A Conversation With Rod on Where We've Been, Where We're Going

After over 40 years in agriculture, Rod Weinzierl has seen firsthand how the decisions made today shape opportunities for farmers tomorrow. In the latest episode of IL Corn TV, Rod sat down with Lindsay Croke to explain what IL Corn is, why it exists, and the impact of the work farmers often don’t see behind the scenes.

Lindsay started with a question many farmers still have: What exactly is IL Corn?

The answer, he explained, comes down to two organizations working together with one goal — accomplishing things no individual farmer could do alone.

Whether it’s building international markets, improving transportation infrastructure, advancing conservation efforts, or creating tools that benefit farmers nationwide, many of agriculture’s biggest challenges require a collective voice and shared resources.

Rod highlighted examples of that work, including the role of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council in developing global markets, the partnerships needed to improve river infrastructure, and checkoff-funded research that helped create the Yield Trend Endorsement, a crop insurance tool now used by farmers across the country.

He also discussed Precision Conservation Management (PCM), a program launched by IL Corn to help farmers measure and improve nutrient management practices. What started in Illinois has now expanded into additional states, helping farmers make data-driven decisions while contributing to larger conservation goals.

Looking back on his career, Rod reflected on how much agriculture has changed. Corn yields that once averaged around 130 bushels per acre have grown to more than 200 bushels in Illinois, thanks to advances in genetics, technology, and farmer innovation.

After four decades in the industry, Rod’s message remains simple: progress happens through relationships, persistence, and farmers working together toward common goals.

The work of IL Corn is often behind the scenes, but the impact reaches farmers every day — from the markets they rely on to the tools and programs that help them succeed. Watch full episode below.