By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending November 20, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 28.1 degrees, 14.2 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.15 inches, 0.55 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 12 percent very short, 19 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 1…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending November 13, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 46.4 degrees, 3.8 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.11 inches, 0.61 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 17 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 1…… MORE
By Dave Dahl (USDA) – The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service has released its November crop yield forecast. Corn: Planted area is estimated at 10.8 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.55 million acres, is down 3 percent from 2021. Based on November 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield…… MORE
Harvest season is wrapping up for many farmers in Central Illinois, but farming headaches continue.… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.2 days suitable for field work during the week ending November 6, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 57.9 degrees, 9.8 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.13 inches, 0.18 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 10 percent very short, 12 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 2…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 4.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 30, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 52.9 degrees, 1.4 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.43 inches, 0.92 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 13 percent very short, 26 percent short, and 61 percent adequate. Subsoil…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A new tax credit is meant to help Illinois ag-related businesses which welcome the public. This time of year, agritourism could be a pumpkin patch. In a few more weeks, it could be a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm. With liability insurance a must, the credit should help. “As you can…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.9 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 23, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 49.4 degrees, 3.2 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.0 inches, 0.72 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 23 percent very short, 31 percent short, and 46 percent adequate. Subsoil…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 16, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 53.0 degrees, 2.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.59 inches, 0.08 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 22 percent very short, 31 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 3…… MORE
Harvest season is in full force in Central Illinois, and the Illinois Fire Marshall’s Office is encouraging farmers to watch out for equipment and field fires.… MORE
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…