by Tim Alexander

U of I to Develop Online Farm Bill Tools

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced May 29 that the USDA is awarding $6 million to universities– including the University of Illinois at Urbana– and cooperative state extension services to develop online decision tools and materials to train experts to educate farmers about new farm bill programs. The U of I, Vilsack announced, will take a lead role in development of the new web tools, along with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri and the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M. Those universities will receive $3 million to develop the online tools and train state-based extension agents to assist producers.

“Helping farmers and ranchers understand the new Farm Bill programs and what the programs mean for their families is one of USDA’s top priorities,” said Vilsack. “With the resources we’re providing, university experts will help ensure farmers and ranchers are highly educated as they make critical decisions about new programs that impact their livelihoods. The new tools that will be developed will empower farmers and ranchers to select the plan that best fits their unique needs.”

The U of I will help develop the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) program and will also develop the online resources for the newly established Margin Protection Program (MPP) for dairy and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). (USDA news release)

USDA to Survey Row Crop, Pork Producers

SPRINGFIELD – The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct major mid-year surveys of row crop and pork producers during June. First, the June Agricultural Survey and June Area Survey will reach out to 4,000 farmers across Illinois to determine crop production and supply levels in 2014.

“Due to the widespread impact of its results, the June Agricultural Survey, which we also refer to as Crops/Stocks Survey and the June area Survey, are two of the most important surveys NASS conducts,” said Mark Schleusener, NASS Illinois office director. “Information that growers provide serves as the first clear indication of the potential production and supply of major commodities in the United States for the 2014 crop year.”

Also in June, NASS will conduct its quarterly hogs and pigs survey, contacting pork producers for detailed inventories of market hog and breeding stock inventories as well as farrowing intentions. “We will mail the questionnaires to all producers selected for this survey in late May,” Schleusener said May 23. “We want to make sure that all survey participants have an opportunity to respond, which is why our interviewers will contact all producers who do not respond to conduct telephone and personal interviews.” (USDA-NASS Ill. office)

ISA: New Option for Asian Carp

BLOOMINGTON – Central Illinois residents have been grappling with what to do about invasive Asian carp in the Illinois River and its tributaries for years. The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), through research funded by the soybean checkoff, has determined a way to rid the waterways of some of the voracious, foreign species, which can decimate native aquatic populations, while providing an expanded market for soybean growers.

According to ISA, researchers at Southern Illinois University have found that combining soybean meal with fish meal made from Asian carp produces a more nutritious, sustainable and economical option for feeding some farm-raised fish. The research may solve several challenges faced by Midwestern fisheries and the aquaculture industry, according to Jesse Trushenski, associate professor at SIU’s Center for Fisheries Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences in Carbondale.

“Blending carp meal and soybean meal allowed us to use larger amounts of soybean meal. And, these diets offer a local alternative to marine-based fish meal,” noted Trushenski, in an ISA news release issued last week. “Previous SIU research established Asian carp meal as equal to or better than marine-based fish meal in aquaculture diets, and helped set standards for using soybean meal in aquaculture. We took our understanding of protein for carnivorous fish feed a step further by demonstrating synergies between local protein sources– soybeans and invasive fish.”

Area Positions Open on ICGA Board

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is offering farmers an opportunity to learn about Illinois’ agricultural history, develop media relations and PR skills, meet other Illinois leaders and network with elected officials and staff to create solutions to the issues facing corn production in Illinois. Those interested can become a candidate for a three-year director position on the ICGA board of directors in five districts, including district 8 (Peoria, Tazewell, Cass, Fulton, Logan, Mason and Menard counties).

According to ICGA’s Kayla Veeder, the board does not pay a per diem, but offers a unique experience to make a difference in your own farm operation and those of friends and neighbors, while helping build a strong industry for future generations. Travel, lodging and meeting expenses are reimbursed. ICGA members in each district elect their own representation by a mail-in ballot. Intentions must be announced at producers’ June 4-5 or August 19-20 ICGA board meeting, or farmers can complete a petition with at least 25 signatures of current members from their districts by September 1 for consideration.

A seat is also open for an at-large director serving the entire state. To request a petition or for further information, call the ICGA at (309) 557-3257. (ICGA news)

Illinois Farm Fact:

The Illinois Soybean Association’s SoyCam.com offers a firsthand, seasonlong view of soybean production. SoyCam offers perspectives from Illinois soybean producers on crop progress and weather challenges, among other topics. The SoyCam Twitter page (@soycam) also provides perspective. (ISA news release)

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