Mark Gebhards, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Illinois Farm Bureau, on activities affecting agriculture and rural America in Congress. Broadband access, Infrastructure funding, climate change, the need for permanent disaster aid relief funding, WOTUS rule changes were discussed. On the state front, the status of the energy bill was highlighted. The IFB Resolutions Committee meets next week, and Mark provided a preview in advance of the session.
Kelly Estes, State Coordinator for the Illinois Pest Survey Program on current pest reporting including cicadas, Japanese beetles. Sweeping has begun for the statewide survey. She talked about the need for volunteers for rootworm traps across the state to further investigate the population.
Mark Schleusener, National Ag Statistics Service on the June 30 crop acreage and grain stocks report.
Dave Fischer, retired Extension Dairy Educator, on his career and his recent recognition by Holstein Association, USA with the Distinguished Leadership award.
DeLoss Jahnke from the National Red Power Roundup at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. He met with one of the organizers, Jerome Ripperda from Clinton County. He talks about his involvement with the antique tractor club at the state and national level and his passion for antique International Harvester and Case IH tractors.