RFD Today

We meet farm broadcaster Kailey Foster from RFD Radio Network affiliate WRAM in Monmouth.  In memory of late Illinois FFA state officer Jennifer McCaw Zecher, we hear the story of her blue jacket being presented to a local chapter.  Also, updates from Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel and IFB Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill...

We highlight next month's Women in Agriculture Conference with keynote speaker Brooke Taylor from The Rural Gone Urban Foundation.   We learn about becoming a lineman with Kevin Place, who serves as Director of Training from Ameren Illinois. 

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello discusses 30-day suspension of poultry exhibition & sale events in response to avian influenza concerns.   Coverage of this week’s Illinois Pork Expo with National Pork Board member Neal Hull.   An Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation update.   David Whittaker from the Illinois State Police talks mock inspections at last week’s Midwest Tr...

Rita Frazer speaks with Precision Plantings Jason Webster to get his Top 10 ROI's from the last growing season.  We then get a weather report from Paul Otto, Freese Notis weather.

Coverage from the Midwest Truck & Trailer Show and the WIU Ag Mech Club Show.  We then meet the Actively Engaged Student of the month, Rachel Eckert from Henry Senachwine HS.  Wrap up with a preview of the market week with Joe Camp, Commstock Investments.

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow with "Seven with Kevin" University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson provides a monthly update.   Ted Prehn and Dave Duzan with the Illinois Beef Association from the NCBA Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas.   

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza discusses federal funding issues and how they impact Illinois.   Valent USA's Eric Ott talks pest pressures beyond weeds. 

We hear from Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Johnna Fulcher from Henry County.  We celebrate National Weatherperson's Day with DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick.  We highlight the 20th Anniversary of the Illinois High School Glory Days website with site creator Dave Nanninga.  

James Bierman, President of the WIU Ag Mech Club promotes the WIU Ag Mech Farm Expo.  Illinois Ag in the Classroom's Kevin Daugherty provides an update.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick talks freezing rain potential this week and snow next week.  

Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association talks E15, 45Z tax credit, and tariffs.  We hear from Megan Marshall from Edible Chicago, who was at last week’s Everything Local Conference. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week. 

Coverage from the Everything Local Conference in Springfield, including conversations with Jenna Spychal, chair of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, Scott Trimble from Famous Scott's Premium Popcorn, Jackie Sambursky from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Kristin Terry from the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. 

Coverage from the Everything Local Conference as we visit with Janie Maxwell from the Illinois Farmers Market Association and Harold Wilken with Janie's Mill.   Wrap up from the AFBF Convention with Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan and IFB Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow.   An update from the Illinois Pork Producers Association.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza talks Identity Theft Awareness Week.   Rachel Hettrick with the Illinois Department of Agriculture discusses Illinois Heritage Farm Programs. Monthly update from Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs.  

Coverage of the AFBF Convention in San Anotonio. Conversations with Sadie Asher and Michaela Greahouse. Celebrating more "We are th 96" recognition with Illinois Farm Bureau's Gracie Pierson. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford talks February outlook.   

Kraig McPeek with the US Fish and Wildlife Service discusses the decision to designate the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. He will speak at next month's Illinois Farm Bureau Government Affairs Leadership Conference. We visit with Marty Travis from Spence Farm in Fairbury and his involvement with Down at the Farms, a farmer to farmer marketing and deliver...

Highland High School FFA member Luke Schoen discusses his selection to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.   We chat with Alan Bailey, Midwest Solar Specialist for American Farmland Trust. We learn about the PPA Tour Challenger Series from Jeff Watson from the Professional Pickleball Association.  An update from Matt Rush with the Illinois Corn Growers Association.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse provides a lesson on executive orders. Darin Copeland at Prairie Farms Dairy has a product update.  Coverage of the Illinois Wheat Association's 30th annual meeting from FarmWeekNow's Rhiannon Branch. Valent USA's Vince Restucci discusses managing costs for 2025.

Brian Laird, Inpatient Pharmacy Manager at OSF HealthCare discusses best practices for storing prescription medications. He also provides information about compounded versions of weight loss drugs. Casey Bolin with FCAE provides an ag education update.  U-of-I Extension Beef Specialist Travis Meteer talks cold weather livestock care.

Coverage of the Quad Cities Farm Show, including conversations with Jake Anderson from the State Bank of Toulon, Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Director Jeff Kirwan, and Geneseo FFA Vice President Austin Pearce.  DTN ag meteorologist Teresa Wells says bitter cold conditions will give way to moderate temperatures but little snow. 

Coverage of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Annual Convention as we visit with IAAF President David Hake and Southern Zone Director Doug Telford.   We talk local government with Illinois Farm Bureau's Brenda Matherly and Ryan Tate.   Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

Illinois Farm Bureau in action as we visit with Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow and Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse. We also chat with outgoing Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Natalie Evans.  And a conversation with Pam Monetti as she serves her last day on the job as USDA Rural Development State Director.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo previews the Everything Local Conference in Springfield Jan. 29-31.   We highlight the Taylorville FFA Chapter's livestock judging team.   We meet BASF technical marketing manager Josh Putman.    

Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan discusses 45Z Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit, Farm Bill, trade, and ag labor. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel highlight Rules for the Road seminars.    Jake Dukett, Natural Gas Public Awareness Supervisor for Ameren Illinois talks natural gas safety.   Stephenson County Farm Bureau President...

We visit with Illinois FSA Director Scott Halpin one more time before he leaves office.  Monthly update from Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Manager Gracie Pierson.   We chat with Robin Sheehan from the Annie Oakley Shooters of Northern Illinois. The group is being recongized as a co-winner of the Illinois Conservation Foundation's Outdoor Volunteer Organization of the Year. Freese-Notis...

Don Schaefer previews next month's Midwest Truck & Trailer Show.   Illinois Farm Bureau Economic and Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely provides an update on the Corporate Transparency Act. We celebrate Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Enegaged Student of the Month for January, Max Biehl from Freeburg Community High School. Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.