RFD Illinois

Rita Frazer visits with Matt Jungmann on the upcoming Farm Progress Show and the impact the mask mandate and weather will have on the show. DeLoss Jahnke talks to Shelby Swain Myers with AFBF on the carbon market.

Mark Gebhards, Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities, talks about the Infrastructure Bills (REAL/Human). He covers the good the bad and important dates for the House and Senate. He also talked about the Illinois General Assembly special session on August 31 and the consideration of legislative measures related to the legislative redistricting plan. Bev Long with GROWMARK talks about the cooperative’s plans for the Farm Progress Show, particularly the important job of being the agronomy and fuel partner for the field demonstrations. Steve Bridge reports on the Governor’s mask mandate going into effect on August 30.

RIta visits with Rod Weinzierl, Illinois Corn Growers Association, about the Next Generation Fuels Act that was re-introduced by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos this week. DeLoss talks with Danny Merkley, California Farm Bureau Director of Water Resources about drought conditions in the state, water use and regulatory action taken by the state legislature.

Country Singer Lee Brice provides the background on his new song “Farmer” that will be debuted at the Farm Progress Show concert on September 1. Conversation with State Climatologist Trent Ford on the heat and humidity that is affecting most of the state. Rita meets with Matt Bradshaw to discuss the Orr Research Center groundbreaking. Matt Kaye reports on the House plans for the Infrastructure Bill. Markets and weather.

Matt Kaye reports on EPA Volume Setting Rules for biofuels use. Rita Frazer reports from the Olson Family pork finishing facility open house with a conversation with Blane Olson and Marty Marr, Vice President of Illinois Corn Growers Association and Chairman of the Livestock Development Group. Crop conditions and soil moisture report. Crop Watcher reports from Gary Steward in Stark County and Kent Casson in Livingston County.

Matt Kaye reports on the timing of EPA’s discontinuation of a chemical. Rita visits with Blane Olson about their Pork Facility Open House on August 23 in Elkhart, IL Ernie Goss from Creighton University talks about the Rural Main Street Index and how this impact agriculture. Attorney General Kwame Raoul on fraud that is on a rise as a result of the Pandemic.

Mark Gebhards talks about the next steps in Infrastructure bill and the WOTUS hearings.
Adam and Natasha Bacon from Knob Hill Livestock talk about their operation.
Curt Blades, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, talks about equipment demand.

Matt Kaye reports on the battle for Year-Round E15 sales by the Ethanol Industry. Steve Pitstick, Chairman of the Illinois Soybean Association, visits with Rita Frazer on the priorities of the organization for the year. Doug Anderson, Manager of Wayne & White County Farm Bureaus shares information on a Carbon Market Conference in SE Illinois on August 24. Ashley Cravens, Associate Director of Political Engagement, provides and update on population numbers from the census and the downstate drop. Markets and Weather

Illinois State Fair Ag Day Coverage with Government and Agriculture Leaders.

Concern by Biofuels Supporters on the lack of inclusion of Biofuels in the Infrastructure Bill.
Rita visits with En Hanson, Iroquois County on his Grand Champion Market Lamb. DeLoss visits with Dr. Brian Diers, University of Illinois on soybean genetics. Crop Conditions report for the week.
Crop Watcher report from Todd Easton in Coles County and Kent Cassan in Livingston County.