RFD Illinois

We get an update on USMCA’s progress in the Senate and a look ahead to this week’s Illinois Specialty Crop Conference, beginning Wednesday in Springfield.

In this edition of The Corner Economist, Mike Dougherty, IFB Senior Economist, talks about the dollar’s strength and also has some items to watch now that we’ve hit 2020.

Hear Matt Kaye’s Washington Report on the Senate's work on USMCA this month and the State House Report with Steve Bridge covering the success of the first legal day sales of adult-use marijuana in Illinois. Listen to the 4Fs report and a preview of farm legacy seminars IFB will host in February along with Country Financial.

Rita gives a preview the role broadband will have with policymakers, as well as with those charged to provide services to unreached rural areas. We also visit with IFB’s director of environmental policy, Lauren Lurkins, who provides details of the grants provided under IFB’s Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program.

Rita talks with Jeff Cox, Illinois Department of Agriculture Hemp Program, and Dr. Matt Montgomery, Pioneer Field Agronomist, who looks back at 2019 and ahead to 2020.

Rita talks with Adam Nielson, Director of National Legislation at IFB, about the best of 2019 and the agenda for 2020 AFBF Annual Meeting Jan 17-22 in Austin, TX.

Mike Doherty, IFB Senior Economist, aka “The Corner Economist,” says a strong holiday retail shopping season isn’t necessarily good news for retail jobs in rural areas. Rita talks with Brad Zwilling FBFM about year-end advice for farmers and Jeff Adkisson about the 2020 Illinois Grain and Feed Association Annual Meeting in Feb.

State House Report with Steve Bridge explaining the new laws taking effect in Illinois on January 1, and Matt Kaye RFD Washington Corr reports on Senate Action coming up next month on USMCA. The second segment of RFD Illinois includes the 4F’s report, where GROWMARK’s Harry Cooney says this is traditionally a good time to take advantage of low fuel costs for the upcoming year.

Rita talks with Adam Nielsen, Director of National Legislation for IFB, about the EPA's announcement of the final rule for 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements, Aso hear from Congressman Darin LaHood about the 2020 Lock and Dam closures and Jeff Adkisson ,Executive Director Grain and Feed Association of Illinois, as he reflects on 2019.

We visit with Freese-Notis meteorologist Dan Hicks about how long these temperatures will remain warmer than average.