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
Category Archives: Agribusiness
Optimistic forecast for corn and soybean yields in Illinois
By USDA 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 October 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield is forecast at a record 210 bushels per acre, up 8 bushels from 2021. Production is…… MORE
Both of Illinois’ major cash crops are getting into gear with harvest
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 7.0 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 9, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 54.9 degrees, 2.3 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.05 inches, 0.74 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 26 percent very short, 33 percent short, and 41 percent adequate. Subsoil…… MORE
Illinois’ two major cash crops continue the harvest
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 7.0 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 2, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 55.3 degrees, 6.6 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.01 inches, 0.64 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 38 percent short, and 51 percent adequate. Subsoil…… MORE
Prominent local firms reach deal including sale of key Bloomington property
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-based insurance company COUNTRY Financial is selling its Financial Services Building on the Twin-Cities’ east side to agricultural cooperative GROWMARK. The Financial Services facility at 1705 Towanda Avenue will become GROWMARK’s new headquarters, according to a news release. The sale is expected to be completed later this year. COUNTRY Financial…… MORE
Weekly USDA crop report
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 25, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 68.3 degrees, 6.4 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.88 inches, 0.05 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 10 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 15…… MORE
Max Armstrong: Harvest season getting underway in Illinois
As fields begin to dry out, farmers across central Illinois are starting up their combines for the fall harvest season.… MORE
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
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…