Illinois farmers and local grain merchants visited with major corn buyers from South Korea last week during an in-person trade team to the state, one of the first since the beginning of the pandemic, the US Grains Council said. (World-Grain)

Once upon a time, there were 140 dairies and creameries in Kane County. Now there are three. Sarah Lenkaitis, owner of Lenkaitis Holsteins near St. Charles, talks about the challenges and opportunities of operating a dairy farm surrounded by housing developments. (WGN)

More than 5 inches of rain have fallen in southern Illinois over the last 10 days, but the farmers who need it most haven’t seen a drop. The June 8 drought map shows severe drought in 8 northeast Illinois counties, covering just shy of 5% of the state. (Successful Farming)  

Americans are going to drive this summer like the pandemic never happened, if U.S. ethanol production is any gauge. Output rose last week to the highest level since February 2020, which was shortly before U.S. shelter-in-place orders began. (Bloomberg)

Illinois agricultural officials are satisfied with the proposed state budget that could soon be headed to the governor’s desk for his signature. Kevin Semlow, the director of state legislation for the Illinois Farm Bureau, said the new budget maintains funding levels for the Illinois Department of Agriculture and agriculture programs and services. (The Center Square)

We may be past the unofficial “safe” planting date on Mother’s Day, but as we get deeper into a months-long drought, it’s not just the new plants that need attention. Since March, the Chicago area has received under 4 inches of rain, a deficit of over 8 inches compared to normal. Illinois State climatologist Dr. Trent Ford puts that into perspective for us. (ABC 7)