Category Archives: Agribusiness

Rains stalled the progress of the Illinois harvest last week

Rains stalled the progress of the Illinois harvest last week

By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 2.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 17, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 61.4 degrees, 5.5 above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.83 inches, 1.23 above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus.…MORE

Illinois farmers are closer to completing the harvest

Illinois farmers are closer to completing the harvest

By USDA (Weekly Progress Report) There were 4.2 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 10, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 68.8 degrees, 12.2 above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.88 inches, 0.21 above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 4 percent very short, 17 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 5 percent…MORE

Illinois’ harvest is zipping along

Illinois’ harvest is zipping along

By USDA SPRINGFIELD -There were 6.0 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 3, 2021. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 9 percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 8 percent very short, 29 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 1 percent…MORE

Illinois’ harvest continues

Illinois’ harvest continues

By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.5 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 26, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 64.0 degrees, 2.7 above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.21 inches, 0.38 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 29 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 2 percent…MORE

Warm and dry this past week for Illinois farmers

Warm and dry this past week for Illinois farmers

By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 19, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 73.2 degrees, 7.0 above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.18 inches, 0.71 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 27 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 1 percent…MORE

Illinois crops are into the harvest

Illinois crops are into the harvest

By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 5, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 70.7 degrees, 0.8 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 1.24 inches, 0.58 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 8 percent very short, 17 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 8…MORE

Farmers in Illinois have updated their 2021 predictions

Farmers in Illinois have updated their 2021 predictions

By USDA SPRINGFIELD – September yield forecast for 2021 season. Corn: Planted area is estimated at 11.0 million acres, down 3 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.8 million acres, is down 3 percent from 2020. Based on September 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield is forecast at a record 214 bushels per…MORE

Illinois crops are looking for the home stretch

Illinois crops are looking for the home stretch

By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 5, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 70.7 degrees, 0.8 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 1.24 inches, 0.58 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 8 percent very short, 17 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 8…MORE

Farm Progress Show underway in Decatur

Farm Progress Show underway in Decatur

  By RFD Radio DECATUR – The Farm Progress Show is back in person this year and gets underway Tuesday in Decatur. Show promoter Matt Jungmann says 90% of the event will be held outdoors. Those entering an indoor exhibit will be asked to wear a mask. Jungmann says there will be plenty to see and…MORE

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…