http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/Farm.rss en ©2009 Regent Communications, Inc. http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18772 Bayer CropScience is asking farmers who attend the 2010 Farm Progress Show to join an effort called "I Farm to Feed the World." Mark Wrucke is a regional manager for development and market support with the company, and he explains how Bayer CropScience hopes to make a $15,000 contribution to food banks in four states, including Illinois. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:45:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18742 The Department of Agriculture has updated its crop insurance product list. Todd Gleason has the details. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:06:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18743 If you are lost, Global Positioning System (GPS) technology can provide the answer to the question, "Where in the world am I?? With basic GPS applications, users can determine location as well as study navigation, tracking, mapping, and timing. A new GPS 4-H SPIN club will offer youth aged 10 to 18 the opportunity to use GPS units and map software, find hidden ?treasures,? and explore geocaching. Steve Sewell will lead this 4-H special interest club through University of Illinois Extension ? McLean County. He has taught GPS workshops for McLean County Parks and for Bloomington Parks and Recreation, and was also a guest instructor at a recent 4-H Technology Academy. Sewell is involved in variety of activities and serves as the president of a local outdoor club. An informational meeting will kick off the new club Thursday, September 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the UNITY Community Center, 632 Orlando Ave. in Normal. This meeting will also include some GPS and computer time. The club will meet once a month on a weeknight through April. Several special Saturday field activities are also planned for club members, as well as public GPS events at the Normal Public Library and at Comlara Park/Evergreen Lake. For more information and to enroll, contact the McLean County Extension office at (309) 663-8306, or e-mail smcghee@illinois.edu. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:03:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=9739 Downy Mildew is threatening the late planted pumpkin crop in Illinois. Illinois produces about 95 percent of the U.S. supply of processing pumpkins. While the disease isn't likely to have an enormous impact on the nation's supply of pumpkin pie filling, it is big problem for growers. Todd Gleason reports. Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:08:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=1311 The Barn Keepers will meet Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at the McLean County Farm Bureau building on Hershey Rd. in Bloomington. Given Harper will present a program on barn owls. Barn owls were once a common breeding species in Illinois. They feed heavily on voles and mice in grasslands and they often nest in wooden barns and other structures. However, in recent decades much of their habitat has been lost. As a result, their populations have declined throughout the state so dramatically that they are listed as an endangered species in Illinois. Dr. Given Harper, an avian ecologist and professor of biology at Illinois Wesleyan University, will give a presentation about the natural history of barn owls and provide advice about what landowners can do to attract these fascinating birds. The Barn Keepers Annual Tour is Saturday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning at the Heyworth Christian Church, Heyworth, IL. For information go to www.barnkeepers.org. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:55:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18611 The next scheduled Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports Adult Certified training program will be held September 17, 18, and 19 at White Eagle Camp, Leaf River, Illinois ? approximately 20 miles from Freeport. The certification training is required for adults who volunteer to work with 4-H youth in local shooting sports programs offered through University of Illinois Extension ? McLean County. Registration fee for the three-day training is $110 per adult participant (covers all meals, lodging, curriculum manuals, and other expenses). For general camp information and directions go to: www.campwhiteeagle.com/location.camp. Registration deadline is September 3. In the first year of the Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program, more than 200 certified adults and adult assistants have received training, and approximately 750 4-H?ers from 43 Extension Units around the state are enrolled in the Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program. For registration details, contact Sandy McGhee-Yanzy, (309) 663-8306 or via e-mail at smcghee@illinois.edu. For more information about the Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program, contact 4-H Youth Development Educator Dan Dawson, the coordinator for the Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports Program, (217) 782-6515, or e-mail: dddawson@illinois.edu. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:53:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18610 The Illinois Pork Producers Association is promoting a program called ?Pork and Pigskins.? Jim Taylor reports. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:52:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=8238 Temperatures continued the summer long pattern of above normal last week pushing the corn crop maturity rapidly ahead. Reports were received of producers preparing for an early corn harvest after a long week of triple digit heat indexes and high nighttime temperatures. There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week across the state. The corn crop has advanced to 51 percent dented compared to the average of 29 percent. Beneficial rains fell sporadically across the state from a few tenths to a few inches. The largest rainfall accumulations were recorded in the northwest and west districts where some rivers were overflowing. Rains at this point are needed in many areas to help soybeans fill pods and will help with corn grain weight but will not be as helpful to the corn as it will be to the soybean crop. Topsoil moisture was rated at 8 percent very short, 20 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Soybean diseases are starting to show up with the primary concern coming from sudden death syndrome. Farmers were busy last week mowing waterways, baling hay, spraying fungicides and insecticides, chopping silage, and attending the Illinois State Fair. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:24:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18361 The Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds has a new look. Karen Schmidt is managing the building this year, and she explains what's been done. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:23:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18360 Illinois Ag in the Classroom got another funding boost that will allow for expansion of programming. IAA Foundation Director Susan Moore explains. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:22:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=9950 Even though U.S. farmers are getting ready to harvest huge crops, price prospects have not diminished. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Gary Crawford has more. Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:35:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=8305 The 2010 winner of the Master Showmanship Contest at the Illinois State Fair is from McLean County. Jake Mohr is the 16-year-old son of Brian and Jill Mohr of Carlock. Jake will be a junior at Normal Community West High School this fall. He says it took him three tries to win the contest at the county level, but his persistence paid off. Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:23:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18159 Russian fires, Australian locusts, Argentinean drought... an interesting list of things are affecting world wheat prices, but it?s too early to worry about a shortage. American Farm Bureau Federation?s Johnna Miller reports? Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:44:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18127 U.S. wheat prices exploded to two-year highs on Russia's export ban, and the market volatility has bakers worried. Stewart Doan of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting reports? Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:48:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18125 Illinois corn farmers should be scouting fields for a new disease - new to them, anyway. Todd Gleason has more on Southern Corn Rust? Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:47:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18038 Two McLean County 4-Hers have new titles this morning after last night?s 4-H Royalty competition. This year?s McLean County Fair Queen is Alison Korty of Bloomington, and the 2010 McLean County Fair King is Landon Cuba of Downs. Runners-up in last night?s competition were Lindsay Brightwell of Lexington and Eric Hansen of Minier. Several others were honored during last night?s showcase for service to McLean County 4-H. Retiring McLean County Extension Director Don Meyer was recognized for 27 years of service, and Golden Clover Awards went to Dick Deal and Barb Jurgens. Emerald Clover Awards were presented to the families of Virgil Johnson and Rose Graf Rutledge. Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:21:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=4337 Farmers and ranchers have one issue that they?re waiting to talk to their members of Congress about: estate taxes. The August recess may be their best chance to send their message to change that tax so it?s not such a burden to the folks who grow the nation?s food. American Farm Bureau Federation?s Johnna Miller reports? Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:07:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=18004 Directors of the Federation of State Beef Councils have passed a resolution to maintain the Federation?s partnership with the National Cattlemen?s Beef Association, but also to function in a more independent manner. A special committee of the Federation will determine just what more independent means, but Federation Chair Scott George emphasized it does not mean separation. And George says he doesn?t see that relationship changing all that much? Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:06:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=17969 McLean County 4-H member Allison Parks of Bloomington is among the 14 honorees in the inaugural class of the new State 4-H Key Award. State 4-H Key Award applicants are 16 to 18 years of age and nominated to the state selection process by their local Extension program. Members are scored on their 4-H leadership involvement on the club, county, regional, state, and national level; community service projects; and how they have used their 4-H project expertise to mentor other youth. Throughout the year, U of I Extension 4-H Youth Development members can receive recognition for their involvement at the local, county, state, and national level. The Illinois 4-H Foundation, Inc. provides financial support to the Illinois 4-H Recognition for Excellence Program. This program provides county 4-H award medals, trips to the National 4-H Dairy Conference and the National 4-H Congress, and now, the State 4-H Key Award. For more information, visit the Illinois 4-H website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/. Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:37:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/TabId/7865/default.aspx?AID=17970 Ron Moore was re-elected as the Illinois Soybean Association?s (ISA?s) chairman during the Association?s board meeting Sunday, August 1 in East Peoria. The Roseville soybean farmer currently serves as an American Soybean Association (ASA) director and vice chairman of the National Sustainable Agriculture Standards Committee. Matt Hughes of Shirley was elected as vice chairman and previously served on the board as assistant secretary-treasurer. Bill Wykes takes over as the new secretary, having previously served as treasurer. Doug Winter of Mill Shoals was elected as treasurer after serving as the previous year?s secretary. Dean Campbell of Coulterville joins the officer team as assistant secretary-treasurer. New Illinois Soybean Association directors are Rob Shaffer of El Paso, who will represent District 6 and replace Jason Lay, and Bill Raben of Ridgway, who will represent District 18 and replace Tim Scates. In District 4, Wykes was re-elected to another term on the board. ISA is the statewide organization for Illinois soybean growers. The farmers on its board administer soybean checkoff funds to support research, promotions and educational programs designed to increase demand for Illinois soybeans and administer legislation and membership programs. Contact ISA at 309-663-7692, or visit www.ilsoy.org. Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:36:00 GMT