RFD Illinois

Rita talks Mental Health awareness with members of Arukah, a mental health clinic in Princeton.
DeLoss speaks with Mark Bremer in Massac County who is still dodging rain to get his crop in.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye gives an update on the JBS cyberattack
DeLoss Jahnke has the Friday 4F's Report with Darin Copleand from Prairie Farms Dairy

Mark Gebhards, Executive Director Governmental Affairs and Commodities for Illinois Farm Bureau, provides a summary of the spring General Assembly Session.
Weather summary for the month of May.
Matt Kaye reports on the USDA and other Government Agencies response to the JBS Cyber Attacks.

Matt Kaye reports on the number of internal combustion engines on the road and how that number conflicts with the Biden Administration’s goal for all electric vehicles sales by 2030 or 2035. Concern for the potential decrease in Biofuels demand is one raised by Senator Chuck Grassley.
Jim Mintert, Purdue Ag Economist, provides analysis on the Ag Barometer Report released June 1.
Crop Watcher report from Mark Kerber and Kent Casson, RFD Affiliate WGCY, both in Livingston County.
Toni Dunker, Advance Trading on the Livestock Markets, and the reaction to the JBS Cyber Attack.

General Assembly update with Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of State Legislation. Highlights the budget and redistricting maps passed as the session concluded.
June Surveys and Reporting for USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Matt Kaye reports on the impact tax policies that could hinder farmland transfers and sales and the impact of reduction in line speeds could have in pork processing plants.
Jenny Webb, Illinois Farm Bureau Member Engagement Manager, discusses Young Leader Programs and Award Application Deadlines.
Markets and Weather.

Matt Kaye reports that despite pandemic recovery, record ag exports and commodity prices there are worries of complacency when pursuing new Trade Agreements.
Steve Bridge highlights activity on the final days of the spring Illinois General Assembly session.
Jennifer Tirey, Executive Director Illinois Pork Producers, on the kickoff of the 2021 IPPA Future Leaders Program.
National Hamburger Day and the options available at the store.
Fuel prices ahead of the holiday weekend.
Markets and Weather

Matt Kaye reports on comments made by the Tax Policy Chief Nominee on Capital Gains Tax versus Stepped Up Basis at death and how that would impact family farms.
Jeff Adkisson, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois, provides comments on labor needs at grain elevators.
Ivan Dozier, State Conservationist, Natural Resource Conservation Service, reports on progress of Conservation programs.
Curt Blades, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, shares information on the strong demand for Equipment of all sizes.
The timeline of Farmland Assessment and resources available is discussed with Brenda Matherly, Director of Local Government Illinois Farm Bureau.

Mark Gebhards, Executive Director Governmental Affairs and Commodities, Illinois Farm Bureau discusses the proposed redistricting maps for Illinois Legislative Districts, proposed legislation affecting the state energy plan and the state budget. Randy Graham with Curtis Orchard, Chris Walden from Big Al’s Shakeups and Mark Stock, Big Iron Online Auctions, discuss Supply and Demand issues impacting their respective business sectors. USDA’s 90-day progress report on Climate Smart agriculture and Forestry strategies is covered.

Grain Bin safety and rescue training for First Responders with Dave Newcomb, University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. Large predatory animals, like mountain lions or black bears, are starting to travel to areas not typical to their patterns. Peggy Doty with the University of Illinois Extension discusses this behavior and why it is occurring. FarmWeek crop watcher Dan Herriott from Champaign county gave a planting and crop progress report. Kent Casson from RFD Affiliate WGCY provides a crop report from Livingston County. Popcorn crop discussion with Andrew Bowman from Knox County. They produce popcorn under the label Pilot Knob Comforts.