RFD Today

Updates from Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan and Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. We then hear from Scott Gaffner.  The Bond County farmer Scott Gaffner, the first Illinois farmer on three national boards representing Illinois soybeans. U.S. Soybean Export Council, World Initiative for Soy in Human Health & U.S. Poultry & Egg Council. The...

Illinois Farm Bureau Assistant Director of State Legislation Anna McKinley discusses deer nuisance  legislation filed in Springfield.   Photojournalist Vincent Johnson on his travels throughout the state and his new book “Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms In Illinois.”

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly provides a March update and says trapping cooperators are needed throughout the state. Commodity Classic coverage from RFD Radio's Rita Frazer.   University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks spring gardening.  

Jenna Spychal provides updates on the Illinois Specialty Growers Association and Jonamac Orchard in Malta.  Kevin Daugherty with Illinois Ag in the Classroom details some conferences coming up. DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick says heavy rain should impact parts of Illinois today and tonight.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation Ryan Whitehouse talks budget and Farm Bill.   We catch up Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition at the Commodity Classic. Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.   We talk food insecurity with Michael Hoffman from Midwest Food Bank.  An update on the 2025 county fair season with Ken Tyrrell from the Sandwich Fair.  Eric Snodgrass previews next month's Illinois Farm Bureau Advantage Conference. 

Christian Lovell from the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition previews next month's Grazing Conference in Springfield.  We highlight an "Adopt a County Board Member" program in Woodford County with Woodford County Young Leader Ali Gibbs.  Henry County farmer Rock Katschnig provides a "snowbird" report. 

Jazmin Albarran, Executive Director of Seed Your Future promotes Spring Green Career Week.   We talk farmland market with Andrew Schultz with Arrowhead Land Company. 

We preview the Illinois Farm Bureau Advantage Conference with keynote speaker Peter Zeihan. We meet Alexis Shreves, manager for the Massac County Farm Bureau and Pulaski-Alexander Farm Bureau.  We chat local government with Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government Ryan Tate.  Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford talks a wetter than normal spring planting outlook.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo recaps last month's Everything Local Conference.  Illinois Farm Bureau Economic & Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely with an update on the Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirement.  Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.  

"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow.  We visit with Cook County Farm Bureau member Kayla Biegel, who is participating in the Illinois Farm Bureau ALOT program.  Highlighting the Joliet Junior College Collegiate Farm Bureau with interviews from Kirstyn Lucht and Sean Morris.  

Celebrating National FFA Week with Illinois FFA State Secretary Owen Torrance.  We highlight the Village of Tampico celebrating its Sesquicentennial  this year and also its legacy to President Ronald Reagan with Sean Sandrock from the Reagan Community Center.   We learn about the Illinois Farm Bureau Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow program with Tim Marten from Montgomery County.  

Coverage of the Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference as we chat with IFB President Brian Duncan, IFB Director of Local Government Brenda Matherly, and Champaign County Farm Bureau Executive Director Kirk Builta.  Monthly visit with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.  

Catching up with National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider during National FFA Week. Illinois Farm Bureau Economic & Policy Analyst Raelynn Parmely discusses the latest USDA Farm Income Forecast.   DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick talks changing weather pattern.  

We celebrate National FFA Week with Mindy Bunselmeyer, Executive Director of the Illinois FFA Center.  KJ Johnson highlights Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association trainings.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a shortened market week.

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.