RFD Illinois

Don Parrish, Senior Director of Regulatory Relations with AFBF, reflects on his 33-year career upon retirement and the issues and successes he’s been involved with. Specifically, Waters of the US, that has recently resurfaced.
Wheat Harvest and reports on the quality and harvest. Rick Siemer, Siemer Milling, talks about his family company and the products they produce from wheat harvested in Illinois.

Steve Bridge reports on Moody’s upgrading of the State’s Bond Rating and what this means for the state’s financial situation.
Matt Kaye on the House Appropriations Committee revoking of line speed waivers in meat and poultry plants.
Interview with Mercer County Farmer Chad Bell in reaction to the June 30 acreage and stocks report.
GROWMARK’s Executive Director of Energy Supply and Pricing, Kelvin Covington joins the show to talk lubricants. They discuss the Chemtool explosion in Rockton, IL and the potential impact on supply and demand for products.

Mark Gebhards, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Illinois Farm Bureau, on a visit with House Ag Committee Chair David Scott on priority issues. Specifically, broadband access in rural areas, the proposed elimination of stepped-up basis and climate change and the need for permanent disaster aid relief funding.
The June 30 acreage and stocks report and the market reaction.
Dangers of flash flooding with John Baranick, DTN Weather.
Affordability of the 4th of July Cookout.
Purchases of Land as a long-term investment as a result of the Pandemic.

Matt Kaye reports on cattle market concentration, cattle pricing, and the various ideas on how to address these issues with federal assistance.
Tom Heinold, Army Corp of Engineers, talks about the river conditions before and after recent rains. He also highlights funding for the Illinois Waterway.
Dr. Bart Fisher, Texas A&M Agriculture and Food Policy Center, shares information on his analysis of tax policy that proposed elimination of stepped-up basis and decrease of estate tax exemption.
Congressional Members urging the EPA and the Army Corp of Engineers for public input on the Navigable Water rule.

Matt Kaye reports on EPA extensions of biofuel waivers for small refiners and the uncertainty in the Biofuels industry.
Ivan Dozer, State Conservationist NRCS on the recent rains and the conservation efforts on display.
Crop Watcher Report from Kevin Raber, Wabash County, on wheat harvest and the need for rain in his part of the state.
Crop Watcher Brent Clair from Adams County on the rain in his part of the state.
Kent Cassan provides a weather and crop report from Livingston County.

Matt Kaye reports on the Renewable Fuels industry reaction to the Supreme Court ruling on small oil refiners getting an EPA Waiver Extension.
Alan Kollmann, President Illinois Pork Producers Association talks about current issues and events in the pork industry and the association.
Rain reports from the weekend storms.

Mark Gebhards, Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities, comments on the Supreme Court ruling regarding Union Recruiting on California Farms and how it protects Private Property Rights and bipartisan movement in the Senate on an Infrastructure Bill. He also shares information on the initial steps taken by the Senate Ag Committee to investigate livestock price transparency and movement by the USDA to assist local processing facilities.
Potash pricing and availability with Mark Miller, GROWMARK’s Potash Product Manager.
Steve Bridge reports on State Legislative happenings. Representative Chris Welch provides comments on his first session as House Speaker.

Matt Kaye reports on the House Ag Committee’s discussion on cattle pricing transparency and Farm Safety Net programs.
Collin Watters, Director of Exports and Logistics with the Illinois Corn Growers association highlights the impact exports have had on the corn market.
Monica Nyman, dietitian with the St. Louis Dairy Council, compares dairy products with dairy alternatives.
Beth Whisman, Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal, talks about updates to the AgMazing Display and how a grant from Illinois Farm Bureau will help as they come out of COVID shutdown.

Matt Kaye reports on the Senate Ag Committee activities this week. The committee is tackling ethanol waivers and unfair competition in the Livestock industry.
FarmWeek’s Dan Grant reports on wheat harvest in Clinton County with Mark Krausz.
Navigating market volatility with Lawrence Kane, Total Farm Marketing by Stewart Peterson.
Men’s Health Month and suggested screenings with Dr. Jeffrey Hoschek.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addresses staffing issues at FSA and NRCS offices, but despite shortages work is still being done.
Pollinator Week commentary from Austin Omer, Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Natural Resources.
Crop Progress and Conditions report.
Crop Watcher Report from Marshall Newhouse, Boone County and Kent Casson in Livingston County.
Report on the weekend storm damage from Fulton County Farmer and Asgrow/DeKalb Agronomist Lance Tarochione.