WRDA Action Expected Soon

BLOOMINGTON – News reports suggest that positive movement on lock and dam legislation is expected some time this summer. Last week, both Illinois Corn and the Peoria Journal Star newspaper issued reports hinting that disagreements between the House and Senate over the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) may be nearing compromise. The bill, known as WRRDA (extra R for ‘reform’) in the House, would provide much-needed upgrades and repairs to crumbling locks and dams on the Illinois and upper Mississippi rivers, including the 75 year-old Peoria lock and dam.

Much of the give and take between the two chambers’ bills centers on funding for the Olmsted lock and dam on the Ohio River. Massive cost overruns and delays have all but drained the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, leaving little funding for other projects. The Senate WRDA, at last report, would remove the onus of continued Olmsted funding from the trust fund, while the House bill would require 25 percent of future funding to come from the fund.

“The current guess is that the conference report will allocate 85 percent federal funding and 15 percent private funding to finish (Olmsted), which frees up millions to start new projects and is a significant win for Illinois farmers,” according to Illinois Corn.

Western Drought Could Affect Corn Belt Farmers

PEORIA – Speaking at the 2014 Illinois Soybean Summit, DTN senior meteorologist Bryce Anderson noted that extreme weather patterns such as the polar vortex are not confined to the Midwest, northeast and southeast. Farmers and ranchers out west have been dealing with their own weather-related disasters, most recently a drought that has adversely affected agriculture in California and the southwest and triggered millions in aid under the new farm bill. Anderson took a moment to address that situation and its impact on Midwest farmers during the March 7 summit at the Peoria Civic Center.

“On an economic scale, there have been thousands of cattle that have had to be sold off as ranchers try to cope with this terrific drought. The beef cattle herd is the smallest now since in the 1950s. That is something that is going to work its way into all of your spreadsheet totals if things don’t improve,” Anderson warned. “The southwest plains right now have record or near-record short low soil moisture supplies.”

San Luis Obispo, “a beautiful agricultural area, is in exceptional drought for the first time in the history of the drought monitor,” Anderson added.

Though California’s agricultural regions received a lot of rain in recent weeks, only time will tell if soils will bounce back enough to produce bountiful crops this summer. And for many western cattlemen, the rain came too late.

NRCS Offers ‘Drainage on Demand’ Option

CHAMPAIGN – A new tool offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) lets farmers control how much water their soil holds in the top three to five feet, by allowing tile drainage to be manipulated to lower or raise water levels. “The new conservation practice, Drainage Water Management (DWM), allows customization for when tiles hold onto and release tile water,” said Illinois NRCS State Conservationist Ivan Dozier.

“There are so many aspects of farming that we cannot control, but this low-cost water control system really gives you more options to manage and control your water. It puts that power into your hands,” Dozier said, in an NRCS-Illinois news release.

The practice will only work on flat or near-flat farmland, the NRCS cautions– meaning it can be used on nearly 10 million acres of Illinois farmland. DWM will be rolled out slowly, with a 14-county target market, including McLean County, serving as demonstration watershed sites. A site in northwest Christian County will be established as a demonstration headquarters.

NRCS offers both technical and financial aid to help farmers develop DWM plans and install structures on both new and existing tile systems. Once installed, DWM will give farmers better peace of mind regarding environmental issues, according to NRCS. “Keep those nitrates where you need them. (DWM) saves money and improves the environment,” said Dozier.

A call to your local NRCS office can start your conservation conversation rolling, Dozier added.

Soy Advisor Website Makes Debut

PEORIA – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) revealed its new, checkoff-funded website to help Illinois soybean farmers increase yields, www.ILSoyadvisor.com during the March 7 Illinois Soybean Summit in Peoria. The site, which combines a traditional website with discussion forums, will focus on boosting soybean yields and profitability through collaboration and tips on the latest best management practices for soybean production.

“The site gets practical information on increasing yields into the hands of growers,” said Don Guinnip, ISA production committee chairman. “It connects farmers like me with industry experts, certified crop advisors, university researchers and other farmers so we can exchange production tips and advice.”

The website also features real-time market information, technical resources, case studies, videos, blogs and more, according to ISA. “This is where conversations and research taking place can live indefinitely. We’re in pursuit of higher yields together, and this site is all about helping us get there,” said Guinnip. (ISA news release)

Master Farmers Feted in East Peoria

EAST PEORIA – Four Illinois farmers selected by Prairie Farmer magazine will be honored this evening (March 19) for their exceptional community service and farming abilities during a ceremony at the East Peoria Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. The recipients are Craig Buhrow (Lee County), Ron Bremmer (Stephenson Co.), Greg Leigh (Fulton County) and Mike Kenyon (Kane County). Congratulations to Prairie Farmer’s 2014 Master Farmers!

Illinois Farm Fact:

Prairie Farmer’s Master Farmer Awards date back to 1925. 

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