The Central Illinois Farm Network

5-26-12

          For the second year in a row, Beck's Hybrids is pleased to announce the We Care for Orphans Adoption Fund Sweepstakes. The Sweepstakes will kick off at the 2012 Indianapolis 500, where event goers will have the opportunity to win a 2012 Limited Edition Supercharged Camaro Panther™ by SLP. But it doesn't stop there, the winner will receive the number one car out of only 100 Panther's being produced. 

        "It's not every day that you get the opportunity to raise money for a great cause, plus have the opportunity to win one of the rarest Camaros to ever be produced," said Scott Beck, vice president of Beck's Hybrids.

        "Last year, a total of $85,543 was raised for the charity and more than 20 families were helped. This year, with the help of farmers and car enthusiasts from across the United States, our goal is to reach $100,000."

        Painted black with gold accents, the supercharged Panther is a convertible and has a 6.2 liter, 427 cubic inch engine with aluminum short block and heads producing 600 horse-power. The name "Panther" originated in 1965 when Chevrolet was working on a project to rival the Mustang. Before going to production the name was changed to Camaro. 

5-26-12

        TREMONT - Monsanto will purchase Precision Planting of Tremont, which will become a part of Monsanto's Integrated Farming Systems Unit. 

        Reports indicate Monsanto has agreed to pay $210 million for the business plus a performance-based payment of up to $40 million. 

        Gregg Sauder and his wife Cindy started Precision Planting in 1993 and the company's operations will stay in Tremont. 

5-25-12

           FAIRBURY - Mark you calendar now for July 10.  That's the date for the Indian Creek Watershed Field Tour, featuring farmer leaders of the Indian Creek Watershed Project. 

          Farmers and other interested individuals will be able to learn more about the project facilitated by teh Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District and Conservation Technology Information Center. 

         Local farmers demonstrate and test conservation practices on their land and producers are participating through conservation programs with technical and financial assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

        A number of agri-businesses, universities, agricultural associations and conservation organizations lend support and expertise to the project, which aims to conserve Indian Creek's water quality and improve soil and water resource stewardship on Indian Creek farms. 

       The 2011 field trials delivered interesting results, including significant yield increases when the farmer applied fertilizer in the spring as opposed to fall application. In addition, plots treated with half fertilizer in the spring and the other half in fall (split application) did not fare as well as spring application plots. 

      Register for the event by calling the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District at 815-844-6127, extension 3 or e-mail Christa Jones at:  jones@ctic.org. 

5-23-12

            Planted progress for corn has reached 99 percent statewide, 20 points above the five-year average of 79 percent, according to the weekly crop progress and weather report for Illinois from the USDA.

           Corn emerged has reached 88 percent, corn condition is rated one percent very poor, two percent poor, 18 percent fair, 63 percent good and 16 percent excellent.

          Soybeans planted increased from 44 percent to 80 percent over the past week, well above the five-year average of 37 percent. Some soybean fields still left to be planted are too dry to plant until we receive rain. 

          The first cutting of alfalfa now stands at 68 percent complete, compared to the five-year average of 19 percent. A significant portion of the winter wheat crop has started to turn yellow, at 45 percent. Winter wheat conditions remained nearly the same last week.   

5-23-12

         FORREST - The Livingston County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee hosted its annual adopted classroom farm tour on Tuesday, near Forrest and Fairbury.  

        Students from Calmeca Academy of Dual Language and Fine Arts in Chicago visited the Blunier Hog Farm and the Kilgus Dairy Farm. Their charter bus departed Chicago early in the morning to travel to Central Illinois and enjoy a farm experience. 

         The fourth graders, their teachers and parents also had lunch at the Forrest Park. 

5-22-12

         Farmers across the country are applauding the recommendation by the Domino's Pizza board and its shareholders decision to reject the Humane Society of the United States' resolution regarding sow housing. 

       Domino's officials say they believe that farmers, veterinarians and other animal experts are better suited than activist groups to determine what the best animal care practices are. 

       To show support for Domino's decision, Illinois soybean farmers are asked to join the "Ag Pizza Party" by going to Domino's e-mail comment page and making sure you select "praise" as the e-mail category. Any area can be filled in with a red asterisk, including a name, address, and phone number. 

       The Illinois Soybean Association says to support your local Domino's franchisee owner or general manager and thank them for their decision. Also, be sure to order a pizza and encourage everyone else to do the same. 

5-22-12

         Women and minority landowners unfamiliar with working with the US Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are invited to learn more about how NRCS can help them protect their land and be more productive by attending a workshop on June 26 in Princeton, IL or June 28 in Springfield, IL.

         The workshop includes an overview of USDA-NRCS Conservation Planning and Conservation Technical Assistance, a panel presentation from landowners participating in NRCS programs as well as an opportunity to sign up for assistance.

        “By attending these workshops, landowners will learn about NRCS program opportunities such as the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), other easement programs and other services that are available. EQIP includes financial assistance funds for seasonal high tunnel or organic farming practices,” said Dave King, executive director of Prairie Hills RC&D, which is one of the sponsors the workshops.

       Workshops will run from 8:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Princeton workshop will be held at the Bureau County Metro Center, 837 Park Avenue West.  The Springfield workshop will be held at the Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Drive. Lunch and the opportunity to apply for a travel stipend are available to those women and minority landowners who pre-register by June 15.

      For more information or to register, contact Prairie Hills RC&D at 309-833-4747 or email prairie@frontier.com.

5-21-12 By Kent Casson

          This is a wonderful time of the year to enjoy life on the farm.

          When else can you see so much going on at once? Some Central Illinois farmers are finishing up soybean planting while others are applying anhydrous ammonia and spraying the young corn crop. Then there are those who spent the past week mowing non-stop, like yours truly.

         We have been lucky to have a string of several nice days full of sunshine which is perfect for all of the fieldwork taking place. Now, we just need those timely rains to continue throughout the entire growing season.

         My family has finished soybean planting and now it is on to some other projects for the spring and summer. Let’s hope we don’t need to get those planters and field cultivators back out of the shed to replant anything. At this point, things are looking pretty good.

         I had a chance to scout the cornfield up north last week and the young plants look healthy, although a rain shower wouldn’t hurt. That farm did receive quite a bit of rain during that stormy weekend in early May, but we were lucky to miss the four to six inches of rain some locations in northern Livingston County received during that time.

         It sounds like the Illinois wheat crop maturity is ahead of schedule and the wheat harvest could begin in a matter of weeks. I always enjoy the sight of a mature, golden wheat field covering the countryside. In fact, I chose a wheat photograph I took last summer as the cover photo for the Central Illinois Farm Network’s Facebook page – be sure to check it out. While you are there, look at some of the other farm photos and posts.

5-20-12

         FAIRBURY - A local food systems and small farms Extension educator from the University of Illinois Extension will present tips on identifying and managing pests and diseases during a seminar next month.

        The event will begin at 6 p.m. June 5 at the Phelps Schoolhouse on the Spence Farm near Fairbury. Also, biological control of pests will be discussed by Kelly Allsup, a horticulture extension educator. 

        Those attending should park on the grassy area near the second drive at the farm entrance.  The cost is $5 and online registration is available at: www.spencefarmfoundation.org/events/pestmanagement. 

5-19-12

          OVERLAND PARK, KAN. - Farms Technology LLC has announced that its DPP (Dynamic Pricing Platform) grain desk, the proprietary online electronic grain exchange, will expand its trading period from 17 to 22 hours to match the increased trading schedule of the CME Group, the nation's primary futures exchange.

         CME is slated to start its expanded hours Monday, May 21. The DPP grain desk will also mirror the CME trading hours as they expand.

         Using patented E-Pit technology, which facilitates instant electronic hedging and eliminates slippage, DPP grain desk allows growers to obtain their asking prices and buyers to obtain their future hedges. Fully automated hedging and purchasing of grain allow growers to execute cash sales of grain anytime markets are trading.

        Farms Technology has been pioneering electronic grain trading for farmers and commodity buyers since 2003, and it has never seen greater demand for DPP.

        "Our team is extremely busy right now adding buyers and delivery points to DPP, and we will be ready whenever the CME markets are trading," says Jason Tatge, CEO of Farms Technology. "Changes in the CME hours have prompted grain merchants to implement at unprecedented rates."

        Grain markets don't stop moving when buyers go home for the evening, because traders live in a global commodity market. Savvy farmers are using pricing targets to take advantage of the increased volatility in the futures markets. Using DPP allows them to get their price whenever the market opportunity presents itself.

5-18-12

          NORMAL – Annie’s Project will be offered in Normal on Thursday evenings May 24 through June 28.  All sessions will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the First Farm Credit Services building, 2000 Jacobssen Drive, in Normal.

         The program is designed to empower farm women to become better business partners in the management of farm assets. The classes combine formal instruction with informal discussion as women share their experiences on and away from the farm.  Farm women are encouraged to engage their instructors in constructive questions and answers. 

        Class sessions include: personality analysis, land ownership and leasing, helping agencies to know, farm financial management, insurance and retirement needs, estate planning and grain marketing.  All topics are introduced at basic levels. 

       Cost of the program is $75 per person.  To register, call 309-663-8306, saying you want to register for Annie’s Project.  Or, register online at:  http://web.extension.Illinois.edu/lmw. 

5-17-12

          DWIGHT – Northern Livingston County farmer Jason Bunting says this is the time of the year when things start to pick up on his farms. 

         Bunting’s family finished planting corn a couple of weeks ago, just before a six inch rain fell in his area.  He says farmers wanted some rain and Mother Nature indeed gave it to them. 

        Bunting started planting soybeans this week. 

         “There has been a lot of side dressing of nitrogen getting put down right now and everybody is just now getting back into the field and getting busy. I am kind of looking forward to it.  We started cutting hay again back on Saturday afternoon and have been cutting about 40 acres everyday since. It is getting to be busy now that Mother Nature has been giving us a window to get some stuff done,” said Bunting. 

        Bunting has a corn/soybean/wheat rotation and farms near the towns of Dwight, Emington and Cabery. 

Listen to an audio interview with Jason Bunting in PODCASTS.

5-17-12

         The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is seeking youth with an interest in the pork industry to attend the 2012 Illinois Pork Leadership Institute (IPLI) June 26-28. IPLI focuses on leadership, citizenship, and communication skills through hands-on experiences. Youth participate in a bus tour of various aspects of the agriculture industry and learn about pork promotion, research, consumer information and issues that affect the pork industry.

        The application deadline for the IPLI has been extended to Friday, May 25.  The 2012 IPLI will include visits to the Galesburg Department of Agriculture testing lab, Farmland hog processing plant in Monmouth, a cooking class in Quincy, and the Abraham Lincoln Museum and State Capitol in Springfield.

        “IPPA supports numerous checkoff-funded youth related activities as a way to develop future pork industry leaders,” said Mike Borgic, IPPA Director of Membership & Outreach. “IPLI is an exceptional opportunity for the youth of the Illinois pork industry to meet with others and learn more about their industry."

       Young pork enthusiasts between the ages of 16 to 22 by March 31, 2012, are eligible to attend the trip. IPLI attendees do not have to be pork producers or from pork producing families, but must exhibit a sincere interest in the pork industry and agriculture.

       IPLI applications can be downloaded at www.ilpork.com or by contacting the IPPA office at (217) 529-3100.

5-16-12

          EUREKA - A four-day farm tractor and machinery operation program for teens is scheduled for June 4-7 at the Woodford County Farm Bureau building. 

         The program is sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension and attendees will receive classroom instruction, take-home assignments, and a written exam. Also, they must demonstrate the safe operation of a tractor. 

         Sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to noon June 4 and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 5-7. The cost is $30 and pre-registration is required by May 28. 

         For more information, call the Woodford County Extension Office at 309-467-3789. 

5-16-12

         Bearsdtown, IL  - A man injured on the job at Beardstown's Cargill plant has died.  Jackie Lee Burns the Third's finger was cut off by a cable while he was unloading hogs last Friday. 

        He was transferred to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield for treatment.  Burns collapsed and died while he was being discharged from the hospital.  Sangamon County Coroner Cinda Edwards says it doesn't appear Burns died as a direct result of his injuries.

5-15-12

         According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Illinois winter wheat crop is expected to yield 62 bushels per acre, based on conditions as of May 1.

        This would be one bushel above last year's yield and if the yield is realized, total production would be 39.06 million bushels, 16 percent less than last year's production. Farmers seeded 660,000 acres to winter wheat last fall and expect to harvest 630,000 acres for grain. This compares to 800,000 acres seeded and 765,000 acres harvested in 2011. 

       The monthly Illinois Farm Report also shows that hay stocks in Illinois on May 1 were at 300,000 tons, down six percent from a year ago. Harvest of hay continues, with 18 percent of the first cutting of alfalfa complete as of April 29.

       Total gross income for Illinois producers from cattle and calves and hogs and pigs' marketings increased 15 percent from $1.79 billion in 2010 to $2.06 billion in 2011. Cattle and calves gross income increased five percent while hogs and pigs increased 20 percent. 

       The April index of prices received by Illinois farmers for all crops was 167 percent of the base, down four points from the revised March figure and 19 points below April 2011. Crop prices decreased for all commodities except for soybeans.

5-12-12

          TOWANDA - After a week of wet weather, fields have dried out and planting has resumed in many areas of Central Illinois. 

         On Thursday and Friday, several tractors and planters were spotted in fields throughout Livingston and McLean Counties.  Many farmers have wrapped up the corn planting and are planting soybeans. 

       Aside from some slight chances for showers early this weekend, the weather forecast looks pretty favorable for soybean planting.  Just one year ago this weekend, around Mother's Day, many Central Illinois growers were just starting to plant corn. 

       Expect a lot of soybean acres to be planted right here in Central Illinois, because of the high prices of soybeans. 

(Above photo shows a farmer planting soybeans near Towanda on Thursday afternoon)

5-12-12

        PONTIAC - The Livingston County Farm Bureau will host a meeting with landowners and tenants to discuss issues relating to Enbridge's plans to expand the pipeline system from the Flanagan South Facility (near Pontiac) to Cushing, Oklahoma.

       The informational meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at the Livingston County Farm Bureau building on West Howard Street in Pontiac. To reserve a spot, call 815-842-1103.

       Issues relating to easement negotiations and available options will be disussed. Also, General Counsel from the Illinois Farm Bureau will discuss landowner options and will answer any questions.