A third generation farmer is the newest member of the McLean County Board.… MORE
Category Archives: Agribusiness
Crop report: corn and soybeans have begun reproduction
The headline for this week’s USDA crop report might be “Better Late than Never,” but that phrase could also include a question mark?… MORE
Illinois offering incentive for summer cover crops on farms after flooding
The state of Illinois is willing to pay farmers to plant cover crops on their fields to help them deal with historic flooding. … MORE
Illinois Department of Agriculture loosens restrictions for weed killer amid wet spring
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has walked back some restrictions on a controversial, yet highly-effective commercial weed spray as farmers struggle to get crops planted amid a wet spring.… MORE
USDA Announces Support for Farmers Impacted by Unjustified Retaliation and Trade Disruption
(Washington, D.C., May 23, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will take several actions to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation and trade disruption. President Trump directed Secretary Perdue to craft a relief strategy to support American agricultural producers while…… MORE
USDA Projecting Mostly Lower Crop Prices for this Upcoming Year
Producers of many major crops are likely to see lower prices during this coming marketing year. (Gary Crawford/USDA) … MORE
Seed Season Is Here
GRIDLEY – As growers put the finishing touches on equipment preparation, seed delivery season is in full swing Now is the time to double check that seed list, making sure product placement and planting populations are known before heading to the field. This is also a good time to prepare variable rate seeding scripts. Seed…… MORE
Another week of limited work
SPRINGFIELD – There were 1.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 7, according to the weekly crop progress and weather report issued for Illinois on Monday afternoon. Statewide, the average temperature was 48.4 degrees, 1.1 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.34 inches, 0.32 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at…… MORE
Nitrogen Questions Remain
LEXINGTON – Since the fall season was cut short due to weather, nitrogen choices are a hot topic heading into the 2019 growing season. Anhydrous ammonia was not applied on as many acres as expected – which is forcing farmers to think of a different strategy for spring. “Obviously, the question is: Can we get…… MORE
USDA-NASS Release 2018 County Estimates
USDA-NASS has released the 2018 county estimates for corn and soybean production. In McLean County, corn area planted was 314,500 acres with soybeans at 312,000. Corn area harvested was 313,500 with a yield per acre of 229.3 and production at 71,884,000 bushels. Soybean area harvested was 311,500 with an average yield of 69.1 and production…… MORE
Blogs
WJBC Voices: Celebrating Labor Day’s long traditions
As Labor Day comes, many will enjoy firing up the grills, a cold one and perhaps a day of fishing or the kids enjoying the pool. Enjoy it – it is well deserved.
WJBC Voices: New name, new mascot
Several years ago, after the Politically Correct Athletic Association extorted the University of Illinois not to use any Native American symbols for its teams, I declared the name Fighting Illini meaningless…
WJBC Voices: Migrants deserve better
As we recently marked July 4 and our nation’s independence, it’s hard to feel celebratory when one looks at our Southern border.
WJBC Voices: Plus ca change…
No Neck and his Democratic buddies patted themselves on the back and told us how happy we should all be now that we have a “balanced” budget for the first time in years.