R. F. D. News & Views, May 29, 2013

Woodford County Corn Planting Near Complete

EUREKA – Tractor headlights dotted the central Illinois landscape last week as farmers– spirits and prospects for a profitable year buoyed by an extended period of warm, dry weather– raced against and around the clock to plant crops. The USDA-NASS Illinois Field Office reported on May 20 that statewide, corn planting progress jumped to 74 percent complete, up substantially from 17 percent the previous week.

“There was a lot of corn planted last week,” said Jolene Neuhauser, manager of the Woodford County Farm Bureau, on May 22. “Corn planting (here) is probably well into the 90 percent range, if not totally done. Fields dried out really well last week. There might be some wet spots here and there in some of the lower-lying areas of the county, but not as much as one might think after all of the rain we had.”

Some farmers were forced to do battle with weeds and grasses that had grown in their fields before proceeding with planting. “I would say that was definitely on their list of challenges. There were a good portion of soybeans planted late last week as well, and that required a lot of weed removal,” said Neuhauser.

Virtually none of the farmers in Woodford County were forced to eschew corn planting for a strict soybean rotation, as many had feared as May began to draw to a close. “I didn’t hear many guys say they were making that change. If it had gotten much later…even if it were this week that they began planting, then they might have made that change. We might be having a different discussion,” Neuhauser said.

 

ICGA “Pleased” With Senate Farm Bill

BLOOMINGTON – With a final vote expected by many to come on June 5, more specifics of the U.S. Senate’s version of the 2013 Farm Bill are trickling out– and officials with the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) like what they see thus far. “The Senate debated the farm bill this week and we are pleased with the time they spent on our issues and the progress they have made so far,” announced ICGA President Paul Taylor on May 24.

The Senate is expected to reconvene June 3rd, with a possible vote on the farm bill coming two days later. The usual litany of amendments not germane to agriculture or food– hundreds of them, according to ICGA– could push the date further into June. When the Senate comes to agreement on how many amendments they will consider, progress will begin in earnest.

“There are some amendments that concern us, especially amendments that could negatively affect crop insurance,” said Taylor. “We aim to keep our membership up to date on these issues and will advise them to call our Senators when needed.”

Taylor added that it was ICGA’s hope that any “detrimental policy” left in the Senate bill would be eliminated once the conference phase begins and the House and Senate bills are married. The House may begin their floor debate on the farm bill in mid-June, according to ICGA. (Illinois Corn Daily Update)

 

Soybean Farmers Ahead of Curve in Sustainability

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois soybean farmers are ahead of the curve when it comes to applying “sustainable” management and production methods to their farming operations, according to the preliminary results of a ground-breaking study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison that is funded, in part, by the Illinois soybean checkoff. The study employs questionnaires, available at www.soysurvey.com or in paper form, to measure farmer adoption of current best management practices including production decisions, field scouting and pesticide handling. The information gathered can help farmers to make better management decisions, protect profits and improve sustainability to customers, along with helping to protect market access.

“The survey can guide soybean farmers to improve their scores by suggesting farming practices that are more sustainable and easily implemented,” stated Don Guinnip of Marshall, who serves as “sustainability second vice chair” for the Illinois Soybean Association. “The university is working toward showing how each practice affects the balance sheet. That information has tremendous value.”

Sustainable practices can include adjusting planters for uniform seeding and using tillage and management to maintain crop residue and soil surface, according to Shawn Conley, U of W Extension soybean and wheat specialist. “Plotting sustainability scores show that the curve leans hard to the right, which is good news. That means most farmers adopt many of the recommended sustainable practices,” said Conley. For more info, visit www.coolbean.info. (Ill. Soybean Assoc. news )

 

GMO Hearings Announced by Koehler  

PEORIA – Companies that produce food and health advocacy groups expressed major concerns about State Senator David Koehler’s (D-Peoria) proposal earlier this year that would require companies to label genetically engineered (GMO) foods. In response, Koehler has scheduled three public meetings, including one in Normal, to gather input on the issue before calling the bill for a vote.

“This legislation isn’t about passing a value judgement on genetically engineered food. It’s just about giving consumers information so that they can make their own choices,” Koehler said. The hearings will begin on June 20 at the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University with a 10 AM-noon meeting. Another meeting is set for August 7 at Southern Illinois University, with a final meeting tentatively scheduled for mid-September in Chicago (location undetermined). (Koehler news release)

 

C-BMP: Farmers Reduced Fall N Apps

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois farmers reduced fall nitrogen applications by 63,506 tons in the fall of 2012 compared to the previous year, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Council on Best Management Practices (C-BMP). The result was based on a study of over 300 field locations participating in C-BMP’s inaugural “N Watch” campaign. “The N Watch program is a new tool for farmers to use in their continued quest for better nitrogen management,” said Dr. Howard Brown, a  GROWMARK agronomist and a C-BMP interim director. “Farmers and agriculture retailers take seriously their commitment to environmental stewardship.” (C-BMP news release)

 

Illinois Farm Fact:

In 2011, 46.7 million bushels of winter wheat were harvested from 765,000 acres in Illinois. (Ill. Dept. of Agriculture)

 

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