Home ilfb.org
About FarmWeek / Contact Us
 Search
 
  Farmweek
FarmWeek Links
Government
Food Safety
Production
Environment
Commodities
Livestock
Perspectives
Crop Watchers
General News
From the Counties
Education
Energy
DDG/Energy Prices
AgriVisors Cash Strategist
Crop Estimates Could Have Mixed Results on Market

Crop production estimates released Friday by USDA could have mixed results on the markets, according to analysts. USDA projected total wheat production nationwide at 2.4 billion bushels, which if realized would be a 16 percent increase compared to last year. "The wheat numbers are bearish, beans are bullish, and corn is stuck in the middle,” said Dale Durchholz, market analyst with AgriVisor. “This report looks a little bearish for corn and wheat. Beans are very, very --More

Strong Farm Bill Vote Needed to Battle Veto Threat

U.S. House-Senate conferees have reached a final farm bill agreement that boosts nutrition spending, trims farm direct payments, and according to Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson offers "a foot in the door" toward revenue-based income support. Nelson Friday called the agreement, possibly up for a vote Wednesday, "somewhat of a victory for us," despite a purported $60 billion reduction in total funding over the 2002 farm bill budget. Nelson noted elimination of stringent --More

Alfalfa Watch

Alfalfa fields in far southern Illinois have passed the optimum date for harvest and some harvesting has occurred between rains.  "Some harvest was completed earlier this week in Region 4 (south of 1-70 and north of I-64)," says U of I dairy educator Dave Fischer.  He says alfalfa weevil is continuing to damage fields and recommends harvest as soon as conditions allow.Fischer says harvest across central Illinois should begin May 15-17, with the remainder of the state showing --More

Struggling Scott SWCD to close doors May 2

A freeze on state ag funding has taken its toll on the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), which plans to close May 2. Last week, the county SWCD board --More

Premises ID numbers not required for 2008 fair livestock exhibitors

Livestock exhibitors will not need a premises identification number to show in 2008 Illinois 4-H, FFA, and county fairs and the Illinois State Fair, according to an Illinois Department of --More

House rejects governor's proposal to reorganize agencies, authorities

The Illinois House last week rejected Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s proposal to combine parts of about 20 state agencies and authorities. His plan also is meeting opposition in the Senate. --More

Ag groups speak against state funding cuts

Two young 4-H members afraid they won’t have opportunities to learn; a farmer concerned about the future of soil and water conservation; a 30-year Extension employee not sure if she would --More

Study finds flavored milk beneficial to children's diets

The consumption of milk in any form, whether it’s 2 percent, skim, or flavored, is more beneficial to children’s diets than drinking no milk at all, according to a recent study. --More

Renewable fuels development faces climate, drought threats

With growing world pressure to curb corn-based biofuels growth, ag groups are concerned about a possible administration effort to curb long-term ethanol mandates. The Bush administration last week --More

House action doesn't mean Colombia vote out

Taking the Colombian free trade agreement (FTA) off the clock doesn’t mean the deal is off the table, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) trade specialist Danita Murray emphasized --More

State, local officials wary of regulatory consequences

State and local officials fear expanded federal oversight of ditches and prairie potholes could create a dangerously slippery slope for farmers and communities alike. A wide range --More

Soy cancer research continues around globe

  While Northwestern University mouse trials suggest a soy-healthy diet might prevent prostate cancer, soyfoods advocates such as Nancy Chapman are more eager to see results in --More

Schafer: More corn acres could ease pressure

Ag Secretary Ed Schafer acknowledged last week “the global food situation is a very real problem” and he believes American farmers will respond. Schafer last week during a visit to --More

Dietician: Don't cut milk from diet

Reducing or even eliminating milk from the diet is not a good answer to rising dairy prices, according to a registered dietician. Jennifer DeHoog of the St. Louis District Dairy Council --More

Loss of technology could drive up milk prices

Large food retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kroger recently began purchasing milk produced only from cows not treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) because of reported consumer --More

Reopening of Korean market may bolster prices

U.S. cattle producers, who have been hit hard with higher feed and energy costs, late last week received a potential double-dose of good news. U.S. Trade Representative Susan --More

State to update natural areas data, landowners' permission needed

Illinois plans to update a 30-year-old inventory of natural areas across the state; however, landowners’ permission will be required for assessment to be done on private property, according --More

Demand for fertilizer could keep pressure on prices

Illinois farmers this season should be able to source potash and phosphate despite increased global demand for fertilizer. However, prices for many fertilizer products likely will --More

Renewable fuels help improve profitability

By Mark DehnerEach day we are inundated with stories about energy. It’s a front-of-mind issue, which puts it on the front page of newspapers, at the top of radio and television broadcasts, and on --More

Perspective -- Things with lost of legs

Each year, many residents notice the “curled-up remains of insect-like critters with lots of legs.” Each year, they ask the same question about these insects: “Can they hurt plants in the --More