The Dave Conrady pig farm in Logan County was the site of an educational tour for area county board members hosted by the Illinois Pork Producers Association on July 22. (IPPA photo)

In this week’s report, we’ll look at the latest commodity prices– how far have they fallen in the past few weeks in light of USDA’s most recent harvest projections? Also: July was very wet across Illinois. How did the rainfall stack up, historically? In addition, the Illinois Soybean Association has elected new leadership, and a community college has designed a curriculum for farmers wishing to learn more about watershed management.

Prices plunge after USDA projections

DEER CREEK — USDA’s July 12 Crop Production Report hinted that record U.S. crop harvests for both corn and soybeans may be forthcoming this fall. Accordingly, prices for both commodities plunged. Kim Craig, grain merchandiser for Bell Enterprises, which operates four central Illinois grain elevators, said on July 28 that fall corn prices slid by .23 cents per bushel, while fall soybean prices have fallen a whopping $1.10/bu. since the issuance of the USDA report.

“Yes, we’re going to have a big crop,” said Craig. “But I don’t think we’re looking at an average 270 to 300-bushel per acre corn crop. I predict an average 230 to 240 yield similar to the 2014 corn crop.”

According to USDA’s July 29 Illinois Agricultural Prices report, June corn averaged $3.92/bu. In Illinois, nine cents above the May average and .27 cents more than last year’s June price of $3.65. Illinois soybeans averaged $10.60/bu., up .50 cents from May’s price and .83 cents ahead of last year’s value. These prices reflected the market before USDA’s latest Crop Production Report killed the price rally farmers had recently enjoyed.

July 3rd-wettest in Illinois history

URBANA — Illinois’ statewide monthly precipitation averaged 6.73 inches as of July 28, making it the third-wettest July on record, reported Jim Angel, Illinois State Climatologist with the Illinois Water Survey. “Like the children of Lake Wobegon, all of Illinois is above average on rainfall (except for a few small pockets),” Angel noted in his weekly weather blog.

Total rainfall for the month received a huge boost the week ending July 24, according to USDA’s Illinois Crop Progress and Condition report, with a statewide average of 2.06 inches– 1.02 inches above normal. Consequently, topsoil moisture was estimated at 83 percent adequate and ten percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 85 percent adequate and six percent surplus.

Soybean growers take leadership roles

BLOOMINGTON — Daryl Cates, a Columbia, Illinois farmer, was re-elected as chairman during the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) board’s annual meeting in Springfield last week. The rest of the ISA executive committee was re-instated, including Stan Born, Doug Schroeder, Jared Hooker, John Longley and John Hagenbuch.

“We will concentrate on a new strategic plan in my second year as chairman,” said Cates, in an ISA news release dated July 29. “I’m excited about our future.”

ISA’s new board-approved strategic plan will promote preference of Illinois soy for export markets, biodiesel and animal agriculture; optimize farmer profitability through business management, yield and sustainable production practices; expand the reach and influence of ISA through member, corporate, industry and advocacy efforts; ensure Illinois soybeans and soybean products reach their intended destination efficiently, and increase effective, progressive leadership in the organization.

To learn more about becoming an ISA board member, visit www.ilsoy.org/leadership.

Illinois farm fact:

The wettest July in Illinois recorded history occurred in 1958, with 8.10 inches. 1992 was second, with 7.61 inches. (Illinois Water Survey)

Lincoln Land offering watershed management

SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield campus) has designed two Agricultural Watershed Management programs for farmers and their trusted advisors to learn efficient and sustainable methods for preserving water quality and other issues affecting sensitive watersheds– many of which provide the main source for drinking water for area residents. Traditional agriculture and environmental sciences students may also register for the course, which begin on August 22, October 18, January 10, 2017 and March 14, 2017 on the LLCC Springfield campus.

“Agricultural nutrient loss reduction and sediment retention are very valuable in today’s farming economy, resulting in a higher net income for the producer while increasing land values to the owner,” said David Bowman, workforce coordinator and developer of the Agricultural Watershed curriculum. “This pioneering new program is a cross between hands-on laboratory practice and online learning for emerging agricultural watershed management technologies, and align within stated goals of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.”

Bowman added that he expected the program to contribute to nutrient and soil sediment health in the Lake Springfield watershed area and in priority watershed areas across the state. (Ill. Corn Daily Update)

Organic growers hosting workshop, field day

URBANA — The ACES library at the University of Illinois-Urbana will be the site of a workshop designed to raise awareness of the potential for regionally-adapted grain to serve growing local and regional markets, the Illinois Organic Growers Association (IOGA) announced. The September 9 (8 a.m.-noon) workshop will feature expert speakers from the U of I Extension, U of I Dept. of Crop Sciences, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society and University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information, email Carmen Ugarte (cugarte@illinois.edu) or Bill Davison (wdavison@illinois.edu).

In addition, IOGA will hold its annual Illinois Local Grains and Local Markets Field Day Saturday, September 10 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) at Janie’s Farm, 854E 2300N, in Danforth. The event will feature presentations, discussions, lunch ($12, optional) and field tours including a mill and ongoing corn and bean variety trials. For more info visit www.illinoisorganicgrowers.org/Illinois-local-grains-and-local-markets-workshop-field-day/.

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