The story of the Oliver Baler is now on display in Shelbyville, where the commercial balers were manufactured and sold for many years. The machinery was so innovative the American Society of Agriculture Engineers designated Shelbyville a historic landmark of agricultural engineering. Learn more about the new history building in Shelbyville’s Forest Park. READ     ICYMI: Shelby County Farm Bureau Director and antique tractor enthusiast Roy Yantis talks with RFD Radio’s DeLoss Jahnke about the Oliver Baler Museum. LISTEN

A dozen ag groups, including American Farm Bureau Federation, said their members should be invited to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health because they form “the literal base” of the food supply chain. The letter sent to President Joe Biden Thursday comes two weeks before the Sept. 28 conference. Learn more about the conference and the contents of the letter.  

To assist aerial applicators in calibrating their aircraft, University of Illinois Extension hosts fly-ins to ensure products are applied safely. Along with the Illinois Agricultural Aviation Association, U of I Extension conducted four fly-ins this summer and tested 30 aircraft. “Effectively calibrating and pattern testing even a single aircraft can positively impact tens of thousands of acres throughout a spraying season,” said Extension Specialist Matt Gill. READ MORE

“Cash rents can vary from one farm to the next by $50 per acre. There’s just that much variability out there,” Gary Schnitkey, Soybean Industry Chair in Agricultural Strategy at the University of Illinois, said at the Land Pro fall seminar. “The outlook from here depends on what you think crop prices will be.” READ MORE

Are you experiencing depredation problems caused by black vultures on your land? Illinois Farm Bureau can help. IFB will work with USDA Wildlife Services to issue federal sub-permits to livestock farmers who are experiencing issues with black vultures. Learn more about the permitting process.

“These grants are one part of USDA’s Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives and will contribute to our efforts to transform our food system.” –USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack     Six Illinois meat processors will split $1.2 million in federal funds to upgrade and expand their operations. The grants are part of a larger $21.9 million awarded Wednesday to 111 projects across 37 states through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant Program. READ MORE