The deputy director of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance says a proposal to introduce a new per acre fee for taking agricultural land out of production is gaining momentum in the General Assembly. Liz Rupel says proceeds from the Agricultural Land Conservation Act would benefit local soil and water conservation districts....

A former chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board says U.S. farmers are teaching their customers in Mexico how to better handle and utilize American-grown corn. Jon Rosenstiel, who farms in northern Illinois, says Mexico continues to be the largest export market for U.S. corn.  “They experience some quite different...

The director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture says there’s more grain in storage in the state than usual. Jerry Costello tells Brownfield, “We’re exceedingly high compared to what our norms are.”  He says, “We had the highest amount of stored grain of any state in the United States. Normally...

County fairs across three states are receiving a boost thanks to Compeer Financial. Karen Schieler, manager of corporate giving, says the company’s County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program has awarded $242,000 to 61 county fairs in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. “Upgrading hog pens, a lot of electrical updates, a lot...

An agronomist with Bayer says accurate weather forecasts are vital for modern agriculture. Lance Tarochione, who covers west central Illinois, says farmers rely on weather data, especially during planting season. “Farmers are more obsessed with weather than weather men are I think.”  He says, “We can’t help but look at...

The deputy director of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance says a proposal gaining momentum in the state legislature would expand on-farm processing exemptions for poultry producers. Liz Rupel tells Brownfield it would increase the state’s exemption from 5,000 chickens per year. “We are asking for it to increase to 7,500 to...

A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee is optimistic that year-round, nationwide E-15 could soon be a reality. Illinois congresswoman Nikki Budzinski says the recent EPA waiver allowing nationwide summertime sales is a good sign. “With this waiver coming out of the administration, we know they’re paying attention to...

An atmospheric scientist says a decent planting window is expected for much of the Corn Belt in the next week. Eric Snodgrass is with Nutrien Ag Solutions. “Most of Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and the whole Western Corn Belt, except Kansas, has wide open windows coming, and those are starting...