Field pumpkins decorated to represent the World Champion Chicago Cubs are being guarded by a pair of Jr. Illinois Conservation Police Officers outside a rural business in Mossville (Peoria County) on Halloween. (T. Alexander photo)

Leading this week’s news roundup for Illinois farmers and rural dwellers, a Gibson City grain merchandiser has been shuttered by the state for misrepresenting grain assets. Also in the news: Illinois NRCS has scheduled landowner meetings to discuss changes to the Conservation Stewardship Program, and more times and dates for key fall and winter summits and other producer events have been announced. For this and more, please read on …

IDOA suspends grain dealer’s license

SPRINGFIELD — The grain merchandising license belonging to a Ford County specialty grain dealer has been revoked by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The IDOA assumed control of SGI Agri-Marketing of Gibson City last week after discovering “deficiencies in the company’s financial statements.” According to a state news release, the “financially troubled” company was “ordered to cease and desist doing further business.”

IDOA is beginning the process of compensating clients under the Illinois Grain Code, and has scheduled an informational meeting for Nov. 16, at the Gibson City elevator. Anyone who sold grain to the company and has not been fully paid by the company should contact the IDOA Bureau of Warehouses to file a claim. Those eligible for a claim and unable to attend the meeting can file by mail through the IDOA at PO Box 19281, Springfield, Ill. 62974-9281.

Changes to CSP topic of meetings

CHAMPAIGN — Changes made to the nation’s biggest conservation program, the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), are the topic of a series of public meetings sponsored by the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in December.

“CSP is better than ever, easier to use, and offers more options for working land solutions,” said Ivan Dozier, NRCS State Conservationist. “To tell farmers and landowners about the changes and new opportunities, we are holding three public meetings in Illinois in early December. I encourage anyone currently involved with CSP and anyone who wants to learn more to attend one of these meetings and get the details.”

The free-of-charge meetings are scheduled for Dec. 6 (Sycamore), Dec. 7 (Bloomington) and Dec. 12 (Benton). “We have new information and more options to offer Illinois farmers,” said Eric Gerth, NRCS assistant state conservationist for financial assistance programs. For more information, call Illinois NRCS at (217) 353-6606. (NRCS news)

Soybean Summit dates announced

BLOOMINGTON — The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has announced the dates for next year’s ILSoyAdvisor Soybean Summits, which offer producers insights and lessons on maximizing soybean production and profits along with the latest conservation techniques. Specific topics and speakers will be announced in December for the Feb. 3, 2017 Soybean Summit in Effingham and the Feb. 16 summit in Peoria. Soybean growers are urged to mark their calendars.

In addition, ISA will offer an ILSoyAdvisor webinar, “Lessons from the 2016 Soybean Season: Another Outstanding Crop,” on Dec. 14. The webinar, set for 10-11 a.m., will feature Dr. Emerson Nafziger, professor of crop sciences and extension agronomist for the University of Illinois.

To receive ISA news and announcements, including further details on the 2017 ILSoyAdvisor Soybean Summit, visit www.ilsoy.org/contact-us and sign up.

Illinois Farm Fact:

Illinois ranks fourth in the nation in pork production. (IPPA)

Beef open house set for Dec. 10

BLOOMINGTON — The Illinois Livestock Development Group (ILDG) has announced an open house at JK Ranches in Griggsville (Pike County), site of a new, 300 head cow gestation barn that is the first such deep-pit monoslope barn in the state. Neighbors, community members, fellow beef producers and anyone interested in products and technologies for cattle comfort and environmental stewardship are invited to stop by from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10 at JK Ranches, operated by Jack and Jarrod Kirk and their families.

The ILDG and other event sponsors are touting the event as a great opportunity to tour a unique design and production system for raising cows and calves, with cattle present in the barn during the open house. The deep pit monoslope barn was built by Longhorn Cattle & Swine Confinement. A free ribeye sandwich or hamburger will be served by the Pike County Beef Association following an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. Call Jack Kirk for more info at (217) 491-1682.

Open house yields pork production videos

SPRINGFIELD — An earlier open house — this one held in September for a new pig barn built by Caleb and Tarcie Corzine in Shelby County — has yielded three videos currently being prepared for social media by the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA). The videos, “Pig Farming: Made in Illinois,” “Pig Farming Supports Rural America,” and “Open Houses Mean Open Access” are currently viewable on IPPA’s YouTube channel and the IPPA website, but are being groomed for their imminent social media debut.

“With more and more consumers becoming farther removed from the farm, the opportunities to share the positives of the livestock industry have become fewer,” said Jennifer Tirey, IPPA executive director. “These videos provide for another way to share our story and reach a new audience.”

The Corzines, who are expecting their first child in late November, constructed the barn and diversified into livestock to provide extra income and allow Tarcie to become a stay-at-home mother. A large portion of their new barn was built using locally sourced products from Illinois businesses.

–R.F.D. NEWS & VIEWS–