RFD Illinois

Illinois Farm Bureau's Kevin Semlow, executive director of Government Affairs and Commodities, returns from the nation's capital as the Ag Act of '26 moves past the Senate Ag Committee. Brian Wilson, MAGIE Custom Applicator of the Year, discusses his application experience. More on the Farm Bill and the party line voting tensions that came along with it from RFD Radio Network's Washington correspo...

After a long wait, a farm bill passes the Senate. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Deanna Frieders, known online as "This Farm Girl Cooks," talks food and prepping for harvest in this preview of the next episode of the Taking Stalk podcast. Dr. Gary Schnitkey, professor, soybean industry chair and agricultural policy at the University of Illinois College of Aces in C...

GOP Senator Mitch McConnell is expected to cast the winning Farm Bill vote in the Senate Ag committee after returning from an extended hospital stay following a fall and pneumonia. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Torey Colburn, Midwest Conservation Agronomist with American Farmland Trust, discusses the ADM regenerations program and the enrollment process. Clayton Ch...

The USDA's latest beef import forecast is less than expected after presidential orders on tariff free beef imports. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. FarmWeek CropWatcher Brent Clair, Adams County in Western Illinois, joins the program to discuss a slow roll into harvest and ideal growing conditions. Rachel Brown, mental health specialist at Illinois Farm SOS, suggest...

Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello discusses harvest safety and Illinois grain tours. Brendan Marshall, West Central FS, discusses the "pinch test" for corn. Lawrence Kane, Total Farm Marketing by Stewart Peterson, talks about the impact and planning for last week's market losses. Freese Notis Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the early-morning forecast.

Kevin Semlow, executive director of governmental affairs at the Illinois Farm Bureau, discusses the upcoming Leaders to Washington event and a possible look at the Farm Bill. Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello remembers the 9/11 tragedy and the importance of remembrance and national unity. Mark Miller, senior manager of phosphate and potash for Growmark, discusses a growth of availabi...

Dairy is again at the center of trade war escalation with Canada. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Katie Brown, Illinois Pork Producers Association President, discusses the start of harvest season and recaps the organization's activity at the state fair. Susan Stroud, No Bull Ag, joins the program to take a look at mid week markets. Scott Sims, Western Grain Marketin...

The fate of the farm bill ahead of the midterm elections rests with the expected return next week of Senator Mitch McConnell, out for months after a fall and mild pneumonia.  RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Thad Tharp discusses the outcome of the 26-27 Beef Quality Showcase. A preview of the final Breaking Down Biologicals with University of Illinois Extension assis...

USDA’s latest farm income projections for this year are mixed. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Ryan Tate, Illinois Farm Bureau associate director of local government, previews a new year of Rural Development Grant projects. Kevin Lighty, meteorologist at WCIA in Champaign, talks about wild swings of weather between dry heat and rain over the last few weeks. Freese Not...

Hear from 96-year old John White, Jr. in Kane County, as he reflects on his career, farming and his life in the farm bureau as a preview of this week's episode of the Taking Stalk podcast. Doug Cropp, Premier CoOp, discusses weather's impact on yields and a year he describes as "just slightly down." Freese Notis Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the early morning forecast.

USDA researchers are developing a new strain of New World Screwworm sterile male flies to boost eradication efforts. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Glen Smith talks data centers from the Farm Progress show in Boone, Iowa. Terry Johnston, Farm Rescue, spreads the word about his organization from the Farm Progress show. Tim A...

Amid industry criticism for allowing more imported beef into the US, President Trump and USDA are making a pre-election push to rebuild the cattle herd and boost processing competition. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Illinois Farm Bureau associate director of commodities and livestock programs Tasha Bunting discusses an IFB call to action asking Washington to recon...

The US House has passed and sent to the president stopgap funding to keep the lights on at USDA and other departments until December 11th. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau executive director of government affairs and commodities, shares details on a new call to action to voice concerns about beef import decisions. US Secretary of Ag...

The House votes today on a Senate-passed bill to keep USDA and other departments operating into the new fiscal year, RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Crop Watcher Melissa Williams in White County discusses starting harvest and a switch to white corn. Luke Davison discusses the history of the DuQuoin state fair. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey discusses heat indexes an...

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson discusses his concerns for the beef industry, in the wake of a Joslin plant closure and the announcement of lifted beef tariffs. Congress returns in September with unfinished Farm Bill business. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Luke Worrell, Worrell Land Services, takes a look at the ISPFMRA mid-year land values snapshot....

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities, discusses the Illinois Farm Bureau's engagement with livestock issues, including beef imports. The US takes a major step towards dealing with a lack of dometically produced fertilizer. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Previewing the Farm Progress Show with National Events Director Matt Jungmann....

Despite controversy over the president’s trade policy, USDA trade chief Luke Lindberg says the administration’s overseas efforts are paying off for agriculture. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. James McCormick, Randolph county farmer, chats from the field just ahead of harvest. Matthew Kruse, Commstock Investments, covers an up day for markets. Covering the latest nu...

Ag Senator Chuck Grassley says the US and Canada need to get back to the negotiating table for the good of US farmers, while parting with presidential efforts to import beef. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondend Matt Kaye reports. University of Illinois Beef Extension's Travis Meteer works to digest what import announcements mean for a struggling beef industry. Cory Ritter, Macon County fa...

US farm exports face possible retaliatory Canadian tariffs after talks between the two nations collapsed, triggering 50 percent US duties on many Canadian exports including farm goods. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Dennis Neuhaus, Washington County, discusses his role as president of Growmark. Mark Hobrock, The Andersons, discusses crop outlooks and takes a look at...

Deadline approaches for farmers to make changes to their new base acres under last year's tax bill. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Jon Griffel, Macoupin County grain and cattle producer, digests the news impacting beef throughout the state and the country. Jake Fidler, Fairview Livestock Auction, discusses the first Packer Day sale after a Tyson plant closes in Josli...

IFB's Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities, discusses work at town hall meetings and talking with legislators about key issues during a recess in DC. Marion Calmer, independent farm researcher and CEO of Calmer Corn Heads, discusses best practices from the Strip Till Conference. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye says a return to Congress by Mi...

Hayden Geisler, 2026 Illinois Champion Auctioneer, talks with RFD Radio's DeLoss Jahnke about his achievements at the State Fair. Auctioneers Tony Wisely, 2022 State Champion, and Bray Hanson, a young auctioneer working towards a championship. Sherman Newlin, Risk Management Commodities, part of Zaner Ag Hedge, takes a look at markets from the trail of the Pro Farmer Tour. CME Group's John Ricci t...

Page Durham, Madison County Farm Bureau Manager, talks field conditions where farmers prepare to roll with harvest the second week of September. Josh St. Peters, Executive Vice President of the Illinois Beef Association, talks about exhibitors at the State Fair. Ryker Beckmier, Christian County, talks about his experience showing sheep at the Illinois State Fair. Gale Engel, a member from Kinmundy...

Dale Hadden, livestock and grain farmer from Morgan County, talks about his connection to the fair system and the Illinois Farm Bureau. Dr. Matt Montgomery,  Becks Hybrid's Agronomy Education Lead talks about Red Crown Rot appearing in soybean fields around the state. Courtney Sandidge, Mason County CropWatcher, gives an update from West Central Illinois. Rhiannon Branch, FarmWeek Commodities Edit...

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello discusses fairground improvements and the closing of an Illinois Tyson plant from the State Fair. Scott Halpin, Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau Chief of Harness Racing, talks about reworking the racing schedule after inclement weather. Hear from winners of the State Fair Master Showmanship competition. Marty Kirbach, Jersey Count...