R. F. D. News & Views, February 13, 2013

Glasford Woman Pork Promoter of Year

PEORIA – Members of Illinois’ porcine community gathered en masse at the Peoria Civic Center February 5-6 for the 2013 Illinois Pork Expo and annual meeting of the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA). Along with electing new officers and hosting a trade show, the IPPA recognized 2013 award winners at their annual banquet held at the Four Points Sheraton in downtown Peoria.

Michelle Abel of Glasford was named the IPPA’s Pork Promoter of the Year for her advocacy of animal agriculture, which includes volunteering at the county and state level for several years. “She has been instrumental to the success of many activities and has freely given of her time and assisted in whatever way possible,” said IPPA executive director Jim Kaitschuk.

Also recognized were the Haag family of Haag Farms in Emington, who were recipients of IPPA’s Illinois Pork Producer Family of the Year. “The Haag family is an excellent example of the We Care principles for their care of their animals, the environment, their community, and their family,” said Dereke Dunkirk, IPPA president. Also feted was Ted Funk, recently retired University of Illinois Extension agricultural engineer, with IPPA’s Distinguished Service Award.

 

Good Year Ahead for Livestock Producers?

PEORIA – Pork, beef and even dairy producers could be poised for a profitable year if the grain market and feed prices cooperate, according to Nic Anderson of the Illinois Livestock Development Group. During a presentation at the Illinois Pork Expo in Peoria last week, Anderson said that livestock numbers in Illinois are increasing because of the state’s proximity to feed sources, packing plants and multi-modal transportation options, giving them a cost advantage over farmers and ranchers in other traditional cattle producing states.

“There have been supply changes on the beef side with a packing plant closing in Texas that will really impact that area greatly. A lot of cattle have moved back to the Midwest and Illinois has even seen increases. Better transportation, packing plant access and feed access has increased stability by attracting more cattle,” said Anderson. “We’re also seeing that on the pork side.”

A return to $4 per bushel corn– a favorite topic on ag-related websites last week– could result in a banner year for profitability across “each sector– beef, dairy and pork,” Anderson continued. “To get to $4 corn, we’re going to have to have a pretty good Brazilian corn crop. But if we go over our (domestic) trend yield we could see it. Weather will certainly affect (prices) as well,” he said.

 

NH3, Pesticide Applicator, Grain Training Courses Offered

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA) announced that pre- registration deadline for a series of safety schools is Thursday, Feb. 21. Focusing on liquid nitrogen handling, pesticide applications and grain bin safety, the course will be offered at the new Asmark Agricenter in Bloomington on March 1, and also will be conducted in Whittington, Charleston, Mendota, Monmouth, Quincy and Springfield from Feb. 26-March 8.

Pre-registration cost is $65; the cost rises to $75 after Feb. 21. these classes are sponsored by IFCA and and the Ill. Dept. of Agriculture. In addition, the Asmark Institute has announced registration for their professional applicator certification and safe grain handling operations courses. Contact Kevin Runkle of the IFCA at kevinr@ifca.com with questions regarding any of these seminars. (IFCA Items of Interest)

 

Goal of Yield Challenge: Meeting Demand

BLOOMINGTON – Online registration for the 2013 Soybean Yield Challenge will commence on April 15, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) announced on Feb. 8. “Our goal is to see the Yield Challenge not only boost soybean yields in Illinois, but also help us meet growing world demand for soybeans,” said Ross Prough, ISA yield target area vice chair.

Established three years ago by the ISA and funded by the soybean checkoff in Illinois, the Challenge encourages farmers’ use of innovative technologies that could help boost yields. “Soybeans have so much potential to become an even higher value crop,” Prough continued. “The Yield Challenge is the perfect opportunity for farmers to test their knowledge, techniques and experience a paradigm shift. The only way we move the needle on soybean yields is to attempt practices that have never been done before.”

Teams have been eliminated from the event for 2013, so only individual farmers– with any help they desire from agronomists or technology sponsors– may enter. District yield winners will receive cash prizes, though all soybean producers profit from the shared knowledge gleaned from the Challenge’s harvest results. Complete details can be found at www.soyyieldchallenge.com. (ISA news release)

 

Soy Farmers Meet Asian Shippers

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) directors and staff recently returned from a checkoff-funded mission to Asia to seek ways to improve delivery of Illinois soybeans to customers around the world. The trip was focused on how transportation and logistics can be improved to ensure producers’ soybeans reach international markets more competitively, according to ISA marketing committee chairman Ron Kindred of Atlanta, Ill.

“Efficient transportation is imperative to reach our goal, so this trip was an opportunity to align with shippers. We want to make sure we provide our soybeans to them where, when and how they want them so they can deliver our soybeans to end users effectively,” said Kindred. While there, the group showcased how Illinois’ extensive transportation network for bulk and containerized soybeans to U.S. ports via truck, rail and barge.

“The trip was definitely a success, but it is yet to be seen what the next steps will be,” said Bill Wykes, an ISA district chairman. We have started the conversation, and will continue to be a conduit for improving efficiencies throughout the supply chain to bring value back to Illinois soybean farmers.” (ISA news release)

 

Illinois Farm Fact:

The total number of cattle and calves in Illinois on January 1, 2013, was 1.2 million head, 50,000 above last year’s total and the first January 1 increase since 2007. (USDA-NASS Illinois Farm Report of Feb. 4)

 

 

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