Illinois farmers want carbon pipeline moratorium, eminent domain protection

Investors are looking to acquire farmland in north-central Illinois. Compeer Financial certified appraiser Nicole Schaefer works out of Ottawa and says tracts continue coming up for sale. “With a lot of it lately we’ve been seeing investors come in the market, so that typically drives the price up.” She tells...

For the first time in a decade, the Illinois Farm Bureau has a new president.  Brian Duncan of Ogle County is the newly elected president of the Illinois Farm Bureau.  He says there is a laundry list of issues facing farmers. “The opportunity with sustainable aviation fuel and what that...

The Fall Covers for Spring Savings program from the Illinois Department of Agriculture returns for another year. Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello says the program has been crucial to the state’s nutrient loss reduction efforts.  “About 5 years ago it took us about 12 days to fill 50,000 acres,” he...

Illinois Farm Bureau president Rich Guebert has spent the last 10 years representing Illinois farmers on a state, national, and global stage. Throughout his term, he’s met with two sitting Presidents, two Secretaries of Agriculture, and the Speaker of the U.S. House.  “I’m going to be forever grateful that I...

Illinois Farm Bureau members are preparing for policy debate. President Rich Guebert says regardless of the policy issue, there’s one topic that remains top of mind for members.  “Property rights have been the holy grail of everything,” he says.  “Going back to the first years of Farm Bureau.  It’s really...

Antitrust lawsuits filed by farmers against John Deere will proceed after a federal judge in Illinois rejected the company’s motion for dismissal. John Deere had asked the U.S. District Court in Northern Illinois to dismiss the case, claiming that it has neither deceived nor surprised farmers with its longstanding repair...

The chairman of the US Soybean Export Council says diversifying soy export opportunities is key to maintaining robust trade. Stan Born an Illinois farmer says more effort is being spent on developing markets outside of China and India. “Any place where there is a growing population, young populations, or urbanization...

Illinois farmers were able to complete much of their field work last week, as the chilly temperatures remained above freezing. USDA officials say the harvest is wrapped up and soil moisture levels could still use some help.  As of Sunday, topsoil moisture ratings were 7% surplus, 46% adequate, 34% short,...

A central Illinois farmer says his 2023 corn and soybean crops were better than he expected, especially with this year’s growing season. Stan Born tells Brownfield his corn was just about average. “Maybe five to 10 bushels above average,” he says. “Soybeans were pretty good. Typically, our average is about...

Illinois farmers are about finished with harvesting, and are focused on fall field work. USDA reporters say there were only a few hours last week that were not suitable for field work, as scattered rains dropped less than two-one hundreths of an inch of precipitation. Soil conditions remain dry, with...

The Monday corn session closed near the highs with 10 ¾ to 13 ¾ cent gains. Crop Progress data from NASS showed corn harvest advanced 7% points to 88% complete as of 11/12. That compares to 86% on average. The report showed Illinois was 95% harvested, and Iowa was 94%...

In this episode of IL Corn Connection, Managing Director Jim Tarmann explains how the official designation of the Corn Belt Ports by the Army Corps of Engineers has created more opportunities for the transportation of Illinois grain. ...

The USDA says Illinois farmers have completed this year’s soybean harvest and are nearly done with corn. As of Sunday, 95% of the state’s corn crop has been harvested, compared to the five-year average of 91%. Eighty-five percent of the expected wheat crop has emerged with 73% of the crop...

Across the Corn Belt, dry weather favors late-season harvest efforts.  By November 5, the Midwestern soybean harvest ranged from 70% complete in Michigan to 95% or greater in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and the Dakotas.  Despite recent precipitation, topsoil moisture was still rated at least one-half very short to short...