Join climatologist Eric Snodgrass in a webinar as he takes an in depth look at the ways climate change will impact agriculture in Illinois and what it could look like on your farm in the future. Snodgrass will also highlight more pronounced changes that are happening across the country and why climate change policy continues to be a hot topic. The webinar will take place January 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the info can be found below. The webinar will be recorded. Webinar Details: Climate Outlook with Eric Snodgrass Thu, Jan 7, 2021 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (CST) Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/334019805
Following the House and Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, Illinois Corn Growers Association President Randy DeSutter, a farmer from Woodhull, made the following statement: “Because ICGA has advocated for upgraded locks and dams for so many years, it is with great pride that we celebrate the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. This bill contains a cost share change in the construction account from 50% general revenue/50% inland waterway trust fund, to 65% general revenue/35% inland waterway trust fund through 2031. What this accomplishes for Illinois farmers is an opportunity to move more projects without depleting the private funds in the inland waterway trust fund. “Illinois corn farmers are extremely grateful to the bi-partisan work of our entire Illinois congressional delegation in the pursuit of upgraded locks and dams on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.
Upon the expiration of the current Brazilian tariff rate quota (TRQ) yesterday and its replacement with a 20 percent tariff of all imports of U.S. ethanol, leadership of the Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Renewable Fuels Association issued the following statement: “Corn farmers rely on robust domestic and foreign ethanol markets to drive the corn demand that supports our families and our farms. The decision by the Brazilian government to raise taxes on U.S. ethanol makes our product less competitive in the world’s second largest ethanol market. ICGA will urge the incoming Administration to respond to Brazil’s action and ensure that U.S. ethanol is allowed the same access to the Brazilian market that Brazilian ethanol has in the U.S,” said Randy DeSutter, ICGA President from Woodhull, IL.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) have teamed up to research on-farm conservation practices and the financial implications of their adoption via the Precision Conservation Management (PCM) program. Initiated through funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – Regional Conservation Partnership Program, PCM combines precision technology and data management with farm business and financials to help farmers manage, adopt, and adapt conservation practices long-term and improve on-farm decision-making.
America's Watershed Initiative (AWI) has released its second Mississippi River Watershed Report Card, resulting in a grade of C- for the entire watershed, which covers more than 41 percent of the continental United States and 31 states. The Mississippi River Watershed Report Card brings together data from multiple sectors and basins, allowing an examination of the status and trends in the watershed. From this assessment, AWI’s goal is to build a shared vision for collaborative action. The health of the Mississippi River Watershed is measured across six goal areas – Water Quality and Ecosystems, Flood Control and Flood Risk Management, Recreation, Transportation, Economy, and Water Supply. The Report Card also grades the five major sub-basins – the Upper Mississippi River, Lower Mississippi River, the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, the Arkansas and Red Rivers, the Missouri River – and then calculates watershed-wide impacts. AWI last prepared a Mississippi River Watershed Report Card in 2015, resulting in a grade of D+
The Illinois Department of Ag (IDOA) Cover Crop Premium Discount Program gives farmers a $5/acre insurance premium discount on acres that are planted with a cover crop. Applications open December 15th and close January 15th. Space is limited and fills quickly so be sure to gather all needed documents and apply close to December 15th. The program is offered for acres of cover crops installed outside of state and federal program incentives. Farmers interested can sign up for acres that are planted to cover crops in the fall of 2020 and will be planted to an insurable crop in 2021. They should contact their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Cover crops can improve the resiliency of Illinois farms by improving the soil’s ability to absorb and hold water for crops. Additionally, they prevent erosion. More resilient soils have less yield variation from year to year.
By: Krista Lisser The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced a new anhydrous ammonia grower training platform available online January 1, 2021. Illinois farmers and any of their employees or family members who help transport or apply anhydrous ammonia are required by state regulation (8 IAC 215) to participate in the mandatory training approved by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Training must be completed by April 1, 2022. Once completed, growers receive a certificate valid for three years to provide upon request to their anhydrous ammonia retailer. In-person training sessions will begin when state mitigations for Covid-19 determine it is safe to gather in a group setting.
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2020 remains in play as debate continues in Congress during the lame duck session. The latest is WRDA 2020 may be attached to an omnibus or continuing resolution (CR) spending bill. An omnibus spending bill means many smaller ordinary bills are combined into a larger single bill that could be passed with only one vote, speeding up the legislation process. A continuing resolution spending bill is a type of appropriations legislation that sets aside money to specific federal government departments on an annual basis. The current continuing resolution is set to expire on December 11, so the clock is ticking for something to move. Acquiring funding to enable a new lock and dam construction project is a published 2020 priority for the Illinois Corn Growers Association.
