RFD Illinois

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, details action expected on the 2026 Farm Bill rollout and a Bureau call to action. Dan Engel, Director of Supply and Merchandising of Crop Nutrients at Growmarks, talks about the challenges currently facing the fertility markets. Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on USDA annual outlook fo...

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports the ethanol industry says a handful of mid-sized oil refiners are awash in cash and appear to be putting profits over a deal to market E15 year-round. Katie Brown, President of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, talks about a new USDA Food Pyramid pork back to center of the plate and message to membership for the year ahead. USDA Deputy Secretar...

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson describes the events at this week's Government Affairs and Leadership Conference, as well as some of the legislative priorities for the bureau. DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick previews some potentially severe weather on the way this weekend. Retiring US Senator Dick Durbin speaks to Illinois Farm Bureau membership at the Government Affairs and Leader...

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports a failure to find an agreement for year round E15 sales ahead of a Sunday deadline. Bill Graff, State Executive Director of the Illinois Farm Service Agency, and Shelly Sweatman, Conservation Division Chief of the Illinois FSA, talk about CRP signup with host Rita Frazer. Illinois Feed and Grain Association President Spencer Janssen covers how the org...

Bill Graff, State Executive Director of the Illinois Farm Service Agency, and Shelly Sweatman. Conservation Division Chief of the Illinois FSA, talk about CRP signup with host Rita Frazer. RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on the continued efforts to renew NAFTA. Chris Yates, Meteorlogist from WMBD, previews a coming warm-up in Illinois weather. Meteorlogist Paul Otto has a look at yo...

Kevin Semlow, Department of Government Affairs and Commodities, discusses funding tangles on Capitol Hill. Dan Engel, Director of Supply and Merchandising of Crop Nutrients at Growmarks, talks about the challenges currently facing fertility markets. RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on a US Department of Agriculture and Department of Defense collaboration agreement to deter Chinese pu...

Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello discusses news from the EPA on Dicamba. Annie Hadden, Illinois Beef Association, discusses changes to the upcoming Illinois Beef Show. Curt Struhbar, Advance Trading, talks about what's happening in soybean markets. Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Longtime free-trader and Ag Senator Chuck Grassley is having “buyer’s remorse” on Congress giving up some of its tariff power to the president back in the 1960s and 70s, RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports. University of Illinois dairy researcher Dr. Phil Cardoso talks about hybrid rye research from last week's dairy summit. Scott Jensen, Financial Planning Consultant on Country Financi...

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye reports on the latest details in an upcoming renewal of the US-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement. Henry County Farmer Rock Katschnig details the decisions farmers are making this winter as they prepare for planting season. Mercer County Farmer Chad Bell also outlines the decision making process for 2026. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., United States Secretary of Health an...

Josh Bolen, Young Leader Conference participant from Ogle County, talks about what benefits there are at the annual conference. Western Illinois University Ag Mech Club President Owen Bull describes what it takes to host the club's annual expo. Michelle Hatfield, Midwest Foodbank, explains why the foodbank has a presence at the Midwest Truck and Trailer show. Tyler Pope, Clayton Pope Commodities,...

Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, talks about what his staff manages day-to-day for Farm Bureau members. Josh Lindville, Stone X Inputs Analyst, discusses the international outlook for fertilizer costs. Shannon Welch, President of the Illinois Beef Association, talks about getting back into livestock during his college days. Meteo...

RFD Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye says Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley believes a year-round E15 bill from the House will need to be attached to a Senate bill to survive. Henry County farmer Rock Katscgnig gives a Snowbird Report from Fort Meyers on freezing temperatures in Florida and what it means for produce. NCBA Meat Scientist Jessica Lancaster discusses work in consumer research through the...

RFD Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports year-round E15 legislation, sidelined last year, still has broad bipartisan support in Congress. Dr. Matt Montgomery, Agronomy Education Lead at Beck's Hybrids, talks about long-term considerations farmers should have in mind for the upcoming planting season. Rachel Brown, Farm Family Resource Initiative Mental Health Specialist, previews a talk on re...

"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...