House Fails to Advance Farm Bill

BLOOMINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives’ failure to pass the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (2013 farm bill) means Illinois farm leaders– and the entire nation– will continue to face an uncertain future regarding federal crop insurance and SNAP benefits. On June 20, the FARRM Act was defeated by a full House vote of 234-195.

“It’s extremely disappointing, bordering on shocking, to be nine months into a farm bill extension and then see a bill that would have offered real and meaningful reform fail to pass,” said Paul Taylor, president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, in a prepared statement. “We hope that the House of Representatives can start this process again and revise the bill to a point where it can ultimately be passed as it is important to farmers, rural America and the American economy.”

Ron Kindred, marketing committee chair for the Illinois Soybean Association, said he had been optimistic the House would come to agreement on a farm bill, though he wasn’t ecstatic about the price-based loss coverage program featured in the House bill. “We do not oppose a revenue-based program or updating payment acres, but we don’t want to distract from the fundamental need to maintain planting flexibility and market orientation in the farm bill,” he said. “We would like to see any price-based program, be decoupled.”

2013 “Less Buggy” Than Last Year?

PEKIN – During a recent conversation about the topsy-turvy planting season with Doug Godke, manager of the Tazewell County Farm Bureau, Doug mentioned a possible reduction in the amount of flying insects and crop pests compared to months of June in recent years. “Just from my own personal observations, I have not really noticed as many bugs this year as what we’ve had in the past. I don’t know if this is a result of last summer or a result of the wet spring,” he said. “Normally at this time of year we have a bunch of June bugs and other pests. I haven’t noticed them.”

We asked Patrick Kirchhofer, Godke’s counterpart across the Illinois River with the Peoria County Farm Bureau, if it seemed “less buggy” there as well. “I would agree with Doug. I have not heard of any pest problems yet,” Kirchhofer responded. “It’s still early, and much of the crop, especially soybeans, is just germinating and getting a good start.”

But according to University of Illinois entomologist Michael Gray, both soybean and corn pests could make an appearance in central Illinois at any time. An early spring survey of overwintering soybean aphids concluded aphids were more abundant than in the spring of 2012, and western corn rootworm hatches were discovered in west central Indiana, Gray reported in the bulletin, the U of I’s online newsletter for agricultural pest updates and farm economics.

Soybean College Comes With Steak Dinner

BLOOMINGTON – Soybean production knowledge and management skills will be offered during Farm Journal’s annual Soybean College, a one-day event to be held near Heyworth on July 24. In addition to an agenda built around topics of essential interest to soybean producers featuring tips that can be applied to producers’ own farming operations, the event– which costs $100– also includes lunch and a steak dinner.

“We are committed to the future of soybean farming– which means educating growers on how they can advance production skills, increase yields and improve profitability,” said Rowen Ziegler, production committee chair for the Illinois Soybean Association, which is co-sponsoring the Soybean College with the Illinois soybean checkoff.

Featured presenters include Farm Journal agronomist Ken Ferrie, University of Illinois agronomist Fred Below and Southern Illinois University weed scientist Bryan Young.

Registration is limited to 200 participants. Opening remarks begin at 7:30 a.m. The agenda, registration form and further information are available online at ilsoy.org/SoybeanCollege. (ISA news release)

Conservation Tour to Visit Central illinois

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN. – An annual, national conservation tour will focus on Livingston County in central Illinois. The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) 2013 Conservation in Action Tour will spotlight several farms in the county on July 9 and 10, bringing together farmers, crop advisors, conservationists and others interested in learning and sharing on-farm conservation practices.

“We’re focusing on central Illinois and Livingston County in part because we’ve had the pleasure of working with a great group of farmers, the conservation district, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and others on a CTIC project that has been on the ground there for the past three years,” said Karen Scanlon, CTIC executive director, in a phone interview. “It’s also a chance to showcase initiatives farmers have taken on by themselves. There are a lot of great conservation success stories to tell in Livingston County, and that’s why we wanted to bring the tour there.”

This year’s CTIC Tour will focus on soil health, nutrient management, drainage water management, aerial seeding of cover crops, rotational grazing systems, animal health and manure management, among other topics. The tour, which will originate from the Normal (McLean County) Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, will make stops at the Bachtold, Kilgus and Trainor farms in Livingston County, respectively. There is a fee for the tour, and hotel accommodations are separate. More information can be found at www.ctic.org/CIATours or by phoning (765) 494-9555.

Illinois Farm Fact:

There was a 28 percent increase in soybean plantings in Illinois from June 10-17. (USDA-NASS Illinois Field Office)

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