RFD Today

Paul Wappel with the Illinois Department of Transportation previews summer travel and summer construction season. Illinois Farm Bureau's Lauren Lurkins and Bureau County farmer Michael Ganschow discuss their appearance on the PBS Newshour special broadcast this week from the University of Illinois campus. Jock Hedblade, Executive Director at Unforgettable Forgottonia / The Macomb Area Convention a...

We chat with 101 year old Mercer County farmer Donnie Peterson. We discuss Illinois Soybean Association activities with Ron Kindred, District 9 Director & ISA Vice Chair & District 5 Director Mark Reed. Pioneer agronomoist Jason McVicker gives us an update along the I-80 corridor from the Quad Cities to Morris.

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Mark Gebhards provides an update on the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly. We usher in the county fair season with Lisa Meisenheimer from the Greene County Fair. Randy Graham previews the June 8th Summer Horticulture Day at Curtis Orchard. The show wraps up talking about the significance of Memorial Day...

University of Illinois Extension Beef Specialist Travis Meteer provides an update on cattle prices. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of State Legislation Kevin Semlow talks state budget with lawmakers returning to Springfield on Wednesday. We get a Crop Watcher update from Brent Clair in Adams County. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford discusses a dry weather pattern.

Illinois FFA’s Mindy Bunselmeyer previews the upcoming state convention in Springfield June 13-15. IFCA’s K.J. Johnson offers reminders about post-application spraying. Comstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.

We meet IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Jarvis Williams. We get an update from USDA Rural Development State Director Betsy Dirksen Londrigan. Mellisa McMillan and Todd Lowery with Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation discuss the 2025 class. SIU Med School's Charlyn Fargo talks getting the most of your food dollar during May Beef Month.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert discusses a number of topics, including work the board is doing in defining a farmer. Kris Reynolds of American Farmland Trust talks about opportunties for Illinois farmers. We get updates from Illinois Farm Bureau Youth and Collegiate Program Coordinator Lori Jackson and Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Program Coordinator Vanessa Wright. The show wrap...

Illinois Department of Agriculture's Nicole Moore highlights opening day of the Illinois Product Farmers Market on Thursday. Illinois Farm Bureau's Ryan Whitehouse discusses the organization's sponsorship of the Illinois Association of County Officials conference. We meet IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Libby Larkin. We get an update from Illinois Soybean Association Chairman Steve Pitstick.

Illinois State University’s Dr. Rebekka Darner, ISU’s Center for Mathematics, Science & Technology and Nicholas Heller, ISU Crop Sciences, discuss their work with cover crops and to promote a survey on farmers’ concerns, interests and use of cover crops. We get a Farm Week Crop Watcher report from Larry Hummel from Dixon. We talk May weather with DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick.

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Mark Gebhards provides updates on several issues including the Supreme Court's decision regarding California's Prop 12. Mid-West Truckers Association's Don Schaefer provides a legislative update from Springfield. Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello discusses a number of topics including the Farm...

Rita Frazer highlights Purina Animal Nutrition during a stop in Missouri. We speak with United Township High School student Cassie Bohnert as she promotes a Cheese Pull contest--an effort involving the IHSA, Midwest Dairy, and Undeniably Dairy. We also celebrate moms--including Monroe County dairy farmer Joann Hartman. Rita Frazer's daughter talks Mothers Day and Jim Taylor visits with his mom.

We meet IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Riley Nebel. We learn about the Illinois High School Rodeo Association from cowgirl Addi Wiersema. Montgomery County Farm Manager Katie Wilson provides her Manager-to-Manager segment with Bureau County Farm Bureau Manager Jill Frueh. We wrap up the show with a Pioneer Agronomy segemnt with Cody Pettit.

On Wednesday’s show we hear from Illinois Farm Bureau Assistant Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel. He discusses state and federal legislation impacting trucking and transportation. We highlight an Ag in the Classroom event in Mercer County called ACE Camp. We learn about a weekend event at the Lewis and Clark State Historic site. We celebrate an FFA Proficiency winner in...

We highlight IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Abigail Hoeft. Darin Copeland from Prairie Farms Dairy checks in to announce a new ice cream bar. Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Raelynn Parmely provides an update on nutrient stewardship field days. Dan Hicks at Freese-Notis Weather talks spring weather.

Monday's show features an update from Ilinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Mark Gebhards. He discusses a piece of legislation involving farmer liability as it relates to chemical use. We get a Crop Watcher report from David Schaal in Fayette County. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Governmental Affairs Bill Bodine discusses wind and solar proj...

We celebrate the career of Chris Magnuson, who is retiring as Executive Director of News and Communication for Illinois Farm Bureau. We highlight Bishop Hill Civil War Days taking place this weekend. We meet Thad Tharp, who serves as District 14 Director for the Illinois Beef Checkoff Board.

Carl O'Connor details a multi-year Knox County cover crop project. RFD Radio's Rita Frazer has highlights of the first ever Illinois Bacon Day at the state capital. Matt Montgomery provides a Pioneer Agronomy segment from west central Illinois.

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes provides an update on both native and invasive insects. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Commodities and Livestock Programs discusses the IVET program. Ag in the Classroom's Kevin Daugherty gives spring and summer updates for the program.

Bethany Huelskoetter, OSF HealthCare advanced practice registered nurse in Godfrey joins the program to discuss farm safety topics. We get a Crop Watcher report from Gary Steward in Stark County and talk weather with DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick.

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities provides a number of updates on federal and state issues. It's scholarship announcement day for Jennifer Smith with the IAA Foundation. We chat with former farm broadcaster Josh Scramlin, now with the National Pork Producers Council. Joe Camp at Comstock Investments previews a new market week.

We celebrate the career of FarmWeekNow's Kay Shipman, who is retiring after a stellar career. We highlight the IHSA state tournament series in bass fishing with Kurt Gibson.

Grain and Feeed Association Executive Director Jeff Adkisson provides an update on a couple of issues. U-of-I Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks spring blooming bulbs. We celebrate National Library Week with Illinois Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton. A Pioneer agronomy segment wraps up the show.

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Commodities and Livestock Programs Tasha Bunting and University of Illinois Dr. James Lowe discuss mRNA misinformation. Randy Graham from Curtis Orchard in Champaign assesses frost damage. Illinois Corn Growers Association Farm Bill priorities with executive director Rodney Weinzierl. Southern Illinois field visit with Amanda Hartman, who farms with her d...

Tuesday's show features a Crop Watch report from Todd Easton from Coles County. We get an update on the ferttilizer market from Corey Rosenbusch from The Fertilizer Institute. We have another "We are the 96" segment with Matt Boucher from Livingston County. The final segment is with Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Dan Hicks.

Monday's show features a chat with Oregon Farm Bureau president Angela Bailey. We talk "Allies in Agriculture" with Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government and Political Engagement Ryan Whitehouse. National Weather Service Senior Service Hydrologist Matt Wilson provides a Mississippi River flooding update. Joe Camp at Comstock Investments previews a new market week.