RFD Illinois

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow, as discusses important issues for the year's congressional calendar and the importance of face-to-face work. Brian Burke, John Stewart and Associates, puts a Friday market day in the red into perspective. Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Illinois Farm Bureau president Philip Nelson talks about the importance and impact of the bureau's Everything Local Conference in Springfield. IFB Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow explains what's at stake as Washington works to pass appropriations bills. Sam Taylor, Rabo Bank Farm Input Analyst, discusses his Soy Summit presentation on tariffs, costs and avai...

Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye says President Donald Trump pledges support for year-round E15, as a deal falls apart in Congress. Assistant Director of Agriculture for Illinois Kristi Jones kicks off the Illinois Farm Bureau Everything Local Conference in Springfield. Todd Main, Illinois Soybean Association Director of Market Development, describes new uses for soybeans from the Soy Summit. Ma...

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports as a top ethanol state senator is accusing oil refiners of ‘moving the goal post’ after a deal was worked out last week on year-round E15. Kristi Jones, Illinois Assistant Director of Ag, talks about opening the Everything Local Conference and her recent trip to India with the National State Directors of Agriculture. Jonathan Coppess, University of Il...

Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on top House lawmaker efforts to push year-round E15 and additional farm aid. Josh Maschoff, president of Illinois Pork Producers, talks about the importance of trade with Mexico. Precision Planting's Bryce Baker explains a new product aiming to increase the performance of corn right from the time of planting. Nick Hausen, Meteorologist at Nick Hausen Wea...

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on the ongoing push for year round E15. Josh Maschhoff, President of the Illinois Pork Producers, talks about new incoming board members. Jim Rasor, former Chief Meteorologist at WSIL, talks about the details of an ongoing cold snap. Joe Camp, Commstock Investments, talks about weather impact on the markets. Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at the...

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, talks about budget bills and federal funding. Stephanie Porter, Illinois Soybean Association's Outreach Agronomist, discusses sulfur, how much to use and when to use it. Steve Bridge, WMAY affiliate reporter in Springfield, talks to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin about the possibility of progress on a F...

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye explains Reuters reports that China has met its commitment on buying U.S. soybeans, after the country shut out soybeans for four months of 2025. John Howell, chair of the Illinois Wheat Development Board, discusses his role from the Double Crop Forum. Ed Shimon, National Weather Service Lincoln, explains what extreme cold means for Illinois' forecast this wee...

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson joins the program ahead of the first meeting of the new board. Jim McCormick, AgMarket.net, outlines some of his concerns while taking a look at the markets following a long weekend. Matt Kaye, RFD Washington Correspondent, reports on positive outlooks for hogs and cattle in corp forecasts. Paul Otto takes a look at the forecast as bitter cold continues...

Matt Kaye, RFD Washington Correspondent, reports on potential disruptions to last year's US trade deal with the EU as European countries react to a Greenland Takeover Plan from President Donald Trump. Jason Webster, Precision Planting, outlines some agronomy decisions that matter for 2026, in a segment from the latest episode of RFD's Taking Stalk podcast. Andrew Margenot, Illinois Association of...

Montgomery County Drainage Commissioner Thomas Mulch explains the importance and function of local drainage districts from the Illinois Association of Drainage Districts meeting. Outgoing president David Hake from Washington County talks about the importance of county fairs from the annual meeting of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs. Also hear incoming IAAF president Gary Mielke from...

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello outlines his agenda for 2026, with farmer profitability and commodity prices top of mind. Justin Daugherty, Sales Manager for Crop Nutirents at Growmark, talks about impact from supply chain issues. Kris Ehler, Champaign County farmer, says it would take a lot to get to equilibrium as farmers eye drought maps. Meteorologist Paul Otto has a...

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director Government Affairs & Commodities at Illinois Farm Bureau, highlights the AFBF Annual Meeting from Anaheim, California. He talks policy and appropriations conversations from Washington. Rich Nelson, Chief Strategist at Allendale Inc., talks about the impact of yield growing WASDE reports and markets. Matt Kaye, Washington Correspondent for RFD, reports on contin...

Farmweek's Tammie Sloup wraps up the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention in Anaheim with Illinois Farm Bureau President Phillip Nelson. Meteorologist Paul Otto previews a 12-day stretch of freezing winter weather in Illinois. Brian Chastain, Marketwise Ag Services, discusses marketing a crop in current conditions. Washington correspondent Matt Kaye gets reaction to USDA reports fro...

Kade Hill, Livingston County Young Leader, talks about finishing third at the AFBF Discussion Meet. Daniel and Constance Herriot, Champaign County, talk about Young Leader participation at AFBF. Joe Camp, Commstock Investments, talks about a bearish report from the USDA on WASDE, and takes a look at where corn goes from here in 2026. Andrew Bagely, Bagely Farms Meat Market, talks about holiday bee...

Bill Graff, State Executive Director for the USDA FSA, updates farmers on the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program(rates, limitations, and eligibility) and Supplemental Disaster Relief Program. RFD Radio's Jim Taylor speaks with IFB President Phillip Nelson about his goals in a new administration from the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention. Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at this w...

IFB Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow covers early movement as Congress reconvenes in a new year. Tim Abel, Growmark Director of Customer Risk Management, talks about geopolitical impacts on fuel prices. Kathryn Seebruck, Agronomy/Crop Sciences Educator at the University of Illinois Extension, previews an upcoming eight event series, the Agronomy Summit. Meteo...

Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports as more than 70 biofuel and farm groups renewed their call on Congress to pass year-round nationwide E15 legislation. Levi Siebert talks about the founding and work of the Live Like Lincoln Foundation. Dr. Karla Gage, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, talks about cover crops to control weed growth in the latest Weeds with Karla segment. Scott Sims,...

Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports on a record setting October for ethanol use, according to Energy Department Data. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodities and Food Systems Tasha Bunting outlines changes on the Illinois Wheat Development Board, now under new leadership. Jim Mintert, Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture, talks about the results of a monthly Ag Economy Barometer. M...

Senate Ag Chair John Boozman says more farm aid is likely a necessity in 2026, but won't give a precise figure. Trevor Toland of Macomb talks about winter grazing for cattle, describing a winter that's been dry. Kevin Lighty, meteorologist at WCIA, says Illinois led the country in the number of tornadoes in 2025. Tom Dosdall, StoneX, explains a volatile market. Meteorlogist Paul Otto takes a look...

China's new beef tariff comes just as a new Chief Ag Negotiator settles into their job with a pledge to open that market to beef. Matt Kaye has details. Charles Krause, Chair of the Midwest Dairy Association, looks back at the year in dairy. Darin Newsom, Darin Newsom Analysis, takes a look at markets. Meteorologist Paul Otto takes a look at the week's weather.