With crops slow to dry down, Illinois is slightly behind pace for harvest. Just 2% of corn was in the bin as of Sept. 19, which was 5 points off the average pace, while not enough soybeans were cut to register on the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s weekly crop progress report. READ MORE

More than 636,700 people attended this year’s Illinois State Fair — setting a state record. The fair also brought in $6.4 million in estimated revenue. Looking ahead, the state will continue a $58.1 million capital investment. Learn what projects are on tap for 2023.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan talks with RFD Radio’s Rita Frazer about state topics including: Fall means deer season, but don’t forget about the approaching trout season. IDNR budgeted $56 million for Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grants this year to help communities expand and update parks. For the first time, the Illinois State Museum has appointed a director of tribal relations. LISTEN

“A lot of these late-planted fields and timely rains really pushed that disease in some parts.” –Nathan Kleczewski, technical agronomist, GROWMARK     Farmers are urged to continue to scout fields, particularly late-planted or double-crop soybeans. “SDS in soybeans is probably our most recognized pathogen,” Nick Frederking, AgriGold agronomist, told the RFD Radio Network. “But, this year specifically after scouting some fields, I’m noticing it’s not always SDS. Other diseases show the same interveinal chlorosis.” READ AND LISTEN

Air conditioners will be on full blast today, but by tomorrow, the weather will be more appropriate for sweatshirts and jackets. A cold front is on its way to the state, but how long will it last? DTN Agriculture Meteorologist John Baranick talks with RFD Radio’s Jim Taylor about the temperature drop, hurricane season’s impact on harvest and the weekend forecast. READ AND LISTEN

More than 80 vehicles, 600 pieces of road art and relics and roughly 1,000 toys housed at the George and June Schaaf Tractor and Truck Museum in Frankfort will be auctioned by Mecum’s Gone Farmin’ division. “It will be one of the biggest tractor auctions ever for antiques, history-wise and in terms of quality,” said Dan Mecum, founder of Mecum’s Gone Farmin’ Division. Learn more about the items up for auction and the museum’s history.     AUDIO EXTRA: Dan Mecum discusses the major auction of ag antiques and collectibles from the Schaaf Tractor and Truck Museum