Moline-based John Deere is seeking a social media manager to guide their public relations efforts. Applicants must be “charismatic and witty” to earn the position, according to the company.

Wet fields kept the majority of Illinois farmers from planting for a second consecutive week, but windows for field work will be arriving soon. In addition, the U.S. EPA finally green-lighted year-round sales of E15 ethanol blends in Illinois and other states, and also announced that agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are at their lowest point in over a decade. Please read on for more …  

Soggy soils keep farmers from planting 

SPRINGFIELD — For the second consecutive week, rainy weather and wet soil conditions kept the majority of Illinois farmers from planting their 2024 crops. According to the April 15 USDA Illinois Crop Progress and Condition report, there were just 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending April 14, 2024. As a result, corn planted reached 3 percent, compared to the five-year average of 4 percent. However, early planted soybeans planted reached 4 percent, compared to the five-year average of 1 percent.  

“Only far southern Illinois remains drier than normal going back to the start of March, while most of northern Illinois has been 1 to 4 inches wetter than normal for spring so far. Soils are wet to saturated in most places north of I-74, and water table levels have rebounded in a big way since the start of the year. While the wet conditions aren’t exactly ideal for early fieldwork, the deep root zone moisture will be welcome in July and August,” said Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford, in his weekly climate review and weather forecast. 

Ford added that the most recent outlooks for May show better chances of above normal temperatures and mixed signals on precipitation. “So, while a very early start to spring fieldwork is probably not in the cards for most folks, there should be some windows of opportunity in late April and May to get the growing season started,” he said.  

EPA green lights year-round E15 

BLOOMINGTON — Reuters news service reported on April 19 that year-round sales of a fuel blend with more ethanol known as E15 will be allowed in eight Midwestern states, including Illinois, beginning this summer, which is a year later than the states sought. Upon hearing the U.S. EPA announcement that it would issue the temporary waiver, Illinois Corn Growers Association President Dave Rylander made the following statement: 

“Increased access to higher blends of ethanol is a big win for everyone in Illinois. Of course, I think about corn farmers in Illinois, and they will benefit from additional gallons of ethanol sold in our state and nation. However, non-farmers in our state will also feel good about the lower cost of E15 and the smaller environmental impact. 

“We appreciate the U.S. EPA for issuing this temporary waiver allowing everyone the choice to fill up with E15 or Unleaded 88, a blended fuel of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent petroleum fuel. 

“There is a permanent fix for this problem sitting in Congress right now called the Next Generation Fuels Act. The bill permanently fixes this E15 access issue, while also cleaning up our transportation sector by allowing the use of homegrown, renewable fuels. The Next Generation Fuels Act will protect consumer choice to buy the cars you want to buy and have access to the fuels you need, without compromising our country’s greenhouse gas emissions goals. This bill remains a top priority for IL Corn.” 

The Next Generation Fuels Act was originally championed by retired Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos, and is now sponsored by Illinois Rep. Nikki Budzinski.  

The EPA defended the delay in issuing the waiver. “There would be a significant disruption to consumer pricing and the like if we moved too quickly in 2023,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said. “We feel very confident that E15 being sold year-round will be eligible and ready to go in 2024.” Last year, the EPA permitted summertime sales of E15 in the states via an emergency waiver. 

Deere seeking ‘witty and charismatic’ content creator 

MOLINE — Illinois-based John Deere is mining the Gen Z workforce to find a “witty and charismatic” content creator to head up their new social media campaign. Deere’s first-ever “chief tractor officer” will be the face of John Deere’s social media and travel the U.S. capturing the unique and unexpected ways that farming and construction impact everyday lives, AgricultureDive.com reported. 

The company’s job listing states that the ideal candidate “may film the grounds crew preparing turf at an iconic Chicago baseball stadium one day and create a TikTok POV of how roads are maintained at Yellowstone National Park the next.” NFL quarterback Brock Purdy, of the San Francisco 49ers, is involved in the recruitment hype surrounding the position and the new social media campaign, which is intended to appeal to the younger generation of farmers. 

Applicants are asked to submit a short-form video with their pitch for the position, showcasing the creativity, humor and passion they’d bring to the job.  

Ag emissions lowest since 2012 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Greenhouse gas emissions attributed to agriculture are at their lowest levels since 2012, according to a new study from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The report showed that “U.S. agriculture represents just under 10 percent of total U.S. emissions when compared to other economic sectors. Overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased from 2021 to 2022 by 1.3 percent, though agricultural emissions dropped 1.8 percent — the largest decrease of any economic sector.” 

The 10 percent of total U.S. emissions number puts agriculture behind transportation (28 percent), electric power (25 percent) and the industrial sector (23 percent), but ahead of the commercial sector (7 percent) and the residential sector (6 percent) for percentage of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA report. 

“The latest numbers demonstrate farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to growing the food and fiber America’s families rely on while improving the land, air and water, a benefit to the farm and the climate,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President President Zippy Duvall, in a news release. “The drop in agricultural emissions highlights the success and importance of voluntary and market-based programs that support farmer efforts in sustainable agriculture practices. The latest numbers should also serve as inspiration to lawmakers who can build on this progress by passing a farm bill, which not only provides a safety net for farmers, but also helps them meet sustainability goals.” 

Illinois Farm Fact

Historical U.S. corn yield data since 1950 suggest corn yields have increased at a linear rate of around 1.9 bushels per acre per year over that timeframe. (University of Illinois/farmdoc)