Illinois Price Report Shows Corn’s Decline

SPRINGFIELD – Corn has fallen in value in Illinois by more than one-third over the past year, according to the new Illinois Agricultural Prices report from the USDA-NASS Illinois Field Office. Corn prices received by farmers were at $7.05 per bushel in February of 2013, but had plummeted to an estimated $4.50/bu. in value by February 15, 2014. Soybean values also decreased during the period, from $14.70/bu. to $13.20/bu., according to the Feb. 28 report.

In addition, the Illinois Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes and Farm Wage Rates for February stands at 107, unchanged from January but one point above February of last year. “Higher prices in February for concentrates, feeder pigs, LP gas, and complete feeds offset lower prices for supplements, feeder cattle, potash and phosphate, and nitrogen,” the report stated.

USDA Agricultural Price Program updates are posted at www.nass.usda.gov.

Report Details Illinois Corn’s Journey

BLOOMINGTON – While waiting to get a new crop in the ground this spring, Illinois Corn’s Tricia Braid offered an update on where Illinois’ 2013 corn crop went. She noted that Illinois is a net exporter of corn and sends more out than any other state. This can be credited to Illinois’ superior, multi-tiered transportation system for agricultural commodities. With that in mind, here’s where the majority of Illinois’ estimated 2,100,000,000 bushel corn crop from 2013 ended up: 1) Processing in-state (941,000,000 bu.), 2) exported out of state (781,000,000 bu.), 3) residual use in-state (158,000,000 bu.) and 4) feed use in-state (115,000,000 bu.).

Braid notes that the hog industry is “by far” the largest in-state livestock user of corn. The ethanol industry accounts for slightly more than half of the in-state processing of corn, she added. (ill. Corn Daily Update)

Web Panel Warns of WCR Bt Resistance

URBANA – If you have been planting corn with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) genetics possessing a certain CRY (crystal) protein and have experienced insect resistance, you can rest assured you are not alone. In fact, the development of resistance to a CRY protein in Bt corn by western corn rootworm (WCR) has many Corn Belt farmers concerned, according to Mike Gray, entomologist for the University of Illinois at Urbana Department of Crop Sciences.

“There has been a lot of interest regarding WCR because of the development of resistance to a particular type of Bt protein,” Gray said, shortly after hosting an online corn rootworm management webinar supported by a grant from USDA-NIFA North Central IPM (integrated pest management) Program. Webinar panelists concurred that Corn Belt producers should adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) program suited to their particular operations in order to best manage Bt-resistant corn rootworm colonies. IPM programs involve the use of multi-tiered layers and long term strategies of defense against crop pests such as the WCR.

“We’re talking about the integration of many different tactics to manage this insect pest over the years. If you rely on any single tactic, whether an insecticide or a Bt hybrid, this is an insect that will eventually overcome that management tactic,” Gray said in a phone interview.

The panelists had several recommendations for farmers who wish to learn more about the IPM approach touted by entomologists. The WCR management webinar hosted by Gray has been archived on the USDA-NIFA North Central IPM Program website, www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/regionalintegratedpestmgtnorthcentral.cfm.

Koehler’s ATV Bill Passes Senate

PEORIA – Peoria’s State Senator David Koehler’s bill exempting farmers and other property owners from purchasing required state-issued registrations for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use on their own property has passed the state Senate. The registration fee for ATVs was approved by the General Assembly in 2012 to generate funding for the financially-beleaguered Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Koehler’s plan (SB 2633) provides clear exemptions from the $15 annual fee for ATVs used by farmers and those used on private family properties, along with golf carts, vehicles for people with disabilities and others.

“When ATV owners came to me with this issue, I saw that they had some good, constructive criticism of the ATV fee law,” Koehler said. “I wanted to work with them to fix it.”

The bill now goes to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration. (Koehler news release)

DuPont-Pioneer Kicks Off Local Concert Series

NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters Pioneer League baseball team, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, have announced that country music star Tim McGraw will bring his Sundown Heaven Town Tour to the Corn Crib on Friday, September 12. The concert is the first in the 2014 DuPont/Pioneer Summer Concert Series at the Corn Crib.

“The sponsorship allows us to thank our customers– Illinois farmers– and celebrate the ag industry in a ballpark with a unique corn theme,” said Justin Wilkins, DuPont Pioneer operational marketing manager. “We’re proud to support an organization that helps bring family friendly entertainment to Bloomington-Normal and surrounding communities. The sponsorship also allows us to highlight the value that farming and the agricultural industry bring to McLean County.”

Jana Kramer and Dakota Bradley will be the opening acts for the concert, with gates opening at 5:30 pm the show beginning at 7:00. Tickets to the general public will go on sale Friday, March 14 at 10 am at the Mid-Illini Credit Union Box Office or by phone at 309-454-BALL during normal business hours. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.normalbaseball.com.

Illinois Farm Fact:

Illinois wheat sold for $8.05 per bushel in February of 2013, but just $6.20/bu. on February 15, 2014. (USDA-NASS Ill. Feb. 28 Agricultural Prices report)

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