But one thing farmers can control is the fate of their operation. “The current generation needs to plan an exit role before it’s time,” said Dan Bean, partner at CMA Global. He reported roughly two-thirds of family businesses, including farms, cease operations each generation. Just 1% continues beyond the fourth generation. He discusses farm transition plans to help keep the farm in the family. READ MORE

Soybean meal contracts have been on a winning streak. At the same time, soybean oil is fading fast. What’s causing the spread? Dan Basse of Ag Resources and RFD’s DeLoss Jahnke weigh in. READ MORE

The 327 delegates also took action on policies regarding mental health, nutrition, transportation, education and publishing notices on public meetings. READ MORE  

A pair of submittals from Cook County Farm Bureau covering food accessibility and security were discussed and approved by Illinois Farm Bureau delegates. Mark Gebhards, IFB executive director of governmental affairs and commodities, said the food access policy covers a topic that “really goes well beyond just urban areas and affects a lot of our rural areas.” Livestock policies were also revised, and a pair of submittals tied to Environmental, Social and Governance scoring were adopted. READ MORE

Illinois Farm Bureau’s policy book now features language that specifically addresses pipeline projects transporting for storage carbon dioxide captured from ethanol and fertilizer production. It was adopted after a 45-minute debate on the delegate floor. “There was good, healthy conversation among the delegates on a complicated issue that has wide-ranging implications for Illinois agriculture,” said Bill Bodine, IFB director of business and regulatory affairs. READ MORE

Questions about county government handling of commercial renewable energy projects, especially solar ones, and whether those should be defined as a non-agricultural use surfaced on the delegate floor during Illinois Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting. Following delegate action, IFB gained new energy policy on battery energy storage systems used to store energy from renewable sources, such as wind and solar. READ MORE