Illinois farmers proved again last week that given a chance to get in the fields, they can accomplish a lot in a short time. USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report released Monday shows farmers planted nearly 30 percent of both the corn and soybean crops last week. Illinois planting progress jumped to 73 percent complete for … Read More

Although the federal government has approved year-round sales of E15, don’t expect to see it at every pump anytime soon. “You just can’t get that infrastructure changed quickly. It’s unlikely many gas stations will change from E10 to E15,” said Wally Tyner, agricultural economics, Purdue University. Industry cost estimates for new pump and storage tank … Read More

The Agriculture Department won’t pay farmers for unplanted acres under its new $16 billion trade-relief program, Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Monday evening. But Perdue said USDA is considering whether it can make “minimal” payments to producers who file for prevented planting insurance and also plant cover crops that are eligible for trade aid. Perdue also … Read More

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced on Tuesday it will extend the application date that dicamba can be applied on soybeans in Illinois for the 2019 growing season until July 15. “Due to the extraordinary wet weather seen in this state during the spring planting season and with still over 50% of the soybean … Read More

More data is out evaluating the ongoing trade war and its impact on the Midwest. The Mid-America Business Conditions Index finds that one in eight manufacturers has reported switching suppliers to avoid tariffs that have impacted their supply chain. As a consequence of the ongoing trade war, IFB Economist Mike Doherty sees an “umbrella effect” … Read More

Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) and COUNTRY Financial will host a webinar this Thursday, June 13 at 1 p.m. to discuss:   – Late planting period for corn – Final plant dates for soybeans – Failed crop – Current weather conditions – Market Facilitation Program – Federal disaster assistance   Members can click on this link … Read More

President Trump heads to Iowa this week to shore up his rural base and promote the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. Trump will be in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Tuesday to visit the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy ethanol plant, where he’ll talk up USMCA as well as the EPA’s recent decision to allow year-round sell of E15. (Agri-Pulse)

President Trump on Monday hinted more details were to come about a migration pact the U.S. signed with Mexico last week, saying another portion of the deal with Mexico would need to be ratified by Mexican lawmakers. He did not provide details but threatened tariffs if Mexico’s Congress did not approve the plan. “We do … Read More

President Trump said on Friday that he has “indefinitely suspended” the threat of tariffs against Mexico after reaching a “signed agreement” on immigration. Under the deal reached on Friday, Mexico agreed to use a large part of its newly formed National Guard to hold back immigrants crossing from Guatemala, and to take in possibly tens … Read More

Grab a copy of Monday’s FarmWeek to get details on next Thursday’s prevented plant webinar at 1 p.m.; third wettest May on record in Illinois; Sonya Harper, new chair of the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee, visits her adopted Christian County Farm Bureau members.