RFD Illinois

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow continues to analyze the recently finished spring legislative session. The Illinois Milk Producers' Association donates thousands of pounds of milk to the Feeding Illinois network of foodbanks. Dan Pannier, Propane Operations Manager at Growmark, discusses the impacts of "off the charts" exports, builds an...

USTR proposed a 25-percent tariff on a range of Brazilian imports, after an investigation found Brazil had discriminated against US ethanol and other goods and services. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Dr. Jim Lowe, University of Illinois, talks about the threat the Asian Longhorned Tick poses to cattle. Dr. Anna Forseth, Director of Animal Health for the National P...

Colin Woodall, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattleman's Beef Association, discuss the needed response to New World Screwworm and its proximity to the United States border from the Illinois Beef Assocation annual meeting. Arlan Suderman, Chief Commodities Economist at StoneX, joins the program to discuss a drop in December corn and other market movement. Michael Langemeier, Purdue's Cent...

Frank Doll, President of Prairie Farms Dairy, discusses crop conditions and planting. FarmWeek CropWatcher Larry Hummel has a look at the fields from Lee County. Mindy Bunselmeyer, Illinois Association FFA Executive Director, talks about the future of the organization's state convention. Dr. Ernie Goss, Creighton University, discusses recent findings of the Rural Main Street Index. Meteorologist P...

Chris Davis, Director of State Legislation at the Illinois Farm Bureau, reviews the end of the legislative session, including a failure to finalize the Family Farm Preservation Act. The USDA is working on plans to distribute millions of new base acres eligible for ARC and PLC payments under last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Eric...

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow following the final days of the spring legislative session in Springfield.  Chuck Spencer, Government Relations Executive Director, and Kennedy Ebner, Government and Regulatory Affairs, both from Growmark, join the program to discuss legislative efforts, particularly permanent E15. Meteorologist Paul Otto...

US Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer addressed a wide range of trade issues from tariffs to USMCA at a recent think tank forum. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Paul Munie, from Smithton in St. Clair County, talks about a "variable" planting season. Michaela Greathouse of Greathouse Grazing Acres Market discusses her small business and the impact on the surrounding com...

IFB Board Member Brian Corkill hosts Congressman Eric Sorensen for a farm visit to talk sustainability. Congressman Eric Sorensen also speaks about what he took away from the visit. Dr. Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois College of ACES professor, joins the program to discuss 2026 crop budgets. Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello talks about dust storms, their impact on farming, public safety and the agricultural community. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs discusses programs aimed at helping farmers and agriculture workers find a path to retirement. Rich Nelson, Chief Strategist at Allendale Inc., discusses how markets closed out ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. Ro...

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities at Illinois Farm Bureau, keeps a close eye on Springfield as the days count down to the end of the legislative session. Corey Rosenbusch, CEO and President of The Fertilizer Institute, talks about a volatile fertilizer market and possible alternatives for production and distribution as a response. Steve Bridge, RFD Radio Netowr...

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he and colleagues are actively working to pass House-approved year-round E15 and a farm bill, both otherwise facing a 60-vote threshold in the Senate. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Dairy farmers Ron & Julie Lawfer talk about their operation in Jo Daviess County. Jacob Kleinberg, COO of publications at Roach Ag Marketing,...

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson discusses the recent visit to China by the Trump White House and the potential for more agricultural product buys. Tracy Heuerman, Illinois Wheat Association President, talks about how a wet growing season is going so far on a Wheat Tour. Ryan Gentle, agronomist at Wyffels Hybrids, talks planting and raising a crop in a tough margin environment. Senior...

China isn't saying how much more of U.S. soybeans they will buy beyond last year's commitments, while President Trump seems to have flipped on Chinese purchases of U.S. farmland. RFD Radio Network Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Lauren Schuler details her role as Chief of Staff for the Illinois Farm Bureau President's office.  Josh St. Peters, Executive Vice President of Illinois Beef...

Solutions to the farm crisis have been painfully slow, something Senate Ag Chair John Boozman acknowledged at a recent fertilizer hearing. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Derek Martin, Logan County Farmer, talks about the dust issue in farm country and the success that they have had implementing conservation practices to keep the soil on the farm.   David Kohli, For...

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities at Illinois Farm Bureau, talks about the passage of a year-round E15 bill in the House and the bill's chances in the Senate. Elliott Hasselbring, Growmark Product Manager of Urea and UAN, joins the program to discuss a volatile fertilizer market and the impact on planting season. Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the foreca...

Year-round E15 passed in the House 218 to 203 with split votes on each side (90 Republicans, 113 Democrats vote no), but after years of efforts by Midwest lawmakers, the fate of the legislation is still uncertain in the Senate. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello on Illinois pasture conditions and the drought for western s...

Ag lawmakers now hope to separate year-round E15 legislation from a farm bill that could be in trouble in the Senate and pass it as a free-standing bill—a risky but possibly better gamble. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Josh St. Peters, Illinois Beef, talks about the push back from cattle producers this week on the proposed Trump Administration suspension of import...

Prospects for the Farm Bill are not looking up in the Senate, according to Iowa Ag Senator Chuck Grassley. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Jennifer Tirey, Executive Director at Illinois Pork Producers Association, talks about efforts to put pork back on the menu in Chicago public schools. Meteorlogist Dennis Michelson, WITY, makes the call on whether its summertime...

A long-time Senate ethanol supporter is urging the House Speaker to get beleaguered E15 legislation out of the House without changes. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Jolene Neuhauser, Illinois Farm Bureau Program Manager talks Illinois Wheat Association events, specifically the IWA Yield Contest & May Plot Tour. Donnell Rehagen, CEO of Clean Fuels Alliance, talk...

International events increasingly put U.S. agriculture in the crosshairs of foreign policy. RFD Radio Network's Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Illinois State Police offer safety advice for motorists that encounter a dust storm. Corey Rosenbusch, CEO and President of The Fertilizer Institute, talks about a volatile fertilizer market. Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

Farm equipment costs could ease some if a successful House farm bill amendment survives in a final law. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Dr. Jim Lowe, University of Illinois, talks about Pseudorabies making headlines last week in the pig business. Jesse Kohlbecker, Vice President of Claims and Client Services at Country Financial, talks about the claim process follow...

Corn and soybean planting is still ahead of schedule in much of the Midwest in early May, according to USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. FarmWeek Crop Watcher Ryan Frieders gives an update from DeKalb County. Jennifer Tirey, Illinois Pork Producers, promotes Bacon Day in Springfield. Dekalb Asgrow Technical Agronomist Lance Tarchione jo...

Frustration spilled onto the House floor last week as efforts to pass year-round E15 legislation failed again. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Trevor Maiers, farmer in Adams County, talks about the economics of having manure on the farm this year. Meteorologist Mark Henderson takes a look at a chilly start to May. Dr. Ashley Johnson, National Pork Producers Council...

Foreign adversaries are blocked from buying US farmland under an amendment added to the House-passed farm bill. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Justin Moore, Illinois Corn Growers New Uses & Bio Fuels Manager, talks about the ICG interest and investment into the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center in Edwardsville. Eric Snodgrass, Senior Atmospheric Scientist...