IL CORN TV

Shane Gray sits down with David Kleinschmidt, farmer and agronomist at Progressive Consulting Services, to break down the real story behind cover crops.

This conversation goes far beyond erosion control. David unpacks the economics and biology driving sustainable systems—from turning cover crops into a revenue opportunity through programs like 45Z and EQIP, to understanding Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N) ratios and why soybeans may actually thrive in a carbon-rich environment.

They tackle the big questions growers are asking:

1) How do you avoid yield drag?

2) What’s the right way to terminate?

3) Can drone seeding outperform traditional vertical tillage?

4) And how do you manage herbicide residuals without sabotaging success?

Whether you’re skeptical, experimenting, or fully invested in soil health, this episode delivers practical insights on building resilience, improving profitability, and making cover crops work on your farm—not against it.


Episode Highlights:

0:00 – Meet David & setting the stage
0:45 – Cover crops: more than erosion control
2:10 – Ecosystem balance: from slugs to quail
4:10 – The money: 45Z, EQIP & incentives
5:30 – Saving passes, saving dollars
7:15 – Managing the learning curve
8:50 – The termination timing trap
9:45 – Debunking yield drag
11:15 – Carbon cycling & plant sugars
13:30 – C:N ratios & soil health testing
16:15 – Seeding innovation: drones vs. vertical till
18:45 – Avoiding herbicide carryover mistakes
20:00 – Not To Be Corny: deep-rooted challenges

🌐 Learn more: https://www.illinoisedc.org/

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📩 Sponsorships & collaborations: [email protected]

If you found value in this episode, subscribe to IL Corn TV and share it with a neighbor who’s still on the fence about green planting.

#CoverCrops #SoilHealth #RegenerativeAg #CarbonCycling #AgTech #IllinoisCorn #FarmerProfitability #DroneSeeding #SustainableFarming #ILCornTV

In this episode of ILCorn TV, host John Klemm sits down with Christy George, President and CEO of the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, to discuss the state’s massive $13 billion economic momentum.

Christy breaks down why Illinois remains the "Why Illinois" choice for global giants, the tactical importance of our unique rail and river infrastructure, and the state’s aggressive push to dominate the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) market. They also tackle the tough reality of current trade wars, examining how tariffs are driving up the cost of everything from nitrogen to tractors while squeezing export prices.

Episode Highlights

0:00 –  Opening Remarks
1:17 –  Selling the "Why Illinois" Story
2:32 –  Inside the $39 Billion Ag Economy
5:42 –  Lessons from Trade Missions to Japan and Mexico
7:56 –  Logistics Powerhouse: The Class-1 Rail Crossroads
9:39 –  Trade War Reality: Fertilizer and Equipment Costs
13:55 –  The High-Flying Future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
14:30 –  How to Partner with the Illinois EDC
17:00 –  Looking for Growth: Indonesia and African Markets
20:15 –  Not To Be Corny: 
21:12 –  IEDC Website

📍Discover how Team Illinois is bringing global industry home to our local fields.

Website: https://www.illinoisedc.org/

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📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: [email protected]

👍 Subscribe to IL Corn TV to stay ahead of the markets. If this episode gave you a new perspective on our state’s economic power, share it with a business partner or neighbor who needs to hear the "Why Illinois" story!

#TeamIllinois #GlobalAg #EconomicEngine #AgLogistics #SustainableAviation #ILBusiness #MarketGrowth #AgTech #ILCornTV #InvestIllinois

From the hay rack to the headliner stage, Cody Diekhoff—the man behind Chicago Farmer—proves that the grit of an Illinois farm is the perfect foundation for a life in music. In this episode of ILCorn TV, Shane Gray sits down with Cody to discuss his transition from a Delevan "study hall poet" to a premier Midwest storyteller.

Cody draws striking parallels between the seasonal discipline of a producer and the creative "editing" required to capture a life story in just three minutes. We dive into the inspiration behind his new album, the tragic history of the Peshtigo fire, and how he keeps his roots alive through his band, The Field Notes. Plus, don't miss an exclusive live acoustic performance that honors the legacy of his 102-year-old grandfather and the century-old barns of Illinois.

Episode Highlights:
0:00 – Welcome: Shane Gray & Chicago Farmer
1:44 –  I-80 Divide: Connecting North & South Illinois
2:50 – The "Hayfield" Education
3:51 –  Planting Songs vs. Planting Crops
6:53 – The 3-Minute Life Story: Mastering Lyrics
9:10 – Cruising Delevan: Finding Songs in Small Towns
11:45 – The Peshtigo Fire & Farm Aid Comparisons
14:23 – Special Feature: Live Studio Performance
16:20 – On the Road: The Field Notes Tour
16:45 – Not To Be Corny: A "Grainy" Joke
17:19 – Closing Thoughts

Support the music that honors the American producer. Head over to www.chicagofarmer.com to stream the latest singles and find out when Cody is playing at a town near you!

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📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: [email protected]

👍 If this conversation moved you, hit that like button and subscribe. Share this with your favorite storyteller or the hardest-working farmer you know!

#ChicagoFarmer #IllinoisCulture #HeartlandSongs #ILCornTV #Storyteller #MidwestMusic #AgRoots #TheFieldNotes #FolkRock #RuralAmerica

Balancing the books and the biology of the farm is the ultimate goal for any producer. 

In this episode of ILCorn TV, host John Klemm welcomes Kate Baker, the new Precision Conservation Management (PCM) specialist for Southeastern Illinois. With a Master’s in soil science from SIU, Kate brings academic rigor to real-world field challenges. 

She discusses how PCM bridges the gap between conservation and profitability, helping farmers navigate high input costs through data-backed decisions on cover crops and nitrogen rates. 

Learn how to tailor conservation to your specific ground while keeping your operation economically resilient.

Episode Highlights

0:00 –  Introduction: Kate Baker
1:15 –  Education & Soil Science Roots
2:05 –  The 7-County Southeast Territory
4:07 –  Customizing Conservation Practices
5:15 –  Managing Costs in the Ag Economy
5:46 –  PCM Data: Economics vs. Inputs
7:00 –  Traveling the 50 States
8:05 –  Not To Be Corny

📍 Discover how to find "economic wiggle room" in your conservation plan by leveraging the expert technical assistance available through PCM.
https://www.precisionconservation.org/

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📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: [email protected]

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with someone who cares about U.S. competitiveness or logistics. Help a fellow farmer discover how data-driven conservation can improve their bottom line by sharing this video!

#SoilScience #PCM #ConservationEconomics #ILCornTV #CoverCrops #SustainableFarming #AgData #IllinoisAgriculture #SoilHealth #FarmerProfitability

Success in the field isn't just about the seed you plant; it’s about the strategy you build before the planter ever leaves the shed. 

In this episode of IL Corn TV, host John Klemm and Ryan Gentle (Agronomy Manager at Wyffels Hybrids) dive deep into the lessons of 2025 and the hurdles of 2026. From the "dual-threat" disease pressure of Tar Spot and Southern Rust to the current deep-layer moisture deficit, Ryan provides actionable advice on hybrid selection, cover crop termination, and the critical 10-day planting window. Whether you're navigating high disease pressure or extreme dry spells, this conversation is essential for every corn grower's toolkit.

0:00 – Introduction
1:30 – Lessons from Corporate Agronomy
2:33 – 2025 Disease Review: Tar Spot & Rust
5:03 – Avoiding "Recency Bias" in Seed Selection
6:36 – Addressing Soil Moisture Shortages
8:45 – Soil Temps: When to Plant Corn vs. Soybeans
9:29 – Cover Crop Pitfalls: Termination Timing
11:00 – Strip-Till Benefits for Soil Health
12:00 – Not To Be Corny: Long Time No Seed
12:35 – Closing Advice

📍Visit Wyffels Hybrids for expert insights to sharpen your 2026 planting plan.
https://www.wyffels.com/

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📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: [email protected]

Support the mission by liking and subscribing. Share this with someone who believes that precision and leadership are the keys to the future of farming.

#AgronomyTips #WyffelsHybrids #TarSpotManagement #SoilMoisture #CornGrowers #ILCornTV #ConservationAg #StripTill #YieldProtection

Discover how a "farmer-first" mindset is the foundation for ending food insecurity across Illinois. 

In this episode of IL Corn TV, host John Klemm sits down with Steve Erickson, Executive Director of Feeding Illinois, to discuss the powerful intersection of agriculture and hunger relief. 

They explore the success of the "Farm to Food Bank" initiative and the innovative "Grain for Good" pilot, proving that when farmers are empowered as partners, the entire community thrives.

00:00 – Introduction
00:46 – About Feeding Illinois
02:30 – Highlight Story: Gibbs Farms
05:00 – Farmer First Approach & Program Lessons
07:00 – Scale and Growth of Farm to Food Bank Program
09:30 – Grain for Good Pilot Program
12:00 – Ways Farmers Can Get Involved
14:00 – Challenges & Logistics
15:15 – Not To Be Corny

📍 Learn more about Feeding Illinois: https://www.feedingillinois.org

📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://bit.ly/ilcorntvalerts

📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: [email protected]

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with someone who values leadership, precision, and the future of American agriculture.

#FeedingIllinois #FarmToFood Bank #GrainForGood #AgriCommunity #SupportFarmers #HungerRelief #ILCorn #ILCornTV #FarmingLife #SpecialtyCrops

True leadership is defined by transferable discipline; whether navigating the skies at Mach speed or managing a multi-generation farm, the process determines the result. 

In this episode of ILCorn TV, host Shane Gray talks with Chris Gould, a 10-year Navy fighter pilot turned third-generation farmer. They discuss the "three-legged stool" of sustainability, profitability, and community, and explore why the mindset of a fighter pilot is surprisingly similar to that of a modern producer.

0:00 – Introduction
0:50 – Navy Pilot Career Milestones
1:45 – Bringing Military Logic to the Farm
2:55 – The Three-Legged Stool Strategy
5:15 – Breaking Myths: Pilot vs. Farmer Life
6:51 – Serving on the IL Corn Board
8:30 – Aviation Cinema: Top Gun vs. Airplane!
9:15 – Determining Shane’s "Call Sign"
9:36 – Not To Be Corny

Discover how Gould Farms is helping drive the efficiency of the field and why a clear mission is the key to farm-level success.
https://www.gouldfarm.com/

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📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: [email protected]

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with someone who values leadership, precision, and the future of American agriculture. Share this with a fellow veteran or a farmer looking to sharpen their management tactics!

#CombatToCorn #AgTactics #VeteranFarmer #ILCornTV #PrecisionAg #FlightToField #FarmManagement #LeadershipLessons #GouldFrm

Join Lindsay Croke from IL Corn TV as she sits down with Mike Malloy, co-founder of Aerterra. They discuss how the difficult problem of indoor air quality led to a surprising solution: corn. 

Learn how Aerterra is utilizing corn-derived biopolymers (PLA) to create high-performance HVAC filters that replace fossil-fuel-based plastics, creating a high-value market for American farmers and supporting economic growth in rural communities.

Episode Highlights:
0:00 – Introduction
0:34 – What is Aerterra? Turning corn into clean air
1:21 – Why Corn? The science of biopolymers vs. fossil fuels
2:45 – Adding Value: The journey from field corn to fiberization
3:56 – Surprising Twists: How the solution "ticked all the boxes"
5:16 – Where to find Aerterra filters
6:20 – Nurturing the next generation of rural America
7:15 – Not to be Corny segment

Follow Aerterra to explore how renewable materials are changing the filtration industry.
🌐 https://www.aer-terra.com

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📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: [email protected]

🌽 Explore how corn is driving a cleaner future for our homes and our environment and see how agriculture and innovation work together for a cleaner future!

#ILCornTV #Aerterra #AgInnovation #SustainableFarming #CornBiopolymers #CleanAir #RuralDevelopment #IllinoisCorn #BioMaterials #AgTech

From growing up on a diversified family farm to building a career in ag communications, Illinois farmer and marketing coordinator Ava Kinder joins host Lindsay Croke to share her journey and the impact of Illinois Agri-Women. Ava reflects on life on the family farm, the power of networking, and how women across generations continue to shape agriculture through leadership, education, and community involvement.

The conversation also highlights Illinois Agri-Women’s newest nationwide initiative, Generations of Women in Agriculture Across America, a program dedicated to honoring multi-generational families of women whose dedication and resilience have strengthened agriculture for generations.

Episode Highlights:

0:45 – Ava’s farming background and life on a diversified family farm
1:50 – Balancing farm life with a career in ag communications
3:10 – Getting involved with Illinois Agri-Women
4:40 – Women Changing the Face of Agriculture program
6:10 – How networking influenced Ava’s career path
7:30 – Generations of Women in Agriculture Across America initiative
9:00 – How families can apply and key deadlines
10:10 – Not to Be Corny segment

Tune in to hear how women are preserving agricultural traditions, building careers, and inspiring future generations across Illinois and beyond.

Learn more about Illinois Agri Women:
🌐 https://www.illinoisagriwomen.org/goAG3

Follow IL Corn TV:
📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://bit.ly/ilcorntvalerts

📩 Want to be a guest on IL Corn TV? Contact: [email protected]

Enjoyed this episode? Follow the show, rate it, and share it with someone passionate about agriculture, leadership, and women in ag.

#ILCornTV #IllinoisAgriWomen #WomenInAg #FarmHer #AgLeadership #AgCommunications #IllinoisCorn #AgCulture

True progress is measured by the clarity of the air we share. Join Lindsay Croke from IL Corn TV as she sits down with Bailey Arnold, Director of Healthy Air Solutions for the American Lung Association. They explore the powerful link between corn and public health, discussing how higher ethanol blends serve as a vital solution for cleaner air by replacing toxic chemicals found in traditional gasoline, benefiting both urban centers like Chicago and small rural farm towns.

Episode Highlights:

00:45 – Clean Air Advocacy & Ethanol
1:33 – Why Air Quality Matters
2:22 – Tara's Corn Corner
3:00 – Impact of Higher Ethanol Blends
4:20 – Chicago’s Air Quality Challenge
6:10 – Farmers as Clean Air Solutions
7:15 – The ALA & Illinois Corn Partnership
9:35 – Not To Be Corny

Learn how the American Lung Association is leading the way toward cleaner air and healthier communities.
https://www.lung.org/

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📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: [email protected]

#ILCornTV #CleanAir #Ethanol #PublicHealth #Biofuels #IllinoisCorn #SustainableAg #AgPolicy #HealthyAir