As fields begin to dry out, farmers across central Illinois are starting up their combines for the fall harvest season.… MORE
Category Archives: Agribusiness
IDOA director looks back at last month’s Illinois State Fair
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The state Department of Agriculture is shedding a little light on how it came up with this year’s attendance numbers for the Illinois State Fair. It’s a sophisticated formula under industry-accepted standards, says ag director Jerry Costello. “The formula and the standards that are used are formulas and standards that…… MORE
IDOA is leading foreign visitors on a ‘grain tour’
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The world’s grain buyers have descended upon Illinois. Accompanying forty guests from seven nations on a two-day tour of all things corn and soybeans in the state, Illinois Department of Agriculture director Jerry Costello answers the question, how does one measure the success of the tour? “The traditional way would…… MORE
Illinois State Fair sets new records
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – This year’s Illinois State Fair set some new records. Nearly 637,000 people visited the State Fair Springfield last month, an all time record says spokesperson Krista Lisser. She says the gorgeous weather was a big factor. “We also had great family entertainment,” said Lisser. “While it all depends on the…… MORE
Illinois farmers are beginning to pull the corn out of the fields
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 18, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 68.2 degrees, 1.6 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.50 inches, 0.35 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 10 percent very short, 14 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 15…… MORE
Pork and Pigskins first round voting is underway
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – First round voting to find the state’s best pork chop sandwich is underway in the Illinois High School Association’s and Illinois Pork Producers Association’s (IPPA) Pork and Pigskins Championship. 58 contenders will look to advance out of the first round into the Savory 16. Voting is currently open online here.…… MORE
USDA has updated its forecast for the upcoming harvest
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 11, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 69.9 degrees, 0.1 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.79 inches, 0.10 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 4 percent very short, 24 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 2…… MORE
High cost and labor shortage hurting pumpkin farmers in Morton
In the pumpkin capital of the world, farmers are feeling the pinch of the high cost of fertilizer and a labor shortage. … MORE
No harvest to speak of yet in Illinois
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.5 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 4, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 72.6 degrees, 0.9 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.36 inches, 0.57 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 9 percent very short, 21 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 4…… MORE
Rain is helping Illinois crops
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.0 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 28, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 72.5 degrees, 1.1 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.20 inches, 0.56 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 8 percent very short, 24 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 5…… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
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.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
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…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
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…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
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…