Category: Agriculture News

News about food, farming, business, politics and policy that impacts central Illinois farmers.

CORONAVIRUS WAS SLOW TO SPREAD TO RURAL AMERICA. NOT ANYMORE.

A new wave of coronavirus cases is spreading deep into rural corners of the country where people once hoped their communities might be shielded because of their isolation from hard-hit … Read More

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SHARES SAFETY MEASURES FOR 2020 PLANTING SEASON

As farmers get to work, there will be a lot more farming vehicles on Illinois’ roadways over the next few weeks. Even with less vehicles on the road due to … Read More

FARMERS CAN’T PAUSE PLANTING SEASON

Farmers and suppliers say the lockdowns are going to complicate the planting process, but that they’re optimistic that with precautions and planning, they’ll be able to minimize the threat of … Read More

ILLINOIS HARVESTS 2.27M POUNDS OF HEMP

Illinois farmers in 2019 harvested 5,233 acres of hemp last year in the state’s inaugural growing season. According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, a total of 7,141 acres of … Read More

RESTAURANTS CLEAR OUT PANTRIES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

Some high-end restaurants are selling steaks and other cuts of meat directly to consumers rather than in dining rooms that went dark as the coronavirus pandemic exploded in the U.S. … Read More

FEARING SHORTAGES, PEOPLE ARE PLANTING MORE VEGETABLE GARDENS

There has been a surge of people interested in growing their own food. Is this a turn back toward the victory garden era? (NPR)

U.S. KEEPS PROCESSING SEASONAL WORKER VISAS AFTER WARNING FROM FARMERS

The State Department said Thursday it would keep processing visas for seasonal workers, after earlier saying it would suspend routine visa services in most countries indefinitely. The reversal came as … Read More

HOMELAND SECURITY DEEMS AGRICULTURE AS ‘CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE’

The Trump administration has labeled agriculture as a critical industry in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, allowing businesses to continue operating as usual amid current and potential restrictions created … Read More

BIOFUEL PLANTS BRACE FOR POTENTIAL SHUTDOWNS

As fuel prices begin to drop nationwide, ethanol and biodiesel plants are making hard decisions as to whether to shut down or idle production. The Renewable Fuels Association and several … Read More

U.S. GROCERY MEAT SUPPLY TO IMPROVE SOON

Demand for U.S. meat at grocery stores will likely exceed supplies for at least another week, the chief executive of Tyson Foods Inc told Reuters on Thursday, as the coronavirus … Read More

1 253 254 255 256 257 317