R.F.D. NEWS & VIEWS: For Illinois Farmers and Rural Dwellers

By Tim Alexander for Chronicle Media

 The Soil Health Partnership is sponsoring summer soil health workshops around Illinois through Sept. 9. (Illinois Corn photo)

The Soil Health Partnership is sponsoring summer soil health workshops around Illinois through Sept. 9. (Illinois Corn photo)

University of Illinois-Urbana agricultural economist Gary Schnitkey has issued his revised revenue projections for 2016 and 2017 corn and soybeans; we have a summary. Many in agriculture are questioning the science behind the EPA’s latest draft report on atrazine. The Illinois Pork Producers Association is upset with Chicago Tribune reporters. With those stories and more, here’s your weekly recap of news and views for Illinois farmers and rural dwellers …

Economist: Expect low revenues into 2017

URBANA — Though much can still occur to cause both prices and yields to change, it is “prudent” to expect low revenues for corn and soybeans to continue through this year and into 2017, advises Gary Schnitkey, agricultural economist for the University of Illinois at Urbana. For an example of the uncertainties, “options markets suggest considerable variability in the price of the December 2016 Chicago Mercantile Exchange corn contract, with a 12 percent chance the December contract having a price above $4 per bushel, and 20 percent chance that the December price will be below $3 per bushel,” according to Schnitkey, who issued his updated price projections on August 2.

Revenue will be down from 2015 levels after a price jump that had many farmers hopeful for a profitable 2016 for crops, pushing farmers who didn’t cut costs below the price point or break-even mark for profitability, Schnitkey projected. For high-productivity farmland in central Illinois, projected corn yield per acre is 220 bushels, with a price projection of $3.50 per bushel. It would provide crop revenue of $770 per acre (including ARC, PLC, ACRE and other possible government payments), up $16 per acre from 2015 but down by .27 cents per acre in price. Corn revenue had reached a modern-era high of $1,086 per acre in 2011, when corn averaged $6.24 per bushel.

Soybean yield for 2016 is estimated at 65 bu./acre with a price of $9.50/bu., and gross revenue of $653/acre. Schnitkey noted that there exists “a fairly good chance that revenues will be lower in 2017 as compared to 2016. Hence, there will be a continuing need to cut costs, particularly for those operations with low amounts of working capital.”

To read Schnitkey’s entire essay, visit www.farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2016/08/corn-soybean-revenue-projections-2016-2017.html.

Corn growers question atrazine findings

BLOOMINGTON — Illinois Corn is supportive of a statement from an official of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) calling into question the science and logic behind the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent draft report on atrazine. NCGA’s Brent Hostetler, a farmer from Plain City, Ohio, and chair of NCGA’s production and stewardship action team, said the draft report ignores a large body of scientific evidence that supports the safety of the herbicide and sets a dangerous precedent for all approved crop protection tools.

“Federal law requires the EPA to base its decisions on science. And the science on this is pretty clear. Atrazine is one of the safest and most effective crop management tools farmers have. It’s also one of the most studied pesticides in history — and more than 50 years worth of data show it is safe,” stated Hostetler.

Hostetler was referring to EPA’s draft ecological risk assessment issued in June that recommends an “aquatic life level of concern” be raised for the product, seemingly reversing its findings from studies its own Science Advisory Panel called “flawed” as recently as 2012. “This sets a dangerous precedent for all crop protection tools. Atrazine deserves a thorough review based on sound science. This report does not meet that standard,” said Hostetler.

Illinois Corn, along with NCGA, is urging farmers to voice concerns at www.FightEPA.com.

Illinois Farm Fact:

The Illinois State Fair in Springfield runs August 12-21, 2016!

IPPA leader blasts Tribune reporters

SPRINGFIELD — “There comes a time in many of our lives when we find ourselves standing at a crossroads, faced with a hard decision and must decide which path to take,” began Bob Frase, president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA), in a letter to Illinois pig farmers and ag media dated Aug. 3. Frase wasn’t referring to a personal or family decision, however; he was alluding to his decision to encourage access to Illinois hog and pig farms for Chicago Tribune investigative reporters David Jackson and Gary Marx. The two scribes had asked for the support of the state organization in providing a fair and balanced article focusing on the pork industry. With the blessing of the IPPA, National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council, some Illinois pork producers “graciously opened their farms to these reporters, spent hours on the phone answering detailed questions and put their reputations and livelihoods on the line for the greater good of the pork industry,” according to Frase.

However, the pork ambassadors’ “voice was not heard and … the promised balance was not conveyed to (Tribune) readers,” Frase said in his letter. “I want to personally take a moment to thank those individuals who took the time from their busy schedules to share their life experiences and knowledge about our industry in a positive thought-provoking manner. Pig farmers are constantly looking for ways to improve the way we raise our pigs and finding better ways to safeguard the environment for our families, neighbors and future generations. This is our top priority.”

Soil health field days coming up

BLOOMINGTON — There is still time to attend a peer-hosted soil health field day sponsored by the Soil Health Partnership, an initiative of the National Corn Growers Association. Remaining field days include August 15 in Hudson, Aug. 19 in Assumption, September 1 in Rutland, Sept. 7 in Kirkland, Sept. 8 in Trivoli and Sept. 9 in Hoopeston.

“Healthy soil is more resistant to drought, and more resilient to floods– along with being an effective strategy for improving water and air quality,” says Jim Isermann, Soil Health Partnership Illinois field manager. “Our farmer-partners are innovators and pioneers, and make the best teachers for sharing good soil health practices with their peers.” For more information, visit www.SoilHealthPartnership.org. (Illinois Corn Daily Update)

–R.F.D. NEWS & VIEWS: For Illinois Farmers and Rural Dwellers–