Illinois Number-One Producer of Soybeans

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois has regained the title of top soybean producing state for the first time since 2003, the Illinois Soybean Association’s (ISA) Bill Raben announced during the Illinois Commodity Conference, held November 26 at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in downtown Normal.

“We’re proud this is happening in the same year we celebrate 100 years of Illinois soybean production and the 50th anniversary of the (ISA),” said Raben, ISA chairman and a soybean farmer from Ridgway. “ISA has set the goal to utilize 600 million bushels of Illinois soybeans by 2020, so now that we have reached this important milestone, it’s time to keep the momentum.”

According to the November 8 USDA Crop Production Report, Illinois farmers raised 460.6 million bushels of soybeans on 9.4 million acres, for an average yield of 49 bushels per acre, during 2013. Iowa finished second in production.

“While it’s true that weather was more in our favor this year than last, better management practices do make a difference in increasing yields,” said Raben. “To help soybean farmers reach the 600 million bushel goal, ISA invests checkoff funds in research, reaching new markets, education, agronomic resources and community outreach to help farmers increase yields and profit.”

COUNTRY Agent Witnesses Tornado, Aids Victims

METAMORA – Bill Christ, a COUNTRY Financial Agent who lives and works in Metamora and serves as District 7 director for the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, was a witness to the EF-4 tornado that destroyed over 1,000 homes in Washington and flattened farmhouses and outbuildings across northern Tazewell and southwestern Woodford counties on Sunday, November 17. After dropping off a rented tractor at Martin Bros. Implement east of Roanoke that morning, Christ was driving back toward Metamora with a hired worker when he saw the twister slashing through the countryside to his southwest.

“I could hear sirens, faintly, and when I looked west I couldn’t see Metamora, which is about ten miles away. To me the tornado appeared to be about an eighth-mile wide, compared to the half-mile wide rows we farm, and heading north,” Christ recounted. “Fifty-five gallon barrels and scraps of tin were dropping everywhere from machine sheds being (destroyed), so we hurried south on Route 116 to get back as the tornado went northeast.”

Helping his COUNTRY clients to find shelter and provide for their basic needs was the primary role of Christ’s insurance office in the immediate aftermath of the tornado, he said. “We have tried to make sure they have a place to stay. I have forwarded money on their claims for food, clothes, cars and lodging. Those are the essentials we have to take care of before getting into appraising their damages,” said Christ, adding that he has yet to see any financial estimates associated with area storm damages released by COUNTRY.

“You’ve got to realize the victims are going through a lot of psychological events. Some of them have children and it’s hard to explain to them why their bedrooms and toys are gone. I don’t think we emphasize enough that this was an extremely traumatic event to us older people, but these kids have never seen or imagined anything like this devastation,” Christ added.

ICGA Honors Award Winners at Comm-Con

BLOOMINGTON – Several people were honored during the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s (ICGA) annual meeting prior to the 2013 Illinois Commodity Conference for their work to support corn farmers. The award winners included Len Corzine, who was given the ICGA World of Corn award for individuals making significant contributions to the corn industry. The ICGA Environmental Award was bestowed on Nancy Erickson, retired Illinois Farm Bureau director of natural resources, for her commitment to conservation and environmental preservation.

Also given awards at the Commodity Conference, which was held November 26 in downtown Normal, were John Caupert from the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center, for contributions promoting the ethanol industry, and Holly Spangler, a reporter for Prairie Farmer magazine, for her efforts to promote agriculture in print media.

In addition, University of Illinois President Dr. Robert Easter was awarded the 2013 Friend of Agriculture award by all of the commodity groups comprising the Illinois Commodity Conference, for his leadership in livestock production and feeding for over 30 years.

Women in Agriculture Focus of Conference

BLOOMINGTON – Quincy’s John Wood Community College will host the fourth annual Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference on March 7, Illinois Corn’s Betty Finfrock announced last week. The conference serves as a single-day professional development seminar for female high school and college students interested in agriculture-related careers.

Representatives from Case New Holland, 1st Farm Credit Services, GROWMARK, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and others will meet students curious to explore various career paths in the ag industry during the event. Students will meet with potential employers at company booths and during breakout sessions to address agriculture, business and personal development topics.

“For those of you seeking a career where you can truly make a difference, this is where it’s at,” says Sarah Muirhead, keynote speaker for the 2013 women’s conference.

Those completing the seminar will have gained knowledge of applying for internships, received valuable career advice and helped to prepare themselves for a career in agriculture, organizers say. For more information or to register, visit www.womenchangingthefaceofagriculture.com. (Ill. Corn Daily Update)

Illinois Farm Fact:

It’s estimated that an additional $1 billion in SNAP benefits supports an additional 8,900 to 17,900 full-time-equivalent jobs– including 3,000 farm jobs. (WhiteHouse.gov)

(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for the News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications.)