Dr. Austin Omer, Associate Director of Natural Resource Policy joins the show to talk about the Monarch Project. He highlighted pollinator habitat projects being conducted by county farm bureaus across the state. Dan Grant provides a View from the Cab with Julie Newhouse, Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau president. They discussed priorities and activities for the CFB coming out of the pandemic. Julie also shared information about activities on her farm and her family’s involvement. Katie Wilson, Montgomery County Farm Bureau Manager, hosted the monthly Manager to Manager segment visiting with Makayla Karrick, Jackson County Farm Bureau Manager. First time FarmWeek crop watcher, David Mool from northern McLean County provided a report from his part of the state.

Colleen Callahan, Director of Illinois Department of Natural Resources, discusses public input meetings regarding the State Water Plan. The marketing and future renaming of the Asian Carp as a species of value was reviewed. In the second segment, the Duck Blind draw conducted by IDNR staff in the coming months and the need for Conservation Police officer applicants is covered. Boat operator safety wrapped up the segment. Rachel Peabody, Director of Communications, Illinois Soybean Association discussed the update to the ISA Field and Bean publication. Trade has been a priority issue covered by ISA and she discusses the efforts by ISA to reinforce the importance of trade to farmers and legislators. The final segment provides a weather update with Bryce Anderson, DTN Weather.

Weekly visit with Illinois Farm Bureau’s Mark Gebhards, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities, on state and federal legislative issues. Don Schaefer, Midwest Truckers discusses infrastructure challenges, truck driver shortages. Wrapping up the show is Karl Setzer from AgriVisor with commentary on the markets.

Gebhards Five
-Carbon bank ,USDA
-30X30
-Biden Trade Agenda reveal next week
-IDOA pesticide reports and State Fair plans for August
-Eye on Springfield and Spring Session
Also, Mike Doherty Sr. Economist Illinois Farm Bureau talks about the Jobs Report and the U.S. Economy

Josh St.Peters Executive Vice President of the Illinois Beef Association and DeAnne Bloomberg Director of Issues Management Illinois Farm Bureau join Rita for a Beef Roundup! Topics of discussion include the economic challenges facing cattlemen and short demand from packers. St. Peters says "We are working on multiple fronts to raise awareness and identify any potential policy updates." He says, "IBA work is in parallel to NCBA activity, and I'm working closely with national staff in Denver and Washington D.C. to support broader efforts on behalf of the Illinois' beef producers."

Brad Beaver Acting Bureau Chief Bureau Environmental Programs Illinois Department of Ag gives and update on the 2021 private applicator testing numbers
& Nicole Moore Illinois Department of Ag Marketing previews the Illinois State Fair Farmers Market season that kicks on 5-13-21