Illinois

Keeping the Family Farm and Rural Community Alive with an Innovative Mindset

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:24:11 GMT

Innovation doesn’t always look flashy in agriculture. Sometimes it’s simply a willingness to try something new if it makes the operation stronger for the next generation. For one Indiana cattle family, that mindset has been the key to keeping both the cattle operation and its rural community moving forward.

“My grandpa’s grandpa stepped off the boat the day Abraham Lincoln was killed,” says Andrew Bredeweg. “Our farm started as more of a self-sustaining farm with a little of everything until my dad turned it more into a business.”

Today, the Bredeweg family has its hands in the cow-calf sector, feeding cattle, farming and managing a seasonal sale barn. At the heart of all they do is ensuring the business remains generational while also supporting the rural community around them.

“Everybody in agriculture pretty much has goals to pass it on to the next generation. It’ll be multigenerational,” Bredeweg says.

The Bredewegs have been able to keep the operation in the family for generations because they’ve maintained a mindset of innovation. That willingness to adapt didn’t start with Andrew. It goes back several generations.

“My grandpa was big into Harvestore systems in the ’60s — he was one of the first guys around here to put that system in,” shares Bredeweg. “That allowed him to feed a lot more cattle in a lot shorter time, which freed him up to farm more or run more cattle.”

That same thinking continues today. The family was among the first in its area to feed cattle using a TMR mixer with drive-along bunks. More recently, they’ve adopted digital recordkeeping through Performance Beef to better track feed, performance and costs.

“Just knowing everything is there and everything is correct is worth its weight in gold,” says Bredeweg. “Our performance on the cattle really showed when we started using it because what we thought we were doing wasn’t actually what we were doing.”

Having accurate numbers has also improved decision-making. Instead of guessing at cost of gain or performance, Bredeweg now has real-time data to guide purchases and management decisions.

Innovation on the Bredeweg operation isn’t just about technology, though. It’s also about strengthening the broader agricultural community.

Bredeweg also manages the local White River Valley Cattlemen’s Association sale barn, a cooperative marketing facility started decades ago by local producers. The sale barn hosts a handful of sales each year and provides an important marketing outlet for cattle producers in the region.

For Bredeweg, involvement in multiple segments of the cattle industry reinforces something he appreciates about the business.

“There’s a little more of a team aspect in the cattle business,” he explains. “For us to prosper, somebody else doesn’t have to lose.”

That mindset extends beyond cattle markets and into investing in the next generation. Bredeweg has partnered with a local high school internship program that allows juniors and seniors to leave school early and gain real-world work experience with area businesses.

Students spend part of their day learning hands-on skills and exploring potential careers while still in high school. Bredeweg has hosted several students on the ranch and sees the program as a valuable tool for keeping young people connected to rural communities.

“You’re developing them on the school side and then they get plugged right back into the business side,” he says.

For Bredeweg, keeping family operations alive requires more than just maintaining a profitable business. It requires investing in people and community as well.

“I’d rather ask how we grow and keep these young people busy instead of how we contract,” he says.

Because at the end of the day, innovation in agriculture isn’t just about improving efficiency — it’s about ensuring there are still families, ranches and communities thriving for generations to come.

Listen to the full conversation on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast .

Beef Producers Be Aware: Dangerous Asian Longhorned Tick Continues Migrating West

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:21:51 GMT

The Asian Longhorned Tick (ALHT) poses a serious threat to cattle health. ALHTs carry Theileria, which is a protozoan parasite that infects red and white blood cells. It can lead to anemia and, in some cases, death.

ALHTs are native to eastern Asia, eastern China, Japan, the Russian Far East and Korea but were introduced to Australia, New Zealand and western Pacific Islands. In other countries, it can also be called a bush tick, cattle tick or scrub tick.

In the U.S., ALHT was first detected in New Jersey in 2017. Since then, it has spread to more than 20 states with recent confirmations in Illinois , Michigan and Iowa .

According to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ALHTs are known to carry pathogens, which can cause disease and may also cause distress to the host from their feeding in large numbers. For example, a dairy cow may have a 25% decrease in milk production after becoming a host.

A female can reproduce without a mate and lay up to 2,000 eggs at a time. This can cause great stress on a heavily infested animal and result in reduced growth and production. A severe infestation can kill the animal from excessive blood loss.

Asian longhorned tick life stages and relative actual size.

(Photos of unfed ticks by Centers for Disease Control. Photos of engorged ticks by Jim Occi, Rutgers, Center for Vector Biology.)

What does it look like?

Unfed ALHTs range from a light reddish-tan to a dark red with brown, dark markings. While the adult female grows to the size of a pea when full of blood, other stages of the tick are very small — about the size of a sesame seed.

Adult females are a grey-green with yellowish markings. Male ticks are rare.

APHIS reports it only takes a single tick to create a population in a new location.

The above photos are of a AHLT engorged (on the left) and an adult AHLT not engorged.

(New Jersey Department of Agriculture)

ALHTs need warm-blooded hosts to feed and survive. They have been found on various species of domestic animals — such as sheep, goats, dogs, cats, horses, cattle and chickens — and wildlife. The tick has also been found on people.

What are the health risks?

APHIS says ALHTs are not known to carry Lyme disease, but they can cause tickborne diseases affecting humans and animals such as:

Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Heartland virus
Powassan virus

APHIS says those diseases have not been confirmed outside of a laboratory setting in the U.S. In addition, U.S. ALHT populations can transmit U.S. Theileria orientalis Ikeda strain (Cattle theileriosis) in the laboratory.

In an Iowa State University release , Grant Dewell, Extension beef veterinarian and associate professor, says cattle affected by Theileriosis will show signs of lethargy, anemia and difficulty breathing. They may develop ventral edema, exercise intolerance, jaundice and abortions.

“Although signs of Theileriosis are similar to anaplasmosis, younger animals and calves often display more severe signs compared to mature cows and bulls,” he says. “Due to anemia from both tick infestation and Theileria, the risk of death can be elevated. If cattle producers suspect either Theileria or ALHT, have a veterinarian collect appropriate samples and submit them to a veterinary diagnostic lab.”

According to an Oklahoma State University press release , under laboratory conditions ALHT is a competent vector of numerous pathogens that can cause disease in humans, including Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), Heartland Virus and Powassan Virus.

In “ Clinical Infectious Diseases, ” Bobbi Pritt, MD, MSC, with the division of clinical microbiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., reported a human bite that occurred in New York in 2019. She says though the report of a human bite isn’t surprising, it proves the invasive longhorned tick continues to bite hosts in its newest location.

“This is extremely worrisome for several reasons,” she writes. “One reason is Asian longhorned ticks can carry several important human pathogens, including the potentially fatal severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus and Rickettsia japonica, which cases Japanese spotted fever. While these pathogens have yet to be found in the United States, there is a risk of their future introduction.”

Also, Pritt says several other human pathogens have been detected in the ticks, but it’s not clear if the ALHT species are able to transmit them to humans. They include Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Borrelia species. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.

She warns the organisms are present in states where ALHTs have been found and that it’s possible the tick — known to be an aggressive biter— might be able to transmit Heartland virus given its close relationship to SFTS virus.

How to Tackle Ticks

According to APHIS, various strategies effectively mitigate tick populations on hosts and in the environment.

Regular tick treatments should be effective against ALHTs. Consult your veterinarian or agriculture extension agent about which products to use.
Check your livestock for ticks regularly.
Safely remove ticks from people and pets as quickly as possible. If you think you’ve found an ALHT, seal it in a zip-top bag and give it to your veterinarian for identification.
Habitat modifications can help prevent ticks on feedlots and pastures. This may include mowing grass, removing trees, reducing shade by thinning trees, understory removal and placing mulch barriers.
Apply acaricide using label instructions to tick habitats, such as woodland edges and grassy patches, during times when ticks are most actively seeking hosts. Although it varies by year, ALHTs are generally active from March to November. Consult your state and local regulations for approved acaricides.

“Cattle producers should aggressively control external parasites this summer,” Dewell summarizes. “Insecticide ear tags alone are not enough to control ticks. Consider incorporating a back rubber or regularly applying a pour-on during the summer. Pyrethroid-based products are also available that include a tick control label. If an increase in tick infestations is observed, an avermectin pour-on may be the best intervention.”

Your Next Read: 1,500-lb. Carcasses the New Normal, Not the Exception

1,500-lb. Carcasses the New Normal, Not the Exception

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 17:01:26 GMT

Today the entire beef industry — from producers to processors — is economically incentivized to produce heavier animals. Ty Lawrence, West Texas A&M University animal science professor and director of the BCRC, predicts that carcass weights will continue to increase, potentially reaching 1,500 lb. in the near future.

Lawrence was a keynote speaker during the 2025 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium in Amarillo last week. He says the industry has already seen harvests of cattle approaching that weight, with some producers currently feeding cattle up to 2,300 lb.

“We can feed cattle today to much bigger weights and be more profitable than you’ve ever considered,” Lawrence says.

BIF attendee and Kansas beef producer Joe Epperly from Wamego, Kan., summarizes, “The most hard-hitting comment at BIF was Lawrence’s 1,500-lb. carcass prediction by the end of his career. The implications of that to genetic selection, cost of production and cow size are far ranging. It will be a challenge for producers in every segment to meet.”

More than 400 beef producers, breed association leaders and industry professionals participated in two and a half days of educational programming focused on beef industry profitability and sustainability.

Tuesday, June 10, the event kicked off with the Young Producer Symposium. Wednesday’s general session focused on “Beef Industry Profitability: Conflicting market signals and profit drivers in the beef value chain.” Thursday’s general session theme was “Sustainability: Improving our product through selection, applications of technology and data integration.”

Wednesday and Thursday afternoon technical breakout sessions focused on a range of beef-production and genetic-improvement topics.

Bradley Wolter, a symposium attendee from Aviston, Ill., says, “Larger carcasses will be a critical part of bridging the supply gap in the near term. Identifying genetic association with late-term mortality and morbidity requires further research and coordination on the part of breeding entities.”

He says the chasm remains between exponentially larger finished carcasses that optimize fixed packer costs verses a target of smaller cows for biological optimum on the ranch.

“More collaborative, holistic data analysis with integrated research is needed to avoid industry sub-optimization and ensure competitiveness on the world stage,” Wolter summarizes.

Scott Greiner, Virginia Tech professor and Extension animal scientist, agrees with Epperly and Walter saying the message that resonated with many in attendance was the continued emphasis on increasing carcass weights by the feedlot and packing sectors, and the impact it will have at the cow-calf sector as it relates to cow size and production costs.

“This trend is not new, but I think the way things were conveyed by several speakers in terms of the economics and market signals, sure seems like bigger is what will continue to be a primary emphasis,” Greiner says.

Ken Odde, 2025/26 BIF vice president from South Dakota, says: “Two of the real questions about feeding cattle this long [to 1500-lb carcass weight] is what happens to the carcass traits as you do that? What happens to feed efficiency?”

One of the sessions that stood out to Odde during the symposium was a presentation on a project at South Dakota State University in the Advancements in End Product Improvement breakout session — “Extended days on feed: Influences on growth performance, efficiency and carcass characteristics of steers and heifers of different proportions of Angus and Limousin genetics.”

Is the U.S. Behind?

“From conversations in the hallway, I learned that the U.S. beef industry is behind on methane research, and if we are going to compete in the global marketplace, we need to get a move on,” Epperly says. “Australian Angus will release a methane research EPD in 2025, and we have barely enough data in the U.S. to see differences. That Australian data includes a lot of American bulls, so we will have data whether some American breeders like it or not. The optics for some are unfavorable, but whatever we can do to keep the doors open for our product the better off we will be.”

Likewise, symposium speakers referenced the Brazilian beef industry and how it is poised for continued success and rapid growth given its bountiful resources, not the least of which is its people.

“You see it not only in its scaled adoption of AI, but through the numerous young geneticists who make up the audience,” Walter says. “The U.S. industry needs to continue to invest in its genetic improvement through both public and private partnerships to maintain a position of world leadership.”

Young Producer Focus

“The Young Producer Symposium opened with a message about ‘Standing on the shoulders of giants,’” says Elizabeth Dressler, a graduate student who attended the symposium. “This resonated with me as I thought about all the research and progress the beef industry has made over the years. I thought it was a great way to open the conference by paying respect to the work that has been done in the past, as we look into the future the rest of the conference.”

Wolter adds there’s an excitement among young people in the beef industry.

“These young leaders are creatively engaged with our consumers unlike the previous generation,” he says. “I believe that will only create more demand and opportunities for an industry despite some questions and uncertainties with how cattle interact with their environment.”

No, John Deere is Not Freezing Production or Stepping Away From its U.S. Factories

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:48:45 GMT

An online report last week claimed John Deere is shutting down ALL manufacturing in response to the ongoing tariff situation in the U.S.

But we looked into it, and we’re here to tell you: don’t take the bait — or, as the kids say, feed the trolls — because it’s simply not true.

An article authored by Kieran Schalkwyk and titled “John Deere Freezes U.S. Manufacturing in Unprecedented Shutdown” appeared on MSN.com and was aggregated by Google News feeds last week, claiming the manufacturer is “making a radical move that some might think is ‘un-American.’”

John Deere shared the following LinkedIn post Friday afternoon. You can also visit Deere.com for more information on the company’s U.S. manufacturing presence.

The MSN.com post has since been taken down and brings up an error page:

MSN.com screenshot

(MSN.com)

It’s somewhat bewildering timing for this particular misinformation ploy.

John Deere recently put out a blog post outlining its commitment to U.S. manufacturing. The statement says John Deere will invest $20 billion into its U.S. footprint over the next decade, which includes major expansion projects in Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Today, the company has 60 manufacturing facilities in more than 16 U.S. states and employs over 30,000 American workers.

What is true is over the past 18 months, the company has been forced to lay off some employees , and it strategically slowed manufacturing at some production facilities in Iowa in response to depressed farmer demand for new tractors and combines.

Of course, John Deere is not alone navigating a treacherous global farm economy. Machinery rivals AGCO and CNH also made the tough choice to layoff factory workers over the past 12 months. CNH even completely shutdown its overseas machinery imports during the first few days of the tariff policy rollout, although that pause was only temporary.

In February, we updated our popular “Who Makes What Where” feature showing where major farm equipment is manufactured around the world.

Our analysis of John Deere’s global factory network shows that of the 60 John Deere machines relevant to U.S. farmers, 50 of them (83%) are manufactured here in North America. Of all the major farm equipment manufacturers we polled, John Deere has the largest U.S.-based manufacturing footprint other than Canadian-based Buhler Industries, which is 100% North America based.

So, it feels safe to say we can put this rumor to bed once and for all: No, John Deere is not shutting down its factories. Myth Busted. Shutdown the rumor mill.

Your Next Read - All The Details: Inside John Deere’s New F8 and F9 Forage Harvesters

Hay Donated by Illinois Farmer Makes its Way to North Carolina

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 17:34:16 GMT

Through a generous donation from an Illinois farmer, trucks full of round bale alfalfa hay have been making a 700-mile trip to North Carolina to provide relief for farmers and ranchers affected by Hurricane Helene. Midwest Food Bank (MFB), founded in 2003 on the Kieser family farm in rural McLean County, Ill., is coordinating the transportation efforts.

CEO Eric Hodel says MFB has always been involved in disaster relief and typically provides food, water, supplies and family food boxes when the need arises. A hay donation wasn’t something he was expecting, but MFB got right to work making sure it could be put to good use.

“I was working on our family farm earlier this fall and received a call from a neighbor who had seen the loss people in the Southeast were experiencing and wanted to donate about 600 bales of hay to the people affected by the storm,” Hodel says.

MFB reached out to the North Carolina Farm Bureau and North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association to find out how best to put the donation to use.

“We quickly learned that this donation was going to be a huge blessing to those farmers and ranchers who have lost all of their hay and forage for the year,” Hodel says.

MFB had a donor and a place to take the hay; now, they needed to figure out the logistics.

“That’s a little bit of our operating mode — saying yes, then figuring it out from there,” Hodel says.

MFB currently distributes nearly $500 million worth of food to more than 2,400 non-profit organizations in 12 locations in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, New England, Haiti and East Africa, and has its own fleet of trucks. However, it doesn’t have flatbed trailers to haul hay. Through phone calls to area farmers and businesses, they were able to identify trailers and volunteers who were willing to deliver the hay.

“We’re hauling 17 bales at a time and should be right around halfway done at Thanksgiving,” Hodel says. “I just knew the first load was the key load to get there because we would learn a lot.”

Volunteers have been helping secure hay loads and make the 700-mile trip to North Carolina.

(Midwest Food Bank)

The combined efforts have been making a difference.

“It’s a ripple effect of everybody doing their part to help,” Hodel says. “From the person that donated the hay to some neighbors that are helping with loading of the hay and making sure that it gets strapped down correctly, and our local grain elevator allowing us to use its facility to park our trailers once we get them loaded, it’s been a group effort. We have also had donations for the fuel it takes to make these trips.”

Each truckload of hay costs approximately $1,500 in fuel. Donations for fuel costs can be made at midwestfoodbank.org/relief .

The WNC Livestock Exchange (WNCLE), located in Canton, N.C., has been at the center of receiving hay and other donations for those affected in western North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Stockyard manager Dan Messer has been working with MFB.

“Almost immediately after the hurricane, calls to help and loads of hay and supplies were coming in,” Messer says. “It was all unsolicited. The donations just started coming.”

WNCLE has been at the center for getting hay, feed, fencing and even human supplies out.

“This help has been huge because we lost probably six weeks of the fall grazing in places due to silt, landslides, flooding and downed trees,” Messer says. “A lot of times we can graze clear up to Thanksgiving or after on stockpiled grass, and having lost that the end of September, people are having to start feeding hay or sell out.”

A farmer in North Carolina receives a load of hay delivered by Midwest Food Bank.

(Midwest Food Bank)

Messer says as an auction yard, it’s important to keep people in the cattle business.

“We’re trying to get help to as many as we can,” he says. “Getting them feed, fencing supplies and hay to help them stay in business is our goal.”

Your next read: When Can Producers Start Grazing Wheat Pasture?

Invasive Asian Longhorned Tick Now in 20 States

Fri, 17 May 2024 20:21:08 GMT

Author: Emily Steele, media communications manager at the University of Illinois

The invasive Asian longhorned tick, which can pose a health risk for humans, animals, and livestock, has been found in Illinois for the first time. Residents of west-central Illinois are advised to watch out for and report sightings of this new pest.

The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, is an invasive pest of concern for livestock because severe infestations can impact livestock production. An Asian longhorned tick was found on April 12 in Morgan County during an Illinois Department of Public Health tick surveillance. Two more ticks were found on April 24, and after confirming the species with National Veterinary Services Laboratory entomologists, IDPH reported the sightings on May 6. Asian longhorned ticks were first confirmed in the U.S. in 2017, but it has likely been here longer and is found in 19 other states.

Teresa Steckler, Illinois Extension commercial agriculture specialist in cattle, says Asian longhorned ticks have been found in large numbers on livestock, sheep and cattle so far, resulting in severe distress and, in some cases, death.

“Spring is a busy time for farmers and ranchers as they put cattle out to pasture, but it’s important that producers take some time to look for tick infestations,” Steckler said. “People need to be more vigilant and take preventative measures to protect their livestock, pets, and themselves from tick bites.”

Asian longhorned ticks are light brown and very small, often smaller than a sesame seed. They are found in low-lying swampy areas, wooded areas, and tall grasses. A female tick can lay up to 2,000 eggs without a male, meaning one female can create a new population.

If you find a tick attached to an animal or a person, remove it immediately using tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull gently. Wash the affected area with soap and water.

Management Options

Steckler says Asian longhorned ticks appear to be susceptible to chemical products commonly used to treat other ticks on cattle. Ranchers should consult with their veterinarian to develop a plan for ectoparasite prevention. Mowing pastures and now allowing livestock in wooded areas where the tick has been found will also help reduce the number of attached ticks.

Report sightings of the tick to the Illinois Department of Agriculture by calling (217) 782-4944. Residents of Morgan County and the surrounding counties can also help monitor the spread and population size of Asian longhorned ticks and other species by collecting and submitting ticks by mail or to their local Illinois Extension office. Ticks should be stored in a sealed container with rubbing alcohol and labeled with the date and location of collection. Send ticks in sealable plastic bags without alcohol to Teresa Steckler, 354 State HWY 145 N, Simpson, IL 62985. If the tick was removed from pets or livestock, please note if the animals were treated with an ectoparasiticide drug and which one.

Connect with a local Extension office at go.illinois.edu/ExtensionOffice. For more information and help with identification and submitting ticks, download a factsheet at go.illinois.edu/ALTfactsheet. Learn more about ticks in Illinois at extension.illinois.edu/ticks.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Public Health, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are monitoring the situation in partnership with the USDA. IDPH, in collaboration with the Illinois Natural History Survey medical entomology program, tracks the location of several species of ticks through its Illinois Tick Surveillance Map.

Non-native invasive species are plants, animals, and insects that spread quickly, cause ecological or economic damage, and are hard to remove once established. Across the state, Illinois Extension staff and volunteers work with communities to identify potential invasions, remove invasive species, and restore natural areas. Explore more about invasive species at go.illinois.edu/invasive.

SOURCE: Teresa Steckler, University of Illinois Extension commercial agriculture specialist.

ABOUT ILLINOIS EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

Derecho Packs Punch of 100 MPH Winds, Flattens Cornfields and Crushes Grain Bins Across the Midwest

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 21:00:54 GMT

Hurricane-force winds swept through northern Missouri and Iowa and all the way east to Illinois and Indiana on Thursday. The derecho brought wind gusts up to 100 mph in places, flattening cornfields. The storm system also brought crucial rains. While it might not be enough to cure the drought, the rains could help rescue some of the drought-ravaged crops.

According to Accuweather, a derecho is a storm that brings a punch of at least 58 mph winds over the span of at least 400 miles. The storm on Thursday barreled across the Midwest, with some of hardest-hit states being Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. The storm then turned and went south, hitting Tennessee.

Yesterday, @NOAA's #GOESEast 🛰️ tracked a destructive #derecho as it raced across the Midwest, causing widespread damage across several states. This visible imagery shows the bubbling clouds, and the satellite's Geostationary Lightning Mapper allowed us to see the frequent… pic.twitter.com/SvYbnuf5em
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) June 30, 2023

Ken Ferrie , owner of Crop-Tech Consulting, was in the middle of the storm. He spoke to AgWeb’s Rhonda Brooks about potential damage, estimating the derecho crossed at least two-thirds of Illinois.

“It’s pretty widespread,” says Ferrie who lives in Heyworth, Ill., just south of Bloomington. “It hit between 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. yesterday.”

The storm also brought more than an inch of much-needed rain, which may have saved many of the Illinois corn and soybean crops. Ferrie says there is quite a bit of cleanup that will need to take place with down trees and other damage, and he’s still trying to assess the impact on the crops.

“I have not seen any corn snapped like the derecho in Iowa where crops were just snapped and flat, but there’s a lot of corn laying over,” says Ferrie.

(Farm Journal)

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the storm was widespread, impacting an area from the Central Great Plains and northern Missouri, all the way to the Tennessee River Valley.

“The derecho on June 29th was oddly reminiscent of the massive derecho that struck the Midwest on August 10, 2020,” he says. “Now the aerial extent was not quite as large as the August 2020 events and the winds were not quite as high. But nevertheless, we did see widespread 60 to 100 mph winds emerging early in the day on the 29th.”

Brad Rippey discusses the scope and possible scale of damage caused by the derecho this week.

Rippey says the timing of the storm could also be a key factor in determining how much damage it caused to crops.

“We’re not expecting to see the large scale impact that we saw compared to August 2020, partly because it’s earlier in the growing season crops are not as high and susceptible to damage,” says Rippey. “And also just the fact that winds weren’t quite as high and the areal extent wasn’t as great. Still, though, another blow for producers already reeling from drought now contending with the effects of a significant windstorm that blew through the area on June 29th.”

Earlier Planted Corn Hit the Hardest

Ferrie drove across parts of Illinois and into Iowa on Friday, and says he thinks the earlier planted corn is what will be impacted the most from the powerful storm this week.

“April-planted corn is pushing tassels and trying to pollinate, so unfortunately, it’ll get hit the hardest because it’s hard for tasseled corn to stand back up; it’ll just curve at the top,” says Ferrie. “And that down corn creates pollination problems. So, from a yield problem that’ll be the tough spot, and that’ll be the tougher stuff to harvest because it just won’t stand back up.”

First time in my life I’ve pulled up to my parents place and not seen the grain leg standing. The storm hit hard today, but it’s wild in that the corn didn’t get mangled any worse than it did. No one got hurt which is the main thing. pic.twitter.com/Kg0hVyKi5V
— Matthew Bennett (@chief321) June 29, 2023

He says the May-planted corn will still have time to stand back up and recover, but he also points out the later planted corn is seeing more impacts from the drought in Illinois. The corn that farmers planted later didn’t establish good roots as it has seen little to no rain since planting. That made the corn more vulnerable to wind damage.

“We have a lot of acres that are getting what I call restless corn syndrome and struggling to get crown roots made. And that stuff isn’t pollinating. It’s the later planted crop that’s probably some of the worst,” says Ferrie.

Storm damage in Illinois from today. Any damage to your farm? pic.twitter.com/RWOHDjPQ2U
— IL Corn (@ilcorn) June 29, 2023

While the wind may impact yields and create harvest issues for some of the crops, the water came at a crucial time, especially in Illinois.

“That inch of water, many farmers would probably take the wind in the corn to get the water, because it looked like we weren’t going to get any of it, and suddenly our forecast has rain for the next five out of six days,” says Ferrie. “So, it kind of broke that bubble that was holding us in the drought.”

(Farm Journal)

Soybeans weren’t spared from damage either, but Ferrie says the drink of water will also be a boost for those fields. He reports there are even soybean fields laid over from the derecho winds on Thursday.

Indiana also reported high winds, with gusts reaching 70 mph at Indianapolis International Airport. Indiana farm fields were dealt with derecho damage this week, too. Photos show corn blown over by the wind, with the later planted corn holding up better than what was planted earlier in the season this year.

Photo Courtesy: Joelle Orem, Russiaville, Indiana

Crop Comments: How do crops look in your area? Post a comment or photo in Crop Comments.

Illinois Packer Recalls Beef Jerky

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:40:36 GMT

State officials say Raber’s Packing Co. of Peoria, Ill., is recalling 21 pounds of its beef jerky because it was not inspected.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture says the product that has been recalled was sold in 25-ounce bags labeled “Grand Champion Raber’s Original Beef Jerky.” The package has the number “9'’ inside the Illinois mark of inspection and a code of “192.”

The beef jerky was produced July 2 and distributed for retail sale in Peoria.

The Agriculture Department’s meat and poultry inspector — during a routine inspection — determined the product was not produced correctly.

Statewide Beef Checkoff Referendum Passes by Wide Margin

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:07:22 GMT

The Illinois Beef Association (IBA) announced Tuesday that the recently held statewide referendum to restart the Illinois Beef Checkoff passed with an 88 percent majority vote. 1,057 ballots were cast with 934 for and 123 against. The vote totals were certified this week by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“We’re proud to participate in this process whereby cattle producers in Illinois are taking progressive steps to promote the beef industry in Illinois,” said Philip Nelson, acting director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“We are very pleased with the results of the referendum. Restarting our voluntary state checkoff has been a priority mission for the beef association over the last year and we’ve been encouraged at each step in the process by the support of cattle owners around the state and our VOTE YES coalition,” said IBA Executive Vice President Reid Blossom.

The referendum spanned 12 days from Feb. 16-27 with cattle owners across the state casting ballots by mail, in person at local FSA offices, and in person at the 2015 Illinois Beef Expo. Clear majorities for support were evident in each venue with mail in ballots showing a 68 percent yes vote, FSA office polling showing 73 percent in favor, and Illinois Beef Expo polling returning a 97 percent supportive vote.

“This is tremendous news for cattlemen in Illinois. We are very grateful for all the support this effort saw from cattlemen statewide. Now, the real work begins and that’s putting into effect programs that will benefit all beef producers in Illinois by promoting our product and our industry,” said Alan Adams, a cow-calf producer and cattle feeder from Sandwich, who serves as IBA president.

The Illinois Beef Checkoff was originally created by state statute in 1983, three years before the start of the national $1 beef checkoff. When the national program started, Illinois’ state checkoff was shelved and required a full petition and referendum process to be reinstated. The favorable results from February’s referendum are not unique for beef checkoff votes in Illinois; in 1988 cattlemen in the state voted 83 percent in favor to support the national beef checkoff program in a referendum that made that program permanent.

The Illinois Beef Checkoff is different from the national checkoff in three distinct ways: the state checkoff is voluntary, all money collected stays in Illinois, and the state checkoff has more flexibility; meaning money can be spent additionally on youth and producer profitability or specifically promoting Illinois-raised beef. The program will be administered by the 14 cattle producers serving on the IBA Board of Governors’ Checkoff Division. The assessment of 50 cents per head is collected each time an animal is sold in addition to the national checkoff and any producer can receive a refund of their state checkoff. Collections of the Illinois Beef Checkoff are set to begin July 1, 2015. For more information, contact the IBA at 217-787-4280.

Source: Illinois Beef Association

Illinois Cattle Feeders Meeting to be Held in Macomb on Mar. 5th

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:06:54 GMT

Illinois cattlemen and cattlewomen will have the opportunity to here from industry experts at the 2015 Illinois Cattle Feeders Meeting. The meeting will be held on March 5th at the 4-H Auditorium in Macomb, IL located across the road from the Extension office. The seminar will be start at 9:00am and conclude at 4:00pm. “This meeting is a must-attend for Illinois cattle producers. First-hand access to this kind of knowledge in the cattle industry is rare.” says Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Beef Extension Educator.

Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Feedlot Nutritionist will be on hand to discuss feeding elevated amounts of corn silage in finishing rations and the effect on profit. Galen Erickson and his research team are leaders in investigating feedlot nutrition and management topics. He will offer insight on feedstuffs, feeding, and nutritional management and feed technologies. Along with corn silage feeding he will be discussing use of beta agonists in feedlot cattle.

Tara Felix, University of Illinois, Feedlot Nutritionist will discuss receiving and transitioning rations for beef calves. This topic should be of great interest to cattlemen focused on profits. High calf prices make on arrival and early term management extremely important. Felix leads the U of I team in investigating feedlot nutrition and management areas.

Mike Wells, DVM, Zoetis will be discussing on-arrival health management and vaccine handling. Proper attention and focus on calves as they arrive in the feedyard has proven to be large determinant on profit. Wells will elaborate on health management and offer troubleshooting discussion of your questions.

Chip Nellinger, Blue Reef AgriMarketing will present a market update and outlook. Nellinger has over 20 years of experience in the futures industry and helping producer manage risk. Nellinger will help advise producers on how to handle added volatility in the cattle market and how to best manage risk. He will offer insight to what the markets hold and future opportunities for cattle feeders and cow/calf producers.

Cattle feeders Larry O’Hern and Al Lyman will share their cattle feeding experience during a panel discussion with Nic Anderson, Illinois Livestock and Development Group and Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension. The discussion will focus on do’s and dont’s of cattle feeding as well as the opportunities feeding cattle indoors presents.

Come join fellow cattlemen in Macomb, Ill. on March 5th to enjoy an opportunity to gain knowledge on money-making decision in today’s cattle industry. Pre-registration is suggested for the meeting to ensure adequate meal number, however there is no fee. Please RSVP to Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension, 37737 Perry Fishhook Road, Baylis, Ill. 62314 or email wmeteer2@illinois.edu

Source: University of Illinois Extension

3rd Annual Driftless Region Beef Conference Scheduled for January 22-23

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:05:04 GMT

Cooperative Extension in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin team up each year to offer the annual Driftless Region Beef Conference. The 2015 conference will be held on January 22 – 23, 2015 at the Grand River Convention Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

Some of the headline speakers include: Dr. Jude Capper from Bozeman Montana, Dr. Mark Hilton, Clinical Professor, Beef Production Medicine, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, and a number of the Extension Beef Specialists from the host Extension Services.

More information on the conference, including the complete agenda and registration information can be found at the conference website: Driftless Region Beef Conference Website

Source: University of Wisconsin Extension

Incorporating Genomics

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:58:04 GMT

Accuracy and reliability are becoming required tools of the trade for many in agriculture. On a diversified farm in central Illinois, T.J. Curtin has seen that reality in all areas of production – from growing corn and soybeans to raising registered Angus bulls.

Curtin likens the cattle industry’s use of DNA technology to other agricultural advancements, such as the use of seed varieties in row-crop operations.

“In Illinois, corn is king,” Curtin says. “Seed-corn companies today offer us much more information on each variety, and that improves accuracy. Buying a bull is similar to buying a bag of seed corn, and if I can offer higher accuracy using genomic technology, then I am willing to do that.”

The Curtin family has been raising Angus cattle near Blue Mound, Ill., for nearly 80 years. Now in its fourth generation, Curtin Land and Cattle is home to 200-plus head of registered Angus cattle, an expansive row-crop operation and a family trucking business. The Curtins sell about 40 registered bulls each year during the annual production sale.

“As farmers we take risks all the time, but when we can lessen that risk, that is of great value,” Curtin says. “Commercial producers put a lot of trust in us as breeders, and if I can offer them higher accuracy for what cattle are going to do, then I should do that.”

Curtin attended a sale three years ago where the breeder had DNA tested all the cattle in the sale offering. As he studied the information, he realized the value that additional data brought to buyers making decisions on what animals to purchase.

“I decided to bring that technology into our operation and test our sale offering that coming year,” Curtin says. “We’ve tested our cattle every year since.”

Curtin is part of a growing number of cattlemen who are contributing genomic information into the expected progeny differences (EPDs) produced by the American Angus Association. During fiscal year 2013, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) included high-density genomic results on more than 40,000 in the weekly National Cattle Evaluation, and that upward trend is holding true in 2014, as well.

DNA information incorporated into genomic-enhanced EPDs can be a powerful tool for cattlemen wanting to make more rapid herd improvement. In many cases, it’s similar to an added 10 to 12 progeny being reported on a given animal.

“When evaluating young, unproven cattle, genomic data can be a valuable tool,” says Tonya Amen, AGI genetic service director.

“Knowing more about potential breeding stock before they are brought to the farm or ranch, allows for more accurate selection and breeding decisions and the more likely we are to make favorable progress in the years ahead.”

Last spring, Curtin conducted a survey of his customers to determine whether or not they value genomic data when making a bull purchase. About 85 percent of respondents said yes, and Curtin says that is all the reassurance he needs to know the technology is worthwhile.

“This type of technology is significant because we need to feed a growing world, on less land,” Curtin says. “And we need to identify those superior cattle that can covert feed more efficiently and keep producing more beef with less cattle.”

To learn more about AGI genomic testing, visit www.ANGUS.org . AGI currently partners with two companies to provide cattlemen options for high-density genomic testing. The GeneSeek Angus GGP-HD, offered by the Neogen Corporation, and the Zoetis HD 50K.

Source: American Angus Association