RFD Today

Monthly check-in with Don Schaefer from Mid-West Truckers Association. Jeff Guilander provides a CropWatcher report from Jersey County. Dave Newcomb from the Illinois Fire Service Institute promotes a grain bin rescue operations course later this summer. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan shares the takeways from his latest trip to Washington D.C.Coverage of the Illinois FFA Convention, including interviews with new Illinois FFA President Natalie Pratt, first ever Illinois FFA Sentinel Paige Sierens, and Illinois FFA Treasurer Kaydance Wooton.

Illinois Star winners from the Illinois FFA Convention.Star in Agribusiness—Taylor Crouch from Maroa-Forsyth FFA.Star in Ag Placement—Reed Naughton from Olympia FFA.Star in Agriscience—Kade Boatman (goes by middle name) from Byron FFA.Star Farmer—Kade Beckmier (goes by middle name) from Taylorville FFA.Illinois Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Kristi Jones from the Illinois FFA Convention.  Valent's Ron Estes talks soybean production and responding to early growing season challenges.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza provides reaction to the recently approved state budget and also recaps a visit to southern Illinois.  Schuyler County Farm Bureau President Chris Vogler discusses the deer nuisance legislation that won approval during the spring legislative session in Springfield.  U-of-I Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks lightning bugs and fireflies.  

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan and and IFB Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow recap the spring legislative session in Springfield. Doug Uphoff provides a CropWatcher report from Shelby County.  Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto talks a back-and-forth temperature pattern in June.  

A recap from the IHSA bass fishing state finals at Lake Shelbyville. Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for June, Caleb Zwilling from Fisher High School in Champaign County.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.

Reaction to the recently completed spring legislative session in Springfield from KJ Johnson with the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association and Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business & Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine. Previewing the Classic Green Reunion, an event for John Deere collectors from across the country.  

Update from State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes.Celebrating the deep history of the Macoupin County Fair, which dates back to 1852.Aledo Rhubarb Festival this weekend.  

Coverage of the Illinois Beef Association Annual Meeting and awards program.Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems Tasha Bunting provides monthly update.Illinois FFA Center Executive Director Mindy Bunselmeyer details plans for next week's Illinois FFA Convention. Paul Wappel with the Illinois Department of Transportation highlights the summer construction season.  

National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider gives an update on his term. BASF technical service rep Jared Roskamp discusses spring planting season and early growing conditions.DTN ag memeteorologist John Baranick details active weather over the first two weeks of June.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of State Legislation Chris Davis recaps the recently completed spring legislative session. Brent Clair provides a CropWatcher report from Adams County. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow talks state and national issues. Tim Thompson provides an Illinois Corn Marketing Board update. We visit with IAA Foundation Distinguished Scholar Jack Jungmann.  Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Program Coordinator Perry Harlow promotes District Young Leader discussion meets.  

OSF Healthcare Regional Stroke Navigator Leslie Ingold highlights Stroke Awareness Month. We talk local foods with Brian Elias and Kyle McAdams of Pink Tiger Farm in Goreville, a small farm focusing on farm-to-jar chili powders.

Jennifer Russell with the Illinois Lyme Association highlights Lyme Disease Awareness Month. IAA Foundation Distinguished Scholar Jay Bliler from Christian County.Whiteside County Farm Bureau Manager Matt Lillpop details Junior Vet University.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo talks strawberry season in Illinois.Ron Moore provides a CropWatcher report from Warren County. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford details June outlook.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week. 

Highlighting the first year of the Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month program. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse provides reaction to the budget reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. House this week. We kick off the Illinois county fair season with Bob Zellers from the Martinsville Ag Fair.  Darin Copeland with Prairie Farms Dairy talks partnership with Indy 500.  

Licensed Professional Counselor Rachel Brown discusses mental health issues within the ag industry.  Claire Shipp with American Farmland Trust provides a May update.   Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government Ryan Tate recaps the spring conference of the Illinois Association of County Officials.  Zak Swanson with Channel Seed discusses spring planting season. 

Illinois Farm Bureau President talks Family Farm Preservation Act discussions in Springfield and the budget reconciliation bill in Washington. Illinois Department of Transportation's Paul Wappel highlights traffic safety entering the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Illinois FFA Center Executive Director Mindy Bunselmeyer previews next month's Illinois FFA Convention. A Pioneer agronomy segment from Scott Eversgerd in southern Illinois.  

Family Nurse Practitioner Bethany Huelskoetter with OSF HealthCare in Godfrey discusses summer safety as we head toward Memorial Day Weekend.Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Manager Gracie Pierson says the "We are the 96" campaign continues to garner recognition. DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says northwest Illinois and west central Illinois getting some needed moisture today.  

Shelbyville High School bass fishing coach Greg Harkins details the effort to bring the IHSA state bass fishing finals to Lake Shelbyville. Courtney Sandidge provides a CropWatcher report from Mason County.  Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Seven with Kevin featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. Monthly update from Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.  IL Corn's Megan Dwyer testifies before Senate Ag Committee.  Jennifer Russell with the Illinois Lyme Association brings attention to Lyme Disease Awareness Month.  

Matt Lynch gives a report on lack of planting progress in Edwards County. Monthly update from Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.Manager-to-Manager segment features retiring Adams County Farm Bureau Manager Shawn Valter and his replacement Annabelle Schaffnit. Galesburg FFA Vice President Payton Crist talks growth in their membership numbers. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Bena Pegg details IFB pollinator grants. U of I Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks spring gardening. IFB Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel provides a monthly update.A Pioneer agronomy segment from Emily Huber.  

Covering U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson's visit to Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan's Ogle County farm. Jackson, of Chicago, is a member of the House Ag Committee.Galesburg FFA Alumni Chapter President Ben Yeutson details the effort to grow numbers within the Galesburg FFA Chapter. Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto says after a warm-up this week temperatures will fall back below normal to finish May.  

Don Schaefer with Mid-West Truckers Association details a truck inspection blitz this week.Larry Hummel provides a CropWatcher report from Lee County. We meet Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month Natalie Pratt from Amboy High School.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities.  Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza talks "Cheesecake Day" and the spirit of bipartisanship.  Illinois Farm Bureau Legacy of Leadership Scholarship recipient Haley Bode.  

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes provides a May update. Devin Bollman with the Illinois Beef Association talks May Beef Month.Coverage of Bacon Day at the Illinois State Capitol with the Illinois Pork Producers Association's Jennifer Tirey.  

We visit with Chris Schwarz from the Illinois High School Association about the state bass fishing finals moving to Lake Shelbyville.A Pioneer agronomy segment from western Illinois with Brad Mason.Checking in with Mary-Thomas Hart, chief counsel for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting "Washington Watch". 

We meet the new President and CEO of the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Amanda Martin. Talking county fairs with Jack Ratcliffe from the Boone County Fair.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says to expect a dry stretch of weather over the next 7-to-10 days.  

Matt and Heather Gritton discuss their Gray Matters Collective Ag Chapter in Henry County.  Brent Corners provides a CropWatcher report from Jefferson County.  An Illinois Ag in the Classroom update from Kevin Daugherty.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

A power packed Illinois Farm Bureau show with Kevin Semlow, Bill Bodine, Taylor Hartke, Lori Jackson, and Ashley Beutke. 

Celebrating 100 years of RFD Radio Network affiliate WJBC in Bloomington with Scott Miller.State Master Gardener Coordinator Candice Anderson highlights regional celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program. Learning about Pivot Energy from Illinois territory manager Nate Mendez.  

Lynn Weis with the Farm Family Resource Initiative discusses next month's Rural Mental Health Summit at the Agricenter in Bloomington. Crystal Williams provides a Pioneer agronomy segment from northern Illinois. The Illinois What Association promotes the Southern Illinois Wheat Tour.  

Jenna Spychal talks Jonamac Orchard and Illinois Specialty Growers Association.  Reaction to the Illinois Wheat Checkoff referendum being approved.  Paul Otto at Freese-Notis Weather discusses dry weather potential in May.  

Jennifer Smith discusses IAA Foundation scholarship awards.Jimmy Ayers provides a CropWatcher report from Sangamon County. State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark details a "100 Days Out" event.  Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan discusses a number of issues, including Family Farm Preservation Act and trade.   Catching up with Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Johnna Fulcher.  Sherrard FFA President Levi Schurr promotes a Livestock Fitting Clinic.  Pioneer agronomist Jason McVicker provides an update along the I-80 corridor in northern Illinois. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Economic & Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely takes a deep dive into the "2025 Tax Debate". A chat with Cook County Farm Bureau leadership--President Janet McCabe and Vice President Gerry Kopping. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford recaps spring weather thus far and discusses the outlook for the remainder of April and all of May.   

Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team members Alex Paul and Janella Neary highlight the strength of 4-H across the state.   Joel Barickman provides a CropWatcher report from Livingston County.  Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs historian David Engelbrecht talks the importance of county fairs in Illinois.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.   

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities provides his latest "Seven with Kevin" segment.  An update from American Farmland Trust.A local effort in Golconda to refurbish an 1887 building into a community center.  We meet Jersey-Greene County Farm Bureau Manager Macey Wellhausen.

We visit with western Illinois native Jon DeClerck. He is being honored by the Texas Tech Department of Animal and Food Sciences Hall of Fame, earning the Graduate of Distinction with Advanced Degree Award.Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo promotes the Market Maker local foods directory.  Bryan Thomas, Specialty Crops Portfolio Manager at Bayer Crop Science discusses grain sorghum products.

District 3 FCAE Program Advisor Allie Bode provides an Illinois ag education update. Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs with some reminders for Financial Literacy Month.  Monica Nyman with the St. Louis District Dairy Council discusses steps in changing your self-care routine. A Pioneer agronomy segment from southern Illinois with Jeremiah Jones. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow recaps his 29th Illinois Ag Legislative Day.CropWatcher Ken Taake provides an update from Pulaski County in southern Illinois. Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Bena Pegg discusses Nutrient Stewardship Field Days and pollinator grants.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick talks more rain in the forecast for the remainder of April. 

Monthly visit with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.Update from Don Schaefer with the Mid-West Truckers Association. Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for April, Isabella Bunting from Dwight Township High School.Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.