Illinois Farmers Participate in Commodity Classic in 'The Big Easy'
Hello from New Orleans! ISA directors and staff are jazzed to talk about the latest happenings with Commodity Classic attendees this week. Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) unveiled its newest Voice for Soy grassroots efforts, including the Advocacy Champions program and the new text message action alert feature. Farmers also are talking about how ISA is boosting soybean production and profits with ILSoyAdvisor.com, Illinois's checkoff-funded soybean management website. If you're at Commodity Classic, there's one day left! Come visit ISA at booth 722 before 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Illinois Soybean Growers Expands Grassroots Advocacy
ISG's two new grassroots advocacy efforts for the Voice for Soy legislative action network include opt-in text message action alerts and the Voice for Soy Advocacy Champions program. Each time Voice for Soy issues an action alert, farmers can receive a message on their phones that goes directly to the action alert, allowing farmers to respond quickly wherever and whenever issues arise. Standard messaging rates may apply. Sign up now. The new Voice for Soy Advocacy Champions program empowers a group of champions to engage others in the advocacy process. Learn more here.
One More Opportunity to Attend Illinois Soybean Summit
ISA will hold its last 2016 Soybean Summit event in Rockford, Ill., at Giovanni's Convention Center, March 11. The free, one-day program features speakers from university research programs, crop consulting firms, agricultural media and more. Participants also may visit the exhibit area. Register here.
Past ISA Chairman and Wife Named 2016 Master Farmer Couple
Four Illinois farm couples recently were selected as 2016 Master Farmers byPrairie Farmer magazine, including Bill and Brenda Raben. Bill is an ISA director and past chairman from Ridgway, Ill. They will be honored for their exceptional agricultural production skills and community service at a ceremony in East Peoria, Ill., March 8. The Rabens farm 2,400 acres of corn and soybeans with Bill's brother, Jim. They've been active in St. Kateri Catholic Church and have three adult children. Master Farmer candidates are nominated by farmers, agribusiness leaders and Extension specialists from throughout Illinois. This is the first time Prairie Farmer has awarded its Master Farmer award to four farm couples.
Biodiesel Supports Animal Agriculture
A recent report from the University of Illinois says pork producers can feel optimistic about profits in 2016, thanks in part to lower feed costs. Soybean meal is a staple in hog diets, and meal prices are anticipated to be near their lowest costs since 2007. The biodiesel industry helps support animal agriculture by creating demand for soybean oil and, as a result, increasing the supply of soybean meal. More meal means lower prices for pork and other livestock farmers. The full outlook report is available here. Click here for more information about how biodiesel works for poultry and livestock farmers.
ASA Applauds Senate Ag Committee for GMO Labeling Legislation
The American Soybean Association (ASA) applauds the Senate Agriculture Committee for its passage earlier this week of legislation from Chairman Pat Roberts that would establish a national framework for labeling GMO food products. Now, attention turns to the full Senate, and ASA will begin its press on senators from both parties to support the legislation. For soybean farmers, the bill represents continued ability to use biotechnology within farming operations. It means growing more while using less, and it means meeting the needs of a demanding American marketplace and growing global population.
Illinois Farm Families Continues Let's Talk Campaign
Illinois Farm Families (IFF) has been focusing efforts on different agricultural topics since last fall. After covering key issues about antibiotics, hormones and local farms, IFF kicked off their first campaign of 2016 focusing on animal welfare. Consumer communications, website and social media content, and the release of the video 'Let's Talk Animal Welfare' will take this campaign through May. Following that will be summer campaign efforts that focus on GMOs and sustainability.
University of Illinois Seeks Farmer Input for Research Effort
A new multi-state research project funded by the North Central Soybean Research Program has been initiated to investigate the effects of weather, soils and management on soybean yields. The University of Illinois is looking for basic information on at least 500 Illinois soybean fields for each of the crop years 2014 through 2017. The data will go into a large database that will be used to look at how management affects yields in a given soil type and with a certain weather pattern. Producers will be asked to fill in information for up to four soybean fields on a simple form. The form requests about 20 pieces of information for each field, but no detailed records are required. Most farmers will be able to record information for a field in 5-10 minutes. Farmers who want to participate can fill out the forms posted athttp://bit.ly/1oN3RBB or contact Emerson Nafziger at ednaf@illinois.edu.
Upcoming ILSoyAdvisor Webinar: Sulfur's Role in Soybean Production
ISA will host another free webinar March 10. Wesley Haun, agronomist with H.J. Baker & Bro., will present information focusing on the importance of sulfur in soybean production. One continuing education unit (CEU) in nutrient management is available. Register here.
ILSoyAdvisor Webinar Recording Available
Lance Tarochione, technical agronomist with Monsanto, hosted a webinar Feb. 24 to provide information about Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybean varieties available. He cautions farmers not to use dicamba with them because it has not been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency yet. Click here.
Phosphorus Management Webinar Series Begins March 15
The Illinois soybean checkoff program, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association and Illinois Certified Crop Advisers are hosting a webinar series, 'Rethinking Phosphorus Management,' starting in mid-March. Each of three webinars will focus on findings in phosphorus research and provide attendees with the latest best management practices to manage phosphorus loss. Laura Christianson, Ph.D., will lead the first webinar, 'Rethinking Phosphorous Management: Don't be a Black-Eyed P: How to Reduce P Loss from Fields.' This will take place March 15 from noon to 1:00 p.m. Click here to register.
Tom Bruulsema, Ph.D., will host the second webinar, 'Rethinking Phosphorous Management: Sustainable Thinking 4R Phosphorous,' March 22 from noon to 1:00 p.m. Click here to register. Antonio Mallarino, Ph.D., will host the third webinar, 'Rethinking Phosphorous Management: Fertilizer Management Practices to Reduce the Loss of Dissolved and Sediment-Bound P from Iowa Fields,' March 29 from noon to 1:00 p.m. Click here to register. One CEU in nutrient management is available for each webinar.
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