RFD Illinois

Rita Frazer shares a report from Matt Kaye on the USDA announcement of CARES Act pandemic aid for the biofuels industry…while the EPA finalized even longer-delayed ethanol blending volumes. USDA first announced 700 (M) million from the CARES Act last June. Now, a year later, the money for biofuel producers slammed by the pandemic, is finally in the pipeline. Jim Taylor talks with Steve Pitstick Chair Illinois Soybean Association and State Senator Patrick Joyce at the new Illinois Soybean Association office in Lombard. Joe Camp, Comstock Investments, about the importance of $7 related to new-crop corn.

Mark Gebhards, Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director Governmental Affairs & Commodities provides Rita Frazer with a weekly update. Profit Watch Energy: DeLoss Jahnke visit with Ryan Gentle, Wyffels Hybrids who talks fertilizer prices. RFD intern Eliza Petry highlights upcoming fairs and festivals. Jim Taylor has the early morning markets and weather.

Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on the New Food System Transformation Framework announced by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. Dave Lidy Dairy and Beef Specialist Total Livestock Services South Central FS talks feed cost and milk prices. Todd Hultman, DTN Progressive Farmer, on falling grain markets. Briana Whitaker, Peoria Ag Lab, talking wheat research with FarmWeek’s Dan Grant. Jim Taylor has early morning markets and weather.

Matt Kaye provides a report including commentary from Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley as he blasts the EPA for not consulting USDA in the Glyphosate Case. Jim Taylor's Farm Week Crop Watcher Report from Randy Anderson in Saline County. Trevor Toland Macomb talks about the benefits of intensive grazing for cattle as he prepares to host a farm-tour next week as a part of the Illinois Beef Association Summer Conference. Phil Krieg, Syngenta Crop Protection, on challenges with a wet Spring. Kent Casson shares crop watcher report from Livingston County. Sam Hudson, Cornbelt Marketing talks current markets. Jim Taylor has the early morning markets.

Matt Kaye reports on USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s confidence that Mexico will continue to allow imports of US biotech corn under USMCA trade rules, despite Mexico’s plans to ban the corn by 2024.
Paul Schuette, Region 4 Manager Illinois Farm Bureau, retires this month and talks about his career and life of service to agriculture.
Mike Albano, NWS Lincoln, about possibility of severe weather today.

Highlight of County Fair Season that kicks off this week. Greene County Fair Association President Jerry Joyce talks about his involvement in the county fair. Macon County Fair kicks off this week as well and we visit with President Evan Hall. Inflation talk with Illinois Farm Bureau Senior Economist on Mike Doherty.

Supply Chain challenges with Ryan Frieders, DeKalb County Farmer and Farm Week Crop Watcher and Randy Graham, Illinois Specialty Growers Association President, and owner of Curtis Orchard. Clint Chaffer, Agronomy Manager with DeKalb Asgrow provides a report.
Profit Watch Energy: Intern Eliza Petry shares a report on gasoline prices and summer travel featuring GROWMARK’s Scott Wilson. Matt Kaye reports on Senate Ag Republicans concerns about farm profitability based on high input costs and inflation concerns and Secretary Vilsack’s response. Jim Taylor has the early morning markets and weather.

Mike Doherty, Illinois Farm Bureau/Illinois Wheat Association covers the Illinois Wheat Tour with Rita Frazer. FarmWeek's Dan Grant talks to Mark Krausz, Illinois Wheat Association President, on wheat tour findings. DeLoss talks with Mark Hobrock, The Andersons, on world corn news. Jim Taylor has the early morning markets and weather.

Matt Kaye talks with Senator Chuck Grassley as he sees the Biden Indo Pacific Economic Framework as a poor substitute for the US reentering TPP. Planting report from Ted Ufkes Professional Swine Management Carthage. Dr. Mark Ernst State Vet reports on IDOA's announcement to continue emergency rules to protect poultry from avian influenza
Ernie Goss from Creighton about higher loan index for Midwestern farmers.