Doug Yoder, crop agency manager for COUNTRY Financial, will speak about crop insurance and the farm bill at the Peoria County Farm Bureau auditorium on Jan. 25. (Tim Alexander photo)

It’s official: after months of speculation, Illinois has reclaimed the title of Soybean Capitol of the World with the announcement of the final 2016 crop production numbers. Oh, and Illinois farmers managed to grow a little corn, as well. Also this week, we have news of some interesting educational seminars coming to the Peoria area in the next few weeks to help pass the cold winter days. For more information, please read on …

Final 2016 crop production numbers released

SPRINGFIELD — USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) issued its final 2016 Illinois Crop Production Summary last week, confirming Illinois’ status as the top state for soybean yield and production with new record highs. Soybean planted area, at 10.1 million acres, was up 3 percent from 2015, while corn planted declined by 1 percent. The soybean yield was estimated at 59 bushels per acre, up three bushels from 2015 and a new state record. Soybean production soared to record high 593 million bushels, a 9 percent increase from last year’s production, according to the Jan. 12 report.

Though somewhat lost in the excitement, Illinois corn growers harvested the second highest yield and third highest production on record for the state. This was in spite of the 1 percent reduction in planted area, and largely due to a yield increase to 197 bu./acre, a 22 bu. increase over 2015. Corn production was tabbed at 2.26 billion bushels, up 12 percent from last year, according to NASS.

Soybean, corn leaders respond to crop numbers

BLOOMINGTON — Farmer leaders with the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) issued press statements immediately, following the release of the final 2016 USDA-NASS Illinois Crop Production Summary on Jan. 12. Leaders from both organizations stressed that when yields increase, their focus turns to creating and expanding markets for their members’ products.

“Knowing that we are the top soybean-producing state is about more than the high yields our producers achieve,” noted Craig Ratajczyk, ISA CEO. “This is also about our customer service. At ISA, our focus now is getting the product out efficiently to market and creating demand for our soybeans. We recognize that market access is vital and work collaboratively to ensure that.”

ICGA President Justin Durdan of Utica said with production and yields high and demand remaining steady, Illinois corn farmers should be excited about the 2016 numbers. “We have increased exports considerably, and see increases in feed and ethanol use as well,” he said.

“With a larger carryout number and a higher production, ICGA knows that we need to continue working on markets and building demand to utilize corn that our members are growing each year. We’re making that a priority.”

Illinois Farm Fact:

The 593 million bushels of soybeans produced in 2016 by Illinois growers — a state record — eclipsed the 2015 crop of 544 million bu. by nearly 50 million bu. This places Illinois growers well on their way to ISA’s stated goal of utilizing 600 million bu. of soybeans by 2020. (Illinois Soybean Association)

CSA grower to speak at nature center

PEORIA HEIGHTS — Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is the most sustainable model for agriculture and for eating, according to Henry Brockman, a central Illinois farmer who has grown more than 650 types of vegetables in more than 25 years. Brockman, who feels today’s agriculture model produces food waste, excess energy use, and pollution of the soil, air and water, will discuss why buying food from a local CSA makes a big difference to the environment and individual health during his free presentation at Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights at 7 p.m. Feb. 15.

The event is sponsored by the Heart of Illinois Group of the Sierra Club. Club president Joyce Blumenshine said in the club’s newsletter that CSA members subscribe to a local farm — just as you would subscribe to a newspaper or magazine. “But instead of getting reading material each week, you get eating material — just harvested, delicious and nutritious, peak of the season vegetables,” Blumenshine said. “Doing something as simple as this has a great positive impact on your health, and the health of the environment because you are getting produce grown in a way that’s good for the soil, air, water, and every living thing — from the field to your family.”

For more information, contact Blumenshine at joblumen@yahoo.com. 

PCFB to host array of presentations

PEORIA — The Peoria County Farm Bureau (PCFB) is welcoming a bumper crop of special speakers and presenters to its auditorium on Jan. 25 and Feb. 7. Doug Yoder, the crop agency manager for COUNTRY Financial, will speak at 9 a.m. Jan. 25 on crop insurance, and the current and future farm bill. Yoder’s PowerPoint presentation will be followed by a second speaker, Mark Schleusener, the Illinois State Statistician for USDA-NASS.

Yoder, a career grain merchandiser and buyer in addition to a crop insurance specialist, will focus his presentation on ARC-CO and PLC payments to date and future projections. He will also talk about expectations for the 2018 Farm Bill soon to be debated in Congress.

Yoder personalizes his presentations by lasering in on crop insurance trends and payout histories in his audience’s county of residence. Schleusener will discuss how USDA-NASS surveys and subsequent reports work to provide timely, accurate and useful statistics in service to American agriculture.

A second round of speakers will appear at the PCFB auditorium at 10 a.m. Feb. 7. Mike McClellan, president of the Mobile Weather Team, will offer a 2017 growing season forecast for central Illinois farmers. McClellan will be followed by Craig Kilby, a team sales agronomist for Beck’s seed company, and Clayton Stufflebeam, a Beck’s researcher who leads Beck’s’ Downs, Illinois research location. The pair will offer a review of their findings from seed technology trials conducted by Beck’s during the 2016 growing season.

Lunch will be offered at both gatherings. Admission is free for farm bureau members; a small fee applies for non-members. For more information on these useful seminars, contact the PCFB office at (309) 686-7070.

–R.F.D. NEWS & VIEWS–