An applicator sprays herbicide on soybeans in northern Peoria County on Friday, July 1. (Photo by Tim Alexander)

This week: The reopening of the Panama Canal is reviving agriculture’s push for more funding to modernize the inland waterways system by repairing and expanding locks and dams. Also, we offer an in-depth examination of crop progress in central Illinois, courtesy of Tazewell County Farm Bureau Manager Doug Godke. And for the first time, Illinois pig farmers will be able to vote for their National Pork Forum representatives online. For more details, please keep reading …

Illinois Corn: time is now for lock and dam repair

BLOOMINGTON — A wider, deeper Panama Canal, complete with new locks big enough to accommodate the world’s largest oceangoing freight vessels, opened June 26 after a nine-year rehabilitation project expected to cost the country more than $5.25 billion. When the first super-Panamax vessel passed across the canal that day, it renewed calls for improvements in America’s inland waterways system in order to increase export capacity and retain the U.S.’s reputation as the world leader in export efficiency.

The time is now to increase the U.S.’s investment in lock and dam and waterways infrastructure improvements on the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, “especially with the Panama Canal expansion completed,” said Jim Tarmann, field services director for Illinois Corn, during a live webinar held June 28. Tarmann explained that although the 2014 passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) has provided a jump start to stalled lock and dam restoration and rehabilitation projects across the state through an industry-approved increase in the barge fuel tax, more should be done by the government to keep pace with waterway infrastructure investments in other countries.

Tarmann pointed out that one barge can transport 1,750 dry tons or 60,000 bushels of corn — the equivalent of 16 rail cars or 70 trucks. A fully loaded tow pushing 15 barges can move 900,000 bushels of corn. “It would take 216 rail cars or 1,050 trucks to carry the same amount of cargo,” he said. “When you look at a full tow of 15 barges, the efficiencies (of waterway transportation) become very apparent.”

Increasing marine transport of cargo, including Midwest grains, increases public safety by decreasing road and rail congestion, while reducing transportation’s environmental footprint. But an antiquated lock and dam system on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers — the structures were built in the 1930s under FDR’s “New Deal” campaign — is restricting the amount of traffic the waterways can absorb. Tarmann noted that while 600 ft.-wide locks are typical for the region, modern tow sizes call for twice that width, forcing barge operators to decouple hoppers and pass through each lock several times, eventually reconnecting the barges on the other side of the locks. “This can take two to four hours. These delays are estimated to cost millions of dollars each year,” Tarmann said.

Illinois Farm Fact:

Tazewell County farmers harvested 32.5 million bushels of corn in 2014, or 224.4 bushels per acre. (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service)

Vote online for Illinois Pork Election

SPRINGFIELD — For the first time, Illinois pork producers can vote online for the Illinois Pork Election, which determines the six Illinois pig farmers who will represent the state during the National Pork Forum in March to vote on pork checkoff issues. All Illinois pork producers 18 years of age or older who are current on pork checkoff assessments are eligible to vote and/or become a nominee for the Illinois Pork Election. The election became active online July 5 and ends July 20 at 1 p.m. In-person voting will take place at the annual Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) Visioning Session, to be held July 20 at 1 p.m. at the offices of Illinois Corn in Bloomington.

Illinois pork producers entered as candidates include Bob Frase, Pam Janssen, Curt Zehr, Jason Propst, Mike Haag, David Dedert, Dereke Dunkirk and Alan Kollman. For questions regarding the Illinois Pork Election or Visioning Session, call (217) 529-3100.

Godke: Tazewell crops “progressing well”

PEKIN — Despite a dearth of rain accompanied by hotter-than-usual conditions in June, crop progress is coming along nicely in Tazewell County, according to the manager of the Tazewell County Farm Bureau. Doug Godke told this columnist on June 30 that the corn crop has moved into the very important tasseling process, aided by scattered showers that have eased the dry soil conditions.

“Several parts of Tazewell County did receive wind damage on corn fields from several storms that traveled through the southern part of the county last week. However, as it appears the corn was young enough that the stalks that were blown over have begun the process of straightening back up,” said Godke. “Although this may cause some problems come harvest, it probably will not impact the final yield. Subsoil moisture appears to be in good supply so it is believed that the corn plants will be rooting down into the soil at this time of year, which should help them to resist dry soil conditions later on during the growing season.”

Soybeans were also progressing normally at the end of June, Godke reported, adding that occasional rains will be needed through August to help plants flower and set pods. In addition, farmers have not reported any unusual weed or pest problems, which Godke credits to improved crop varieties and treatment options, along with “ideal” growing conditions.

“Several farmers have reported that their wheat crop was better than expected. Some farmers have reported wheat yields of between 90 and 100 bushels per acre, which is very good for our part of the state,” Godke added. “Overall, crops in Tazewell County appear to be progressing as well as possible at this time. However, weather can always change and make a difference in crops in a relatively short period of time.

“If all of the current conditions continue I anticipate an early harvest with a good yield on all crops.”