RFD Illinois

Mark Gebhards Executive Director Gov’t Affairs & Commodities for Illinois Farm Bureau recaps the Illinois General Assembly spring session.
Matt Kaye reports on debt ceiling, we review fertilizer prices; and Ernie Goss talks Creighton Rural Mainstreet Index.

The GOP-White House debt limit deal if enacted will have a direct bearing on how much farm bill writers get and how they shape farm policy to meet the growing needs of producers for the next 5-years. RFD Washington corr Matt Kaye reports. Mark Litteken, Clinton County farmer and President of the Clinton County Farm Bureau talks about harvesting his rye and clover this week and his success with cover crops over the past decade.
Plus weekly crop report numbers and Tyler Schau, Ag Market.Net talks markets.

Debt Ceiling updates from the weekend from Washington and RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on the debate over Farm Bill funding, Mark Gebhards Executive Director Gov’t Affairs and Commodities talks about the importance of the upcoming Nutrient Stewardship Field Days in Illinois.
Meteorologist Mike Albano from the National Weather Service, Lincoln, details a dry outlook.

As the U.S. red meat industry faces several challenges, exports provided a bright spot as U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) members gathered in Minneapolis last week for the organization’s Spring Conference, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom points out some of the areas where exports bolster the industry’s economic outlook. Eric Mittenthal President of the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council and Chief Strategy Officer North American Meat Institute talks about ‘Protein Pact for the People, Animals, and Climate of Tomorrow.’ Plus, Charlyn Fargo, SIU Med School, talks Memorial Day grilling.

The US Supreme Court in a landmark ruling, has redefined Waters of the US under the Clean Water Act, effectively killing a key pillar of the Biden WOTUS rule. RFD Washington corr. Matt Kaye reports. Plus WOTUS react from Illinois Farm Bureau’s Lauren Lurkins and AFBF’s Courtney Briggs.
Profit Watch Energy with Scott Wilson GROWMARK Energy Risk Management, fuel prices into Memorial Day; Steve Bridge with Illinois State Budget update.

Ag lawmakers are pushing legislation to help farmers vying for oversubscribed EQIP conservation contracts. RFD Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports, & more highlights from The Illinois Wheat Association wheat Tour and reaction from Mark Miller of Mennel Milling Co. Mt. Olive and Dave Devore, Siemer Milling Co. Teutopolis
Darin Newsom & Bill Tierney discuss the current corn market.

Mark Gebhards Executive Director Gov’t Affairs & Commodities at Illinois Farm Bureau talks General Assembly wrapping up spring session, ag bills to watch and federal debt ceiling debate in D.C.
NRCS and FSA heads faced tough questions on funding, alternative fuels and equity at House Ag Conservation subcommittee hearing. RFD Washington corr. Matt Kaye reports.
FarmWeekNow's Dan Grant provides coverage of the Southern Illinois Wheat Tour with Illinois Wheat Association president Mark Krausz.

NASS numbers plus Adams County Crop Watcher Brent Clair on “flash drought”.
Wayne Sirles, co-owner/operator of Rendleman Orchards near Alto Pass (Union Co) talks about the spring fruit crop and specifically looks at the peach crop.
A House subcommittee fight over FY ’24 USDA and FDA spending touches on some of the same hurdles faced in last-minute talks to avoid a debt default and likely to spill over into the farm bill. RFD Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports.

Animal disease preparedness is a ‘must’ for the next farm bill according to livestock industry leaders at a recent farm bill hearing. RFD Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports.
IFCA's KJ Johnson provides post-application reminders.
Illinois FFA's Mindy Bunselmeyer is gearing up for state convention next month.
Tom Dosdall, StoneX, discusses falling commodity prices.

RFD Correspondent Matt Kaye reports from the Nation's Capital. Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert on legislative issues at the state and national level. In the weekly Profit Watch Energy Segment, Stephen Nicholson RaboResearch on where biofuels play into their long-term outlook. Steve Bridge reports on the State's budget making process.