Franklin County Farm Bureau

By Larry Miller

I am writing this article on Wednesday and I am certainly hoping that the following information concerning the Farm Bill is out of date. At this time the House and Senate have both passed it and we are now waiting for the President to put his signature on it. The following came from the IFB:

Larry Miller, executive director Franklin County Farm Bureau

“We’re extremely pleased to see the Senate follow the House of Representatives’ example and pass a five-year farm bill. Illinois farmers are finally on a path to seeing some long-term certainty and stability in an increasingly risky and uncertain business.

“The bill now before the president strengthens the federal crop insurance program, which is the most important risk management tool available to farmers. Livestock producers also will benefit from the risk management provisions included in the bill, and we encourage the USDA to expedite implementation of those disaster assistance provisions. Finally, it maintains resources for cost-share, working land conservation programs that allow farmers to improve water quality, and helps farmers adapt to tightening regulations.

“This legislation is not only fiscally responsible, but helps Illinois farmers put a much needed five-year plan in place to help manage their risk.  We applaud Senators Durbin and Kirk for supporting Illinois farmers by voting ‘yes’ on this bill and urge President Obama to sign the legislation quickly so the USDA can begin implementing the bill as soon as possible.”

We had invited Doug Yoder, Director of Risk Management at Illinois Farm Bureau to come have breakfast with us and discuss the new and recurring issues with crop insurance. We had several people in attendance and Doug answered many questions. “With grain prices significantly lower than they’ve been in the past 5-6 years, it is vital that farmers maximize their crop insurance coverage,” Doug informed everyone.

One if the issues before farmers for spring will be whether to plant corn or soybeans. With the prices today it seems that soybeans may be a more lucrative crop. It costs approximately $540 with an average production level of 150 bushel per acre to plant an acre of corn but it cost $340 with an average production of 50 bushel per acre to plant an acre of soybeans – this does not take into consideration if the farmer has to pay out cash rent.

The February corn price is close to $4.50 per bushel with soybeans selling at $11.35. There are many more factors involved in this equation and this is just one of the many questions that farmers must ask themselves every year. Farming is definitely not for the weak at heart – with so much at risk they must also be very good businessmen not just be able to drive a tractor.

An ill-timed propane shortage has forced area businesses and residents to make tough decisions in the dead of winter. The price of propane jumped from $1.50 a gallon on average in the state in November to about $5 a gallon in December.  The shortage also forced Gov. Pat Quinn to declare a statewide propane emergency last week, easing driving regulations on trucks delivering propane from other states.

The first Illinois crop update of 2014 released Tuesday found the seemingly endless series of snowstorms this winter has helped recharge soil moisture just weeks from planting. As of this week, the state’s farmers rated 69 percent of topsoil as having adequate moisture compared with 40 percent at the end of October. Deeper subsoil moisture was rated 62 percent adequate this week.

We still have pecans in the office – $8.00 for chocolate covered and $9.00 for regular.

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