IL Dept of Ag Investigating Unsolicited Foreign Seeds Sent Through USPS
By Benjamin Cox on July 29, 2020 at 6:05am
The Illinois Department of Agriculture is urging citizens to contact them if they receive an unsolicited envelope containing seeds from a foreign country. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working to address reports of unsolicited shipments of seeds from foreign countries to unknowing citizens. Anyone who receives unordered seeds in the […]
June Acreage Report Reveals Robust Planting of Corn, Soybeans
By Benjamin Cox on July 2, 2020 at 6:00am
The Illinois June Acreage report released yesterday revealed the Illinois farmers revealed that corn, soybeans, and hay acreage is up from last year. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener details corn and soybeans: “Area planted to corn totals 10.9 million acres, up 4% from last year and down 4% from the March planting intentions report published […]
IDNR Begins NRCS Cover Crop Program At Waterfowl Sites
By Benjamin Cox on May 14, 2020 at 9:06am
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is using some extra funds from a natural partnership to help with farmland conservation, improve water quality, and increase waterfowl habitat in West Central Illinois. IDNR has received a total of more than $8 million from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service through its Regional Partnership Program. The partnership […]
JBS Remains Open Despite Surge in Cass COVID-19 Numbers
By Benjamin Cox on May 5, 2020 at 5:55am
JBS in Beardstown continues to stay open as the nation becomes gripped with a possible severe meat shortage. Andrew English of the Cass County Health Department said last week that communication with the plant and the health department remains steady. “We’ve been on the phone with them weekly, sometimes daily to make sure that everything […]
IL Corn Marketing Board & IL Soybean Association Delivering Hand Sanitizer to Local Ag Industry
By Benjamin Cox on April 30, 2020 at 11:56am
The Illinois Corn Marketing Board and Illinois Soybean Association are doing their part to keep the local agriculture industry safe. Using Illinois corn and soybeans, the group financed corn-based ethanol hand sanitizer made at Marquis Energy in Hennepin, Illinois in conjunction with glycerin from soybeans made at Renewable Energy Group. Marty Marr of the local […]
LaHood Helps Expedite Waiver To Convert Galva Ethanol Plant To Make Hand Sanitizer
By Benjamin Cox on April 6, 2020 at 4:07pm
18th District Congressman Darin LaHood helped an Illinois ethanol business expedite a federal waiver to make hand sanitizer. LaHood, Global Impact Innovation, and Big River Resources in Galva, Illinois announced that GII will use portions of Big River Resource’s plant to produce hand sanitizer from corn-based ethanol in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. LaHood says […]
USDA’s RMA Makes Crop Insurance Changes For Soybeans & Sorghum
By Benjamin Cox on February 27, 2020 at 5:42am
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) made changes for the 2020 crop year to improve crop insurance for Illinois soybean and grain sorghum producers. The earliest plant date for soybeans was moved from April 20 to April 15 for the central parts of Illinois to reflect changing agronomics. This change doesn’t affect when producers can […]
Timber Sales & Taxes Seminar from U of I Extension in Carrollton Feb 15
By Benjamin Cox on February 5, 2020 at 9:01am
An upcoming seminar at the University of Illinois Extension Office in Carrollton will help local timber owners maximize their sale potential and navigate the tricky world of Illinois taxes. The Timber Sales and Taxes Seminar will be held on Saturday, February 15th from 9AM to Noon. Morgan County U of I Extension Office lead Duane […]
IL Ag Director Sullivan Resigns Amid McClain Email Controversy
By Benjamin Cox on January 13, 2020 at 2:37pm
The head of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, John Sullivan, has resigned amid fallout from the July 2012 email controversy surrounding Quincy lobbyist Michael McClain. In correspondence from Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office today, Sullivan’s resignation was asked for by the governor because of his alleged knowledge of the email between McClain and then-Governor Pat Quinn’s […]
FEMA Denies IL’s Appeal For Flooding Individual Assistance
By Benjamin Cox on November 9, 2019 at 5:59am
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has once again denied Illinois individual assistance for residents to rebuild after the 2019 historic flooding. FEMA denied Illinois’ appeal yesterday to help residents in the 22 counties effected by the flooding on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s contingency plan is to seek a disaster […]