Cattlemen vote on state checkoff
Cattlemen took advantage of the opportunity to cast their ballots for the Illinois Beef Checkoff program during the Illinois Beef Expo.
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Farmers add value by raising livestock
Raising livestock in the area where feed is grown provides opportunities. “We grow the feed here, so there is no sense shipping it thousands of miles away,” said Ron Snodgrass.
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Roots of cover crop impact go deep
When farmers plant cover crops on their fields, what happens below ground can be more important than what’s above ground.
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Turning wheat into flour is a full-time business
If you’ve gotten biscuits from McDonald’s, purchased Girl Scout cookies or enjoyed a Duncan Hines cake mix, there’s a good chance you did business indirectly with Siemer Milling.
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Latest News

Illinois FFA state president looks back on busy year

Friday, February 27, 2015 9:00 AM

FFA members across the country are celebrating National FFA Week, Feb. 21-28. The week-long event began in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week in recognition of his legacy as an agriculturist and farmer.

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FFA chapter focuses on leadership

Friday, February 27, 2015 9:00 AM

When Gretchen Keen, a senior at John Glenn High School, started her FFA journey, she wanted to be a livestock nutritionist. After deciding that this wasn’t the route for her future, Keen began searching for new opportunities. FFA helped guide her to a path she hadn’t seen coming.

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Profile: Dakota Westphal, FFA State reporter

Friday, February 27, 2015 9:00 AM

There is no “typical” day for Indiana FFA Reporter Dakota Westphal. Her itinerary could include attending chapter meetings, traveling across the state, volunteering or training for her FFA position. The hours are long, and there’s a lot of work involved, but there’s nothing Westphal would rather do.

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Ottawa alumni group forms to save FFA, ag program

Friday, February 27, 2015 8:00 AM

Just about a year ago, Joe Schmidt and Steve Wilson and some 50 or so members of the Ottawa FFA Alumni group were holding their breaths. On Feb. 23, 2014, the Ottawa High School Board met. On the agenda was a decision on whether to replace agriculture teacher and FFA adviser Kevin Cleary, who had announced his retirement at the end of that school year.

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Corn growers 'pump' for higher demand

Thursday, February 26, 2015 5:00 PM

The National Corn Growers Association is going into the gas pump business. The commodity group is working with service station chains and even manufacturers of pumps in order to expand sales of ethanol.

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Rural Voices

Focus on what's most important for farm operation

Have you ever attempted to find one person in a large crowd of people? Imagine that you aren’t sure which direction they are coming from, or which way they are heading now. You must find them only by listening for the sound of their voice in the crowd.
Blue FFA jacket celebrates birthday

Do you know someone who wore the internationally known blue corduroy jacket of FFA members? Was it a close family member, distant relative or friend? Did you wear one yourself?
Darren Frye

It’s summer, and if you have a grain operation, you’re keeping a close eye on the weather forecast. At times, the weekly forecast seems to change almost every day. Wouldn’t it be frustrating if your production plans changed as often as the weather forecast does?
Jared Finegan

This has had to be the most comfortable summer weather we have had in my adult life. Hope everyone has enjoyed all the fun summer activities this year. This cool weather has not been the best for the crops, however.
Ted Mottaz

The growing season continues to amaze me and my fellow area farmers. Just as we were starting to get a little dry with yards showing some stress, we got about 2 inches of rain for the week. The corn potential is fairly well set.

Field Editor Blogs

New coliseum dominates Indiana State Fair

Every summer a different commodity is highlighted at the Indiana State Fair. There’s been “Year of the Corn,” “Year of the Dairy Cow” and many other themes, but this year is unlike anything we’ve seen.
Spring: Farmers hard at work keeping world fed

Finally, it’s here. Spring. Warmer weather. This past week, I spent mostly on the road, traveling to five different farms in northern and north-central Illinois.
U.S grain quality top-notch for export

The U.S. Grains Council recently released a report that serves as an important piece of the competitive global market in promoting our corn.
Farmers should take time to take care of bodies, mind

Farmers are some of the hardest working people out there. Constant lifting, pushing, fixing and running between fields, balanced with maintaining a family life, they often push their bodies to the limit.
Farm stories need to be told

I’ve been told that, for a long time, farmers and ag businesses were quiet when it came to telling their stories. Stories of hard work, integrity and progress. Things to be proud of. I’m glad that I’ve heard so many of these stories over the years — even before I worked in the agriculture industry.

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Journey brings winery owners together in sorrow, happiness

Roots of cover crop impact go deep

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Indiana poised to be leader in local foods movement

Corn growers 'pump' for higher demand

Journey brings winery owners together in sorrow, happiness