It’s Official: Illinois Corn Yields Suffered

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ corn for grain production in 2012 was at its lowest total since 1988, according to USDA’s Annual Crop Production Summary, issued January 11. Production dipped to 1.286 billion bushels in 2012, compared with 1.947 billion bushels produced in 2011. The final yield average of 105 bushels per acre was 52 bushels below 2011’s harvest, representing the lowest yield since 73 bu./acre was recorded in 1988.

“Drought conditions in 2012 brought about the low yields,” the USDA NASS-Illinois Field Office officially reported.

The soybean crop in illinois was adversely affected by the drought of 2012, though not to the same extent as corn. The final yield for the 2012 soybean crop was 43 bu./acre, 4.5 bu. lower than 2011’s average, according to the report. It was the lowest yield since 2003, when yields averaged 37 bushels. Total production reached 383,560,000 bushels, about ten percent lower than production during 2011, even though acres planted in 2012 were up 100,000 from 2011.

E-15 Tax Credits Set Aside by Ill. Lawmakers

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is expressing its dismay that a bill intended to extend tax credits that currently accrue to E-10 blended ethanol to benefit E-15 blends was “lost in the quagmire that is the Illinois General Assembly” during its recent lame-duck session. “While we’re disappointed, we’re not exactly surprised that this legislation was again not considered by the General Assembly,” stated Dave Loos, ICGA director of research and business development. “It was certainly the case with many issues this year, including pension.”

Loos and the ICGA were “somewhat optimistic” last year that the Consumer Fuel Choice for Illinois bill would be heard during the January session. The bill would transfer the sales tax incentive from E-10 to recently-approved E-15 blends, allowing ethanol to expand its market in Illinois. It would also generate more than $100 million in revenue to the state to help address its budget problem, according to Illinois Corn.

The bill will be introduced in the next General Assembly by co-sponsors Sen. John Sullivan and Rep. John Bradley. (ICGA Daily Update)

Gordyville Farm Show Nearing

GIFFORD – Historic Gordyville USA– a two-arena, 160,000 square foot exhibit facility founded by legendary auctioneer and horseman Gordon Hannagan and his wife, Jan– will host the Illinois Midwest Ag Expo (IMAE) when it returns to the Rantoul, Illinois, area January 23-24. Around 180 exhibitors showing off the latest in precision agriculture, tillage, planting and other products and implements will be on hand, according to show manager Gary Manke of the Midwest Equipment Dealers Association, which sponsors the event.

“The uniqueness of this show lies with its exhibitors; they are all from farm communities,” said Manke. “The show isn’t located near any large cities, it is in the middle of farm country where all of the attendees are located.”

Gordyville, which is equipped with food concessions, improved lighting and 40 acres of ground-level parking, is located approximately six miles east of Rantoul on State Highway 136. The IMAE draws around 5,000 farmers and their families to the two-day event. Doors open at 8:30 am on Wednesday, Jan. 23; the show concludes at 4:30 pm. Hours of operation on Thursday, Jan. 24 are 8:30 am to 3 pm.

ISA: Look Beyond Soybean Yields

BLOOMINGTON – As the downward trend in soybean protein and oil levels continues in Illinois and elsewhere, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has issued a white paper– “Looking Beyond Soybean Yields”– to help farmers understand how planting soybean varieties with greater levels of protein and oil can protect their profits and market share.

“Soybean quality has been studied for more than 30 years, but the industry has lacked a unified approach to address customer needs,” said Rowen Ziegler, ISA production committee chairman. “With Brazilian production ramping up every year, we face a real challenge to maintain our global market share and satisfy customers.”

The U.S.’ global market share of soybean exports fell 26 percent between 1991 and 2012. According to ISA researchers, the definition of high-yielding soybean varieties that meet industry standards and customer needs is those that produce around 35 percent protein and 19 percent oil. “It is up to us as soybean farmers to deliver the product that best meets our customers’ needs for protein and oil, or someone else will,” said Bill Raben, ISA vice chairman.

The ISA white paper is available online (www.ilsoy.org) and hard copies are available through the ISA office. It combines data from checkoff research, customer input and other soybean component data and includes charts, graphs and visuals to illustrate steps farmers can take to increase protein and oil content and quality. (ISA news release)

IFCA Welcomes Former Johnson Aid

BLOOMINGTON – Kevin Johnson, who most recently served as the agricultural liaison for retired Illinois Congressman Tim Johnson, has been hired by the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA) as their new director of government and industry relations. Among his many duties, Johnson will be instrumental in assisting the IFCA in implementing the many state and federal issues regarding the management of the new Nutrient Research and Education Council and the “Keep it for the Crop” nutrient stewardship program.

Kevin has great depth of knowledge on pesticide, fertilizer, water, transportation and energy issues and is well known in the ag industry. We look forward to having Kevin as a key part of our team,” the IFCA stated in an “Items of Interest” email to members last week.

Illinois Farm Fact:

Production of all hay in Illinois in 2012 was 1.49 million tons, six percent less than in 2011, though alfalfa hay production was up four percent to 990,000 tons.  (USDA-NASS Annual Crop Production Summary)

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