Crop Insurers, lenders, and Farm Credit officials told Ag senators crop insurance is the most important farm bill safety net but needs to be improved. RFD Washington corr. Matt Kaye reports. Bill Bodine Director of Business & Regulatory Affairs Illinois Farm Bureau talks about the Broadband listening and virtual sessions being held by Illinois Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.
Clark Willhite with GROWMARK talks Lubricants and Steve Bridge provides a state capital report.
Plus overnight markets and ag weather.

Illinois Pork Producers were at the State Capitol yesterday to celebrate the first Illinois Bacon Day and bring attention to the low pig prices at the farm gate and the importance of family farms. RFD Radio’s Rita Frazer spoke with Peoria County pig farmer, Cheryl Walsh, President-Elect IPPA and Jill Brokaw, Aledo pig farmer and IPPA Dist.One Director. DeLoss Jahnke talks with Todd Hultman DTN/Progressive Farmer on market moves. Jim Taylor has the early morning markets and weather.

RFD Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on the need for increased farm bill spending to meet soaring input and interest costs, inflation, foreign competition, and disasters, yet the looming debt ceiling crisis may prevent that. Jennifer Smith, IAA Foundation announces this year’s IAA Scholarship winners. Jim Mintert, shares the Purdue CME Group Ag Barometer for April. Joe Camp, Commstock Investments on the declining markets.

Matt Kaye reports on the FSA staff shortage discussion before the House Ag Committee. May is Beef Month & Dave Lidy Beef & Dairy Specialist with Total Livestock Services talks about the number of former dairy farms feeding beef cattle in south-central Illinois. Recap of crop planting numbers and State climatologist Trent Ford on the current weather pattern.

Mark Gebhards. Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director Governmental Affairs & Commodities provides an update on legislative and regulatory issues. Brad Rippey, USDA, shares the news that there still may be some cool weather to deal with. May is beef month! Brian Alwan, Alwan & Sons Meat Co, talks grilling. Early morning markets and weather.

A report from Washington DC as EPA’s summertime E15 waiver deadline is Monday. Steve Bridge reports on the state budget discussions amidst Illinois’ improving fiscal health. Profit Watch Energy with Sam Hudson, Cornbelt Marketing and we say farewell to colleague Kay Shipman.

A Farm Bill report from Washington DC and Rita Frazer introduces us to two young farmers working this spring in Illinois and planning for the future. Arlan Suderman, Stone X on falling corn market. Kelvin Schill, COUNTRY Financial on potential ways to lower car insurance premiums.

A report from Washington DC. Jim Taylor talks with Randy Graham, Curtis Orchard, on the recent cold temperatures and mitigations efforts to protect their crops. Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert from the field. Lance Tarchione DeKalb Asgrow agronomist on considerations for Plant 23.

A report from Washington DC as EPA Chief Michael Reagan testified before the House Ag Committee on the Administration’s Biofuels Policies. National Weather Service Senior Service Hydrologist Matt Wilson provides a Mississippi River flooding update. FarmWeek Crop Watcher Todd Easton in Coles County on planting progress and conditions. Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien Ag Solutions on when warmer temperatures may arrive.

The U.S. says Russia continues to undermine the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a global food lifeline also key for world fertilizer supplies, RFD Washington Correspondent Reports., Ryan Whitehouse Associate Director of Local Gov’t Political Engagement talks about the success of the Allies in Ag program. Retired Meterologist Jim Rasor on where is the warm weather?? Ali Preston with the latest Cultivating our Communities feature.