RFD Illinois

Farmers are again facing rising input costs on top of continued regulatory burdens, topics of a recent Senate Ag hearing. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports.Highlights from IFB Mexico Market Study Tour with Hannah Spangler, guest include David Wirth,  Sangamon County & William Barth, Bond County.Illinois Farm Bureau's Raelynn Parmely and Kane County Farm Bureau President Dale Pitstick discuss the recent market study tour to Mexico.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities, discusses the results of Illinois' primary election and bureau legislative priorities.Dr. Connor Sible, Research Assistant Professor at University of Illinois, previews an upcoming seven month series on biologicals.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

RFD Radio Network Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports Year-round E15 approval from Congress would bring certainty for farmers eyeing down a new planting season.Chad Leman, past president of Illinois Pork Producers, talks about his experience at the National Pork Forum.Tim Ekberg, Vice President and Chief Underwriter of Country Financial, discusses a significant number of policy writers earning farm certification.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Phillip discusses input costs, board business and preparing for spring planting.Madison Wozniak, Agronomist at FMC, discusses the prime conditions for spring planting from the 2026 Commodity Classic.RFD Radio Network Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley's alternate proposal for getting year round E15 in effect.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Orion Samuelson, a decades-long ag broadcaster on WGN in Chicago, passes away. RFD Radio Network remember his numerous contributions to the field.Joe Camp, Commstock Investments, discusses soybean limits and market movement.Mike Love, Morgan's Meat Market in Mattoon and former President of the Illinois Association of Meat Producers, talks corned beef on St. Patrick's Day.Buddy Courdt, Raber Packing Company in West Peoria, has their own St. Patrick's Day delicacy: the reuben sandwich.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast and an eventual escape from winter weather.

Kevin Semlow, IFB Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities, joins the program to discuss state legislative priorities like estate tax reform.Growmark Vice President of Crop Nutrients Kreg Ruhl discusses the impact of conflict in the Middle East on moving fertilizer components around the world.The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub features at Ag Tech Day at University of Illinois.Freese Notis Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Ag leaders tells Congress biofuel policies are critical to building demand for growers, RFD Radio Network Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports.Chase Brown, Macon County farmer, talks about making a family farm work and the role livestock plays in farm ownership.Troy Uphoff, Shelby County Farmer, and Fred Below, University of Illinois Crop Physiologist, talk about yield contests and planting practices.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

RFD Radio Network Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports Ag Senator Chuck Grassley predicts the House will pass the Farm Bill soon, forcing the Senate to skip a committee markup.Meteorologist Paul Otto talks about an upcoming brief return to weather that feels like winter.Illinois Farm Bureau hosts "Rules of the Road" sessions around the state, Illinois Farm Bureau's Rodney Knittel explains the benefits.Terry Probst, Total Grain Marketing, talks about the chances of an upside for soybeans and storylines for commodity markets.Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coaltion, talks about the impacts of a dry season on shipping across the country.

A long-running fight over farmers selling land to solar power companies breaches the Farm Bill debate on the US House, RFD Radio Network Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports.Ed Shimon, National Weather Service in Lincoln, says Illinois residents need to be "weather-aware" today.Illinois Junior Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANNRS) Conference program advisor Luke Allen talks about where the conference covers.Dale Durcholz, Grain Cycles, discusses movement in the crude oil market and effects on the markets at large.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

A rollback of California's Proposition 12 animal confinement restrictions survive a House Ag Committee Farm Bill markup, RFD Radio Network Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports.Meet Lillian Helbig, from Okawville High School in Washington County, the senior is the Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month.A Rural Business Transitions webinar series begins this week a collaboration between University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, Norm Walzer with the institute has more.Mark Henderson, Henderson Weather Hub, joins the program to discuss the March weather outlook.Drake Copeland, Agronomist at FMC Corporation, discusses how weather patterns could changing planting trends.Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at the forecast.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson discusses the organization's Farm Bill interests after a big week for agriculture on Capitol Hill.Tim Abel, Director of Customer Risk Management at Growmark, joins the program to discuss the Iran conflict's impact on fuel prices and markets.Andy Heggenstaller, Syngenta, discusses a new trait aimed at soybean weed management.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

The top House Ag Democrat charged in a super-partisan farm bill mark-up the farm-food coalition is dead, and this may be the last traditional farm bill. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports.Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodities and Food Systems Tasha Bunting discusses the plans for a Market Study Tour to Mexico City, leaving next Monday.Doug Yoder, Country Financial Crop Agency manager, talks deadlines for crop insurance.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

RFD Radio Network Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports the ethanol industry now has another argument for Congress to quickly approve year-round E15 sales--the Iran Middle East conflict.Kris Reynolds, American Farmland Trust, talks about the Illinois Farm Bureau Nutrient Grant Program and the upcoming field day in Montgomery County on March 21.Shane Flowers, President of the American Association of Meat Processors, discusses the challenges related to labor in the meat industry.Dr. Michael Langemeier, Purdue University, discusses the results of this month's Center for Commercial Agriculture economy barometer.Curt Blades, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, outlines an optimistic outlook for the industry in 2026.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports the US-Iran conflict and interruptions to energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz threaten new farm input volatility at a time when US producers can least afford it.Chad Ruppert, Montgomery County Farmer, and Chas Brown, Macon County Farmer, talk about the fight to continue farming in a preview of this week's Taking Stalk podcast.USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey discusses a forecast full of rain, with more to come.Chip Nellinger, Blue Reef Agrimarketing, analyzes potential impact on bean and corn markets after U.S. action in Iran.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Glenn "G.T." Thompson, Chair of the House Ag Committee, talks about planned Farm Bill mark up this week in the House from the floor of last week's Commodity Classic.Matt Raben, Vice Chair of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, from Commodity Classic, talking about working for growers and looking for new uses for corn.USDA Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins addresses New World Screwworm from the Commodity Classic.Jed Bower, President of the National Corn Growers Association, talks about the struggle for year-round E15, RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities, follows several topics in Springfield, including the Family Farm Preservation Act.USDA Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visits the 2026 Commodity Classic and discusses the planned "One Farmer, One File" program.Richard Fordyce, Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation at USDA, talks about early efforts by the Trump Administration to modernize USDA service centers.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports as President Trump's temporary tariffs to replace those the Supreme Court struck down represent a bridge back to highly discretionary levies, according to trade experts on a recent Brookings panel discussion.Stephanie Porter, Outreach Agronomist for the Illinois Soybean Association, talks about ISA at Commodity Classic 2026, growing season concerns, and field research planned for the year.Brett Leahr, AgriGold Agronomist, describes his considerations for the upcoming planting season, including proper corn emergence and flag testing.Ted Seifred, Zaner Ag Hedge, joins the conversation with a prediction of upside and potential for currently stagnant corn markets.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye speaks with Iowa Ag Senator and Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, who predicts tariffs put in place by President Trump will persist after court challenges.Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition plans "grazing schools" for early next month. Executive Director Christian Lovell explains what farmers can learn.Robert Cossar, Croplan Seed Innovation Experience Member, talks about a growing localization of seed innovation.State Climatologist Trent Ford discusses the outlook for spring weather.Angie Setzer, Consus Ag Marketing, gives some insight on the Black Sea region, an area she's following closely.Norm Walzer, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, previews a University of Illinois Extension Rural Business Transitions webinar series.Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at your forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins comments from last weeks USDA Farm Economy Outlook.Tyler Musgrave, Musgrave Angus Farm in Pike County, discusses preparing for Spring sales.KWQC Meteorologist Cyle Dickens has your forecast, as he looks as whether winter is here to stay or ready to go.David Widmar, Ag Economic Insights, discusses similarities between now and the 1980's.Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at the coming weather. 

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on reactions after the Supreme Court's Friday 6-3 ruling striking down President Trump's tariffs, but many questions remain.Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodities and Food Systems, reminds dairy farmers the deadline is approaching soon for FSA programs to offset costs.Phillip Nelson, president of the Illinios Farm Bureau, reflects on his own FFA participation during FFA week.Kevin Good, Cattle Fax, discusses inventory from this month's National Cattlemen's Beef Association conference.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, details action expected on the 2026 Farm Bill rollout and a Bureau call to action.Dan Engel, Director of Supply and Merchandising of Crop Nutrients at Growmarks, talks about the challenges currently facing the fertility markets.Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on USDA annual outlook forum, as chief economist predicts only small crop price increases.Travis Meteer, Beef Speciailst with University of Illinois Extension, talks about the week's Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale.Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at the forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports the ethanol industry says a handful of mid-sized oil refiners are awash in cash and appear to be putting profits over a deal to market E15 year-round.Katie Brown, President of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, talks about a new USDA Food Pyramid pork back to center of the plate and message to membership for the year ahead.USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden talks about bridge payments from the Grain and Feed Association Conference in St. Louis.Ken Eriksen, Polaris Analytics and Consulting, discusses the details of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southerns' attempts to merge.Meteorlogist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson describes the events at this week's Government Affairs and Leadership Conference, as well as some of the legislative priorities for the bureau.DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick previews some potentially severe weather on the way this weekend.Retiring US Senator Dick Durbin speaks to Illinois Farm Bureau membership at the Government Affairs and Leadership Conference.Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu talks about his time speaking to Illinois Farm Bureau membership.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports a failure to find an agreement for year round E15 sales ahead of a Sunday deadline.Bill Graff, State Executive Director of the Illinois Farm Service Agency, and Shelly Sweatman, Conservation Division Chief of the Illinois FSA, talk about CRP signup with host Rita Frazer.Illinois Feed and Grain Association President Spencer Janssen covers how the organization is adapting to technological advances in the field, while Innovative Grain's Robb Houston covers what artificial intelligence use could look like at the elevator.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Bill Graff, State Executive Director of the Illinois Farm Service Agency, and Shelly Sweatman. Conservation Division Chief of the Illinois FSA, talk about CRP signup with host Rita Frazer.RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on the continued efforts to renew NAFTA.Chris Yates, Meteorlogist from WMBD, previews a coming warm-up in Illinois weather.Meteorlogist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Kevin Semlow, Department of Government Affairs and Commodities, discusses funding tangles on Capitol Hill.Dan Engel, Director of Supply and Merchandising of Crop Nutrients at Growmarks, talks about the challenges currently facing fertility markets.RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on a US Department of Agriculture and Department of Defense collaboration agreement to deter Chinese purchase of farmland.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your weekend forecast.

Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello discusses news from the EPA on Dicamba.Annie Hadden, Illinois Beef Association, discusses changes to the upcoming Illinois Beef Show.Curt Struhbar, Advance Trading, talks about what's happening in soybean markets.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Longtime free-trader and Ag Senator Chuck Grassley is having “buyer's remorse” on Congress giving up some of its tariff power to the president back in the 1960s and 70s, RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports.University of Illinois dairy researcher Dr. Phil Cardoso talks about hybrid rye research from last week's dairy summit.Scott Jensen, Financial Planning Consultant on Country Financial's markets team, has a look at Fed rates and the overall economic landscape.Kris Kline, Manager of Financial Specialists at Country Financial talks about upcoming Financial Ag Summits and how farmers can benefit.Adam Mortiz, merchandiser for Alliance Grain, talks a WASDE without much change and corn export trends.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on the latest details in an upcoming renewal of the US-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement.Henry County Farmer Rock Katschnig details the decisions farmers are making this winter as they prepare for planting season.Mercer County Farmer Chad Bell also outlines the decision making process for 2026.Robert F. Kennedy Jr., United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, talks about the process of developing a new food pyramid and protein-first dietary reccomendations from Cattle Con 2026.National Cattleman's Beef Association Dietician Shalene McNeill talks about the way beef fits into a diet.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Josh Bolen, Young Leader Conference participant from Ogle County, talks about what benefits there are at the annual conference.Western Illinois University Ag Mech Club President Owen Bull describes what it takes to host the club's annual expo.Michelle Hatfield, Midwest Foodbank, explains why the foodbank has a presence at the Midwest Truck and Trailer show.Tyler Pope, Clayton Pope Commodities, talks about what markets could look like if China goes through with buying what's expected.CASE IH Precision Segment Lead Kendal Quandahl discusses breaking down the equipment used on a farm from CattleCon.Meteorlogist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast for the week.

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, talks about what his staff manages day-to-day for Farm Bureau members.Josh Lindville, Stone X Inputs Analyst, discusses the international outlook for fertilizer costs.Shannon Welch, President of the Illinois Beef Association, talks about getting back into livestock during his college days.Meteorlogist Paul Otto has a look at the weekend's forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye says Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley believes a year-round E15 bill from the House will need to be attached to a Senate bill to survive.Henry County farmer Rock Katscgnig gives a Snowbird Report from Fort Meyers on freezing temperatures in Florida and what it means for produce.NCBA Meat Scientist Jessica Lancaster discusses work in consumer research through the Beef Checkoff as carcasses weight continues to grow.17th Street BBQ's Amy Main talks about the Murphysboro businesses' package of meat delivery for the big game.Meteorologist Paul Otto has your forecast for the week.

RFD Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports year-round E15 legislation, sidelined last year, still has broad bipartisan support in Congress.Dr. Matt Montgomery, Agronomy Education Lead at Beck's Hybrids, talks about long-term considerations farmers should have in mind for the upcoming planting season.Rachel Brown, Farm Family Resource Initiative Mental Health Specialist, previews a talk on reducing screentime for this weekend's Young Leaders Conference.AgMarket.Net co-founder Matt Bennett talks about outlooks for the planting season, while Curt Kimmel discusses strategies for corn futures.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow, as discusses important issues for the year's congressional calendar and the importance of face-to-face work.Brian Burke, John Stewart and Associates, puts a Friday market day in the red into perspective.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Illinois Farm Bureau president Philip Nelson talks about the importance and impact of the bureau's Everything Local Conference in Springfield.IFB Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow explains what's at stake as Washington works to pass appropriations bills.Sam Taylor, Rabo Bank Farm Input Analyst, discusses his Soy Summit presentation on tariffs, costs and availability.Steve Bridge, RFD Correspondent at Springfield affiliate WMAY, talks about food distribution efforts on a state level.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye says President Donald Trump pledges support for year-round E15, as a deal falls apart in Congress.Assistant Director of Agriculture for Illinois Kristi Jones kicks off the Illinois Farm Bureau Everything Local Conference in Springfield.Todd Main, Illinois Soybean Association Director of Market Development, describes new uses for soybeans from the Soy Summit.Matt Reardon, Atmospheric Scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions, talks about the grip of cold on the Midwest.Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at the forecast ahead.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports as a top ethanol state senator is accusing oil refiners of ‘moving the goal post' after a deal was worked out last week on year-round E15.Kristi Jones, Illinois Assistant Director of Ag, talks about opening the Everything Local Conference and her recent trip to India with the National State Directors of Agriculture.Jonathan Coppess, University of Illinois, talks Farm Bill progress, or lack of progress, from the IL Soy Summit.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on top House lawmaker efforts to push year-round E15 and additional farm aid.Josh Maschoff, president of Illinois Pork Producers, talks about the importance of trade with Mexico.Precision Planting's Bryce Baker explains a new product aiming to increase the performance of corn right from the time of planting.Nick Hausen, Meteorologist at Nick Hausen Weather, covers the continuing freezing cold.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on the ongoing push for year round E15.Josh Maschhoff, President of the Illinois Pork Producers, talks about new incoming board members.Jim Rasor, former Chief Meteorologist at WSIL, talks about the details of an ongoing cold snap.Joe Camp, Commstock Investments, talks about weather impact on the markets.Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at the forecast.

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, talks about budget bills and federal funding.Stephanie Porter, Illinois Soybean Association's Outreach Agronomist, discusses sulfur, how much to use and when to use it.Steve Bridge, WMAY affiliate reporter in Springfield, talks to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin about the possibility of progress on a Farm Bill.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your bitterly cold weekend forecast.

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye explains Reuters reports that China has met its commitment on buying U.S. soybeans, after the country shut out soybeans for four months of 2025.John Howell, chair of the Illinois Wheat Development Board, discusses his role from the Double Crop Forum.Ed Shimon, National Weather Service Lincoln, explains what extreme cold means for Illinois' forecast this weekend.Garrett Toay, Ag Trader Talk, looks at where corn markets could go.Meteorologist Paul Otto looks at the forecast and that upcoming bitter cold.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson joins the program ahead of the first meeting of the new board.Jim McCormick, AgMarket.net, outlines some of his concerns while taking a look at the markets following a long weekend.Matt Kaye, RFD Washington Correspondent, reports on positive outlooks for hogs and cattle in corp forecasts.Paul Otto takes a look at the forecast as bitter cold continues.

Matt Kaye, RFD Washington Correspondent, reports on potential disruptions to last year's US trade deal with the EU as European countries react to a Greenland Takeover Plan from President Donald Trump.Jason Webster, Precision Planting, outlines some agronomy decisions that matter for 2026, in a segment from the latest episode of RFD's Taking Stalk podcast.Andrew Margenot, Illinois Association of Drainage Districts, talks about the latest research from the University of Illinois on nutrient export via drainage tile.Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at continuing bitter cold.

Montgomery County Drainage Commissioner Thomas Mulch explains the importance and function of local drainage districts from the Illinois Association of Drainage Districts meeting.Outgoing president David Hake from Washington County talks about the importance of county fairs from the annual meeting of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs.Also hear incoming IAAF president Gary Mielke from the Stephenson County Fair.Meteorologist Paul Otto shares details on an ongoing cold snap.