FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio

At FarmWeek, RFD Radio Network® and FarmWeekNow, we work together to cover the news that matters to Illinois farmers and other rural Illinoisans.

[Rural Development @usdaRD]

Innovation in action!

USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Glen Smith (center) and @RD_Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega (left) caught up with RFD Radio’s James Taylor (right) at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, @RD_Iowa, to discuss the latest advancements in agriculture and rural programs.

An annual three-day event, the Farm Progress Show is the nation’s largest outdoor farm event, hosting more than 600 exhibitors from around the world.

[RD_Illinois @RD_Illinois]

Thank you for the conversation @FarmWeekNow!

[Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools @AIRSSedu]

"The reality is the shortage is still a critical issue for rural schools." Our CTE Project Program Director John Glasgow was recently quoted by @FarmWeekNow in this article about the rural teacher shortage. Read more: https://t.co/XvYFh5WUya
https://t.co/XvYFh5WUya

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

In southern Illinois, #harvest26 is off to an early start. A Massac County Farm Bureau member tells @RBranch_FW he cut his first soybean field this week, adding it's the earliest he can remember ever cutting beans. https://t.co/cOv25Cip99

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

Pro Farmer Crop Tour scouts estimated Illinois' #corn yield is down nearly 15 bushels from the 2025 estimate and the three-year average, while #soybean pod counts are up 2.9% from average. https://t.co/x8gTFpZ0Xo

[IL Corn @ilcorn]

Research center 'lost gem' for southern Illinois https://t.co/K5AZ1Bi7Bp via @FarmWeekNow

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

In its latest crop progress and condition report, USDA estimated 31% of Illinois corn had dented and 1% was mature, both ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans setting pods reached 85%, in line with last season and 3 percentage points ahead of average.
https://t.co/yipFmDfzuB

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

Speaking with reporters on the first day of the Illinois State Fair, Gov. JB Pritzker said he wants to see the Illinois Farm Bureau-backed Family Farm Preservation Act passed during this legislative session in Springfield. #twill https://t.co/SB4RVKs3Ka

[farmdoc daily @farmdocDaily]

@farmdocDaily's Gary Schnitkey told @FarmWeekNow that several factors are keeping #farm #equipment #costs high, including broad inflation, interest expenses remaining elevated and repair costs that continue to increase.

https://t.co/KaWAfZ83De

[DeLoss Jahnke @delossjahnke]

RFD Profit Watch, @FarmWeekNow:
- @cstrubhar, @trust_ati
-Will Law, Artison Cafe in Litchfield
-Weather with Dennis Michelsen, WITY Danville

https://t.co/fZ8OfCt4pA

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to dominate the weather conversation, but there's no signs of the smoke slowing Illinois' crop development, per USDA's #crop progress and condition report Monday. https://t.co/1DBtIrg38X

[Illinois Farm Bureau @ILFarmBureau]

What could become Illinois Farm Bureau's next policy priorities?

Last week, the Resolutions Committee tackled proposals on everything from local, state, and federal topics. These recommendations all started the same way: with ideas submitted by Illinois Farm Bureau members.

See which proposals are advancing to IFB Annual Meeting, where delegates will consider them this December: https://t.co/fQPjXO7gq9

@FarmWeekNow

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

Do you know a Certified Crop Adviser who's demonstrated outstanding or innovative service to farmers? Nominations for the Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Award open next week. @IL_CCA https://t.co/K1OcTQOWG5

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

A report from @NationalCorn shows U.S. farmers pay premiums for some of their key inputs compared to Brazilian farmers — their largest global competitor. In some cases, the premiums are more than double those paid by farmers in South America. https://t.co/EdBZOU1Hv3

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

The @FTC and five states — including Illinois — reached a settlement with Deere & Company Wednesday that gives farmers and independent mechanics access to repair tools and software that were previously only available for authorized dealers. More info ⬇️ https://t.co/CpenizgcT6

[Illinois Farm Bureau @ILFarmBureau]

https://t.co/kFET5NpqNa #USMCA Update from @FarmWeekNow

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

3/3) IFB has taken a diverse approach to USMCA's renewal, including organizing a Market Study Tour to Mexico earlier this year and facilitating lawmaker visits to Illinois farms, among other measures. https://t.co/X2OAssgyQQ

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

1/3) Illinois Farm Bureau members are urging the renewal of the U.S.- Mexico-Canada Agreement as the renewal process gets underway. Farmers who spoke with FarmWeek say they're worried...

[FarmWeekNow/RFD Radio @FarmWeekNow]

2/3) about the implications for trade if it is not renewed. Mexico and Canada are the largest trading partners for the U.S. — and #ag exports have risen by $20 billion since USMCA took effect in 2020. https://t.co/BLNpYN51c8

[Illinois Farm Bureau @ILFarmBureau]

Farmers are resilient.

They're tightening budgets, delaying purchases, and finding ways to make every dollar stretch further. But after 12 straight quarters of economic decline, the pressure on farm families is real.

More on the current state of the farm economy from @FarmWeekNow https://t.co/iOws9SfViG