Franklin County Farm Bureau

By J. Larry Miller

Periodic rain the last couple of weeks had farmers waiting in the shed for soybean harvest to begin in earnest. Now combines are running everywhere and some of the reports that I am hearing is that yields are better than expected but highly variable. I have heard of some 50 bushel per acre soybeans but have also heard of some 10 bushel per acre soybeans. Some frost could be seen the last few mornings but I have not seen any damage.

Rain has also prevented any wheat planting in the last few days because of wet ground conditions. Warmer and drier weather would be a welcome change. I cannot believe that I just made that statement after the summer we have gone thru.

As activity in the field picks up, more equipment will be moving on the roadways and we ask that everyone be patient as these big machines move down the road. Farmers need to be aware of traffic and move equipment in slower traffic hours. Please pull big machines off of the road where possible and let traffic behind you move on so that congestion is not behind you!

Army worms have caused some problems in pastures and wheat field but the rain and cooler temperatures should curb some of this problem.

Farmers who want to be on the cutting edge of technology and be in-the-know can now download a Free IFB app for your iPhone or iPad from the App Store on your Apple device or an Android device App from Google.

  The Apps for all these devices will bring you the latest information from IFB, including FB ACT Alerts, Weather, Cash and Futures quotes. The Apps also feature information about IFB member benefits, events and special activities. Contact information for the Illinois County Farm Bureau offices and IFB are also readily available.

The Apps were designed to bring up-to-date information to farmers wherever they happen to be, when they need it. This will allow farmers to make informed business decisions and to participate in IFB activities when the need arises.

 You can set your App to bring you Illinois weather and cash bids from your current location or set it to always default to a specific Zip Code. You can customize the futures quotes to provide grain, livestock or quotes for both.

 To get your Free app:

  iPhone or iPad: Go the App Store on your device and search for ILFB or Illinois Farm Bureau.  When the search returns the Illinois Farm Bureau app, click on the install button and download it to your device as you would any other free app.

  Android:  Go to the Google App store at http://play.google.com/store

and type ILFB into the search box.  When the search returns the Illinois Farm Bureau app click on the install button and download it to your device as you would any other free app.

Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.