkg. spaghetti, cooked, drained 2 (28 ounce) cans diced Italian tomatoes 1 (4 ounce) can mushrooms, drained 1 (4 ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning or oregano 1 (8 ounce) package shredded cheddar cheese, divided • Brown ground beef and onion while bringing water to boil for spaghetti. (A few drops of vegetable oil in water helps prevent spaghetti from sticking.) Drain beef and onion mixture. • Add tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, seasoning and heat. Spread half of cooked spaghetti in sprayed 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Layer half beef mixture and sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese on top. Repeat spaghetti, meat mixture and cheese layers. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. TIP: This recipe is great to make in advance. If chilled from refrigerator, then bake for 40 to 45 minutes.

policy due to their similarities. B. Combines features of the Income Protection (IP) policy and RA-Base Price Option policy due to their similarities. C. Creates more distinguished names for the two RA products to prevent confusion. 24. Promotes the development of federal and private sector revenue-based insurance policies that could be used to provide income protection for specialty crops and livestock normally produced in that area. 25. Allows doublecropped soybeans to be insured as a separate unit and the lengthening of planting dates to better reflect variety maturity, growing season length, Land Grant University or processor recommendations, geographic areas, and weather conditions. 26. Allows doublecropped feedgrains to be insured as a separate unit if best management practices are followed. 27. Allows the use of all elevator quality factors conducted by certified graders using certified testing equipment. These factors include moisture, foreign material, test weight, damage, and mycotoxins. The disinterested third party requirements for mycotoxin testing should be eliminated if certified equipment and testers are in place. 28. Offers replant benefits that accurately reflect actual cost of replanting the damaged crop. 29. Allows producers and landlords to receive replant benefits reflective of their share of the expenses to replant the damaged crop, regardless of the crop insurance company or type of crop insurance policy they or the landlord/tenant have.

30. Requires RMA claim guidelines to take into consideration economic justification when Best Management Practices are used to determine treatment thresholds and timeliness of applications. 31. Allows crop insurance agents to be involved in the claims process to provide enhanced and seamless service to producers. 32. May allow Actual Production History (APH) calculations to be based on five years of actual yield history.

How ideas become Farm Bureau Policy 6 steps 1 Farmers tell their county Farm Bureau about an idea, need or concern. 2 The county Farm Bureau researches and considers the idea. 3 The idea is considered at the state level. 4 Farmers throughout Illinois vote on the idea and if approved, it becomes Farm Bureau policy. 5 Some Illinois Farm Bureau policy is turned into American Farm Bureau Federation policy. 6 The farmer benefits from the new policy. gvxx4477NT0206