Illinois farmers went second in the nation to Iowa in corn production in 2014. (WJBC file photo)
By Carrie Muehling
BLOOMINGTON – Central Illinois farmers will remember 2014 for a bumper crop and low prices.
The year began with tough conditions, especially for livestock producers.
“You have a few sleepless nights making sure, or hoping that you’re providing the best care for your livestock,” said Jason Bunting of Cabery during the Jan. 6 blizzard that hit Central Illinois.
Record cold temperatures and heavy snowfall made spring seem far away, but agriculture did finally see movement on a farm bill.
“It’s time to celebrate more than three years of work and having the persistence and patience to see this through,” said Adam Nielsen with the Illinois Farm Bureau.
Nielsen then shifted focus to the EPA’s controversial Waters of the United States proposed rule, as well as possible changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard and funding for inland waterways upgrades.
Pork producers struggled with the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) virus claiming thousands of baby pigs across Illinois and closing public access to the Illinois State University Farm.
“It was not an easy decision to make but we feel the best option to protect the pigs on our farm as well as the industry as a whole was to cease tours for the time being,” said Peter Lammers with ISU.
Spring planting came late, but things took off from there.
“I can’t say that I’ve ever seen it look better at this stage of the game,” said Lance Tarchione, technical agronomist with Dekalb/Asgrow during a June 26 meeting in Bloomington.
More and more farmers tried out unmanned aerial vehicles on their farms in 2014.
“Here is the perfect scouting tool. I can fly over things and see things,” said Matt Hughes, farmer from Shirley.
The Illinois Farm Families program continued connecting farmers with consumers locally, while the Farmland documentary did the same nationwide.
“I think the more this film gets out, the more questions and conversations it creates. And I think for the agriculture community, it’s only a good thing the more people that see it,” said Matt Kilgus of Kilgus
Farmstead in Livingston County.
Crops continued to thrive late in the growing season.
“I’ve never seen corn like this in my 30 years in McLean County, so the crop is big and it’s not just McLean County,” said Mike Toohill, agronomist with Diversified Services.
Farmers got a good start to harvest before rain sidelined them in October. Overall, the 2014 crop did not disappoint, especially when it came to corn.
“Two hundred ten (bushels per acre) – that’s some pretty good corn. Well, my worst corn is probably better than that this year,” said Brian Dirks, who farms near Ellsworth.
“This one’s just phenomenal. It’s the best crop we’ve ever had,” said Dave Mool of Gridley.
The focus for many farmers now is researching and signing up for programs offered in the 2014 farm bill.
Carrie Muehling can be reached at [email protected].
