State Corn Acres Down, Soybeans Up

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois farmers planted 12 million acres of corn in 2013, or six percent less than the previous year, and harvested 11.8 million acres, four percent less than in 2012. This is according to the newly-released (Dec.10) Illinois Crop Production 2013 Summary issued by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Bushels per acre increased dramatically over drought-plagued 2012, with an estimated 178 bushels per acre– 73 bu./acre more than in 2012. Production was 2.10 billion bushels, a 63 percent improvement from 2012 and the third highest yield and production total on record.

At 9.45 million acres, soybean planted acreage in Illinois increased by four percent from 2012. The 9.42 million acres harvested represents a five percent improvement over the previous harvest. The estimated yield of 49 bu./acre is up six bushels from 2012 and is the third largest yield on record. Illinois led the nation in 2013 soybean production, with an estimated 462 million bushels, or 20 percent greater than 2012 production.

The report, which is available for download on the Illinois USDA-NASS website, also lists production totals for sorghum, winter wheat, oats, hay and summer potatoes.

ICGA: Corn Numbers Support Ethanol Growth

BLOOMINGTON – According to USDA-NASS’ December 10 U.S. Crop Production Report, American farmers produced a record setting 13.9 billion bushel corn crop in 2013. The announcement spurred the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) to renew its challenge against the EPA’s recommended volume obligations (RVOs) for corn ethanol for the 2014 U.S. Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

“We grew a record-breaking corn crop this year, and prices have fallen year over year more than they have in the last four decades. What’s wrong with this picture? EPA’s proposed rule,” said Gary Hudson, ICGA president, in a prepared statement. “The rule would lower demand even further and that’s flat-out bad news for family farmers and their communities.”

The ICGA is urging its members and pro-ethanol consumers to contact their elected officials and let them know they should urge the EPA to reconsider their RVOs during the current public comment period before finalizing the 2014 RFS. “Illinois needs to show up with a good number of people voicing their opinion against the EPA plan,” Hudson continued. “We’re hearing from DC that we really need to be seen on the EPA docket and heard with phone calls into our Congressional offices.”

Illinois’ ethanol industry creates $76.5 million in total public revenue, more than 4,000 jobs and $258 million in labor income, according to the ICGA. (ICGA news release)

IFCA Conference Offers Equipment Extraction Seminar

LAFAYETTE, IN. – Purdue University pesticide program director Dr. Fred Whitford recently published a booklet on safely freeing stuck (really stuck!) farm equipment. Now touring the Midwest in support of the publication, Whitford will offer a safety presentation during the 49th annual Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA) Conference and Trade Show at the Peoria Civic Center at 9:15 am Tuesday, January 21.

“Pulling out stuck equipment is not a passage to becoming a man. When we do it, we normally don’t know what we’re doing and what we’re using, and the consequences can be horrible,” he said. “If I could just get people to stop and think before they start jerking on equipment about how what they are jerking with can break and end up at the back of their head, then I would have accomplished something.”

“People run into trouble when they attach low-quality chains or those that are stretched, broken or heavily used to heavy farm equipment and start pulling,” Whitford said.

“Jerking or pulling on the chain when trying to move stuck, heavy equipment is often how the chains break. Don’t jerk the chain, and use a recovery strap– that’s what they are made for. And before you start pulling, pull the chain and strap tight, then get out of the truck and look at where the chain and strap are pulling against so they do not get cut,” Whitford advises. “Put something over the middle of the of the chain and strap, like a heavy floor mat, jacket or even an old tire, to provide weight in case of breakage. Then flip the lid of your truck tool box up to protect your rear window.” (More on the IFCA Conference: www.ifca.org)

Conservation Program Deadline Extended

CHAMPAIGN – The deadline for applications for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has been extended through February 7 for fiscal year 2014, Illinois State Conservationist Ivan Dozier announced last week. Dozier stated that the extension represents a chance for Illinois farmers and landowners to take a “bold step in the new year,” according to an Illinois NRCS news release.

As a farm bill conservation program, the CSP allows producers to ensure their operations are more productive and sustainable, according to NRCS Chief Jason Weller. “CSP can help them take their operations to the next level of natural resource management,” stated Weller.

Dozier added that a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill is pivotal to the NRCS continuing to offer landowner conservation programs such as CSP. The program provides cash reimbursements for farmers and others who make positive changes in soil quality, soil erosion, water quality and quantity, air quality, plant resources, animal resources and energy use.

To be eligible for this year’s CSP, landowners must have their applications turned into their local NRCS offices by the new closing date.

Illinois Farm Fact:

Illinois’ pork industry is the number one customer for Illinois soybeans. (ILAGRICULTURE.com)

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