Lauren Lurkins, Illinois Farm Bureau’s director of environmental policy, was reappointed to serve another term on EPA’s Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC). She previously served as the committee’s vice chairwoman. Learn more about the FRRCC and what its focus will be during the next two years.

But rural America is still becoming older, with people 65 years and older making up more than 20% of the nonmetro population in 2021. And the four highest-employment industries didn’t include agriculture. How does that impact rural ag? USDA’s Economic Research Service annual report, “Rural America at a Glance,” found that despite the rural agriculture industry’s output per worker and total output have increased over time. FarmWeek’s Timothy Eggert shares the report’s findings on changes in the rural ag industry.

And hog farmers will likely see that continue in 2023. But profitability will depend on farmers’ risk management and marketing programs as inflation and high feed costs tighten margins. “There’s a lot of tools out there to put some protection under these relatively strong (hog) prices,” said Lee Schulz, associate economics professor at Iowa State University. He discussed the hog market outlook during the Ag Bankers Conference. READ MORE

Put the combine and grain cart away, but don’t put the truck away,” said Steve Johnson, retired Iowa State University Extension farm management specialist. “Keep the grain moving. These are some of the best basis offered this time of year.” He shared crop marketing tips during a meeting at the Knox County Farm Bureau office. READ MORE

Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has $3.5 million available for its 2023 Wetland Reserve Easement program. The program helps landowners enhance and protect habitat for wetland wildlife on their land among other benefits. Learn more about the application process and deadline.

Farmers’ 2023 budgets will likely be daunting to manage due to skyrocketing costs in all areas. Fertilizer and diesel costs, interest rates and more are all contributing factors. “Planting 1,000 acres of corn will be more than a million-dollar venture in 2023,” Gary Schnitkey, who projects crop budgets at the University of Illinois, told RFD Radio’s DeLoss Jahnke. READ AND LISTEN