Record Setting Corn Crop Predicted

SPRINGFIELD – Both state and national corn production records could be shattered this year, according to the September 12 USDA-NASS Crop Production Report. Despite another challenging growing season for central Illinois farmers, corn producers throughout the state can expect to average 165 bushels per acre– unchanged from NASS’ August forecast– with a record-setting average of 29,900 corn ears per acre. In addition, production of corn for grain would be 1.96 billion bushels, an improvement of 53 percent from 2012, the report stated.

National corn production is projected at 13.8 billion bushels, up less than one percent from August’s prediction and 28 percent from 2012. That level of production would set a new U.S. record. Yields are expected to average 155.3 bu./acre, 31.9 bu. above that of 2012.

Soybean production in Illinois is expected to reach 430 million bushels or 46 bu./acre, up 12 percent from last year. Nationwide, soybean production is predicted to reach 3.15 billion bushels, the fourth largest soybean production on record.

WRRDA Introduced in House

BLOOMINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives will mark up their Water Resources Reform Development Act (WRRDA) on Thursday, Sept. 19, House leadership announced last week. Leadership briefed key stakeholders on components of the bill, such as the Waterways Council, Inc., of which Illinois Corn is a member. During the briefing, it was determined that the House bill would not contain a key increase to the barge fuel tax, which is supported by nearly all in agriculture and river shipping as the only viable means of funding lock and dam expansion and repair on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.

Illinois Corn issued a statement last week, advising members that without an increase in the barge fuel tax, lock and dam upgrades will still take years to complete. For instance, the LaGrange lock and dam would not be fully operational until 2070 under the current appropriations system. Illinois Corn indicated it will continue to advocate for an increase in the threshold for major rehabilitation projects, prioritization of navigation projects and revamping the project delivery process, removing the Olmsted lock and dam project from the jurisdiction of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund and increasing the barge fuel tax. (Ill. Corn Daily Update)

Pork Producer to Address Rotary

PEORIA – An Altona pork producer will come to Peoria to address the Peoria North Rotary Club on Thursday, Sept. 26 at Barrack’s Cater Inn. Titled “Farming and Food,” Steve Main’s speech will highlight how farmers are using technology and innovation to grow healthier food along with the impact on food, animal care and the environment.

Main said he plans to share what farmers are doing to ensure safe and healthy food gets to consumers’ dinner tables. “Modern barns, a focus on nutrition and animal care mean pigs live healthier lives than ever before,” said Main, who owns and operates Main Hitch Farm. “And, healthy pigs mean healthy food. For example, pork tenderloin today is as lean as a skinless chicken breast and is certified by the American Heart Association as a heart-healthy food.”

According to Main, farmers today are using 41 percent less water and 78 percent less land to raise pigs than 50 years ago. “And farmers know they must always keep learning and working to get better at what they do,” he said.

Duck Dynasty Stars Visit Corn Crib

NORMAL – Two stars of A&E Network’s hit reality program Duck Dynasty– John Luke Robertson, 17, and sister Sadie Robertson, 15–  visited the Corn Crib, home of the Frontier League Normal CornBelters, signing autographs, meeting and greeting fans and throwing out ceremonial first pitches. 2,551 fans paid to enter the Corn Crib for the Sept. 1 event, most of them decked out in Duck Dynasty apparel.

“The event went very, very well– everyone was very excited to see Sadie and John Luke,” said Ellen Balbac, director of public and media relations for the CornBelters. “The majority even stuck around for the baseball game after they had gotten their autograph. The crowd was great and the fans were having a great time throughout the whole evening. It was a very positive evening for our organization.”

The event was also a positive experience for the Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB), which has sponsored the CornBelters through an agreement with team ownership during the first four years of the team’s existence. Through such events as this, thousands of non-farming families are exposed to positive images and information pertaining to agriculture and corn production in Illinois each year, explained Jim Rapp, district 4 director for the ICMB.

“The sponsorship of the CornBelters has been a benefit to corn growers,” said Rapp, who helped negotiate the original sponsorship and stadium naming rights agreement between ICMB and the team during his time as ICMB director. “One of the goals we had was to extend information about what farmers do to the urban community. I think we’ve been able to bridge that gap. I think we’ve gained relationships.”

Experts: 16 Years For Soy Traits to Market

CHAMPAIGN – More than 200 farmers and others from 16 countries gathered in Champaign recently to discuss solutions to the state of agricultural biotechnology regulatory systems. At stake: bringing new biotech traits to the world market. According to experts attending the International Biotechnology Symposium on August 26, the current regulatory path takes an average of 16.3 years to turn out new traits for farmers.

“Our countries have a very important job to do; help get our soybeans to markets as partners,” noted Santiago Del Solar, an Argentine farmer who participated in a producer panel at the symposium, which was hosted by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA). “We have a lot of challenging work ahead of us for the future.”

Panelists noted that with more than two dozen new biotech traits for soybeans currently in the U.S. pipeline, regulatory approval processes are standing in the way of increased crop yields and greater global food security. (ISA news release)

Illinois Farm Fact:

The Illinois pork industry contributes more than $1.7 billion annually to the state’s economy. (Illinois Pork Producers Assoc.)

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