RFD Today

Talking Illinois State Fair and the IDOA and Illinois Specialty Growers tent at the Illinois State Fair with Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo.  Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine discusses a legislative fix for Safe Carbon Capture and Storage Act.   We get an update from Don Schaefer with the Mid-West Tru...

Getting set for the Illinois State Fair as we chat with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello, Illinois Beef Association's Devin Bollman, and IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie.  

We talk annual statewide insect pest survey with State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes. We recognize Ethan and Katie Brown of Montgomery County, recipients of this year's Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Achievement Award. We get an update from Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems. 

We discuss a deer nuisance meeting in Schuyler County with Schuyler County Farm Bureau President Chris Vogler.   We talk about Lock and Dam funding with U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen.  We get an update with the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick details cooler weather this week.  

We hear about an Adopted Legislator Success Story between IIlinois State Representative Lilly and the Menard County Farm Bureau. Then we visit with Kevin Raber, Wabash County Cropwatcher and  preview of the new market week with Joe Camp, CommStock Investments.

Friday's show features Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow and his "Seven With Kevin" segment.  We are also on the ground at the Illinois Wheat Forum, Ogle County Fair, and Sweet Corn Appreciation Day in Savanna.  

Rita Frazer covers the Illinois Rural Health conference. We then get an update from U of I Extension's Ken Johnson and learn about the Western Illinois Throwndown.  Then learn about the Soil and Water Outcomes fund.

Illinois Farm Bureau Vice President Evan Hultine discusses the resolutions process as the Resolutions Committee met this week in Champaign. We hear from John Hoscheidt from RFD Radio Network affiliate WRMJ. John is retiring after 45 years on the air.  We finish the show learning about KWS Cereals and their cereal rye product.  

We talk with Lizzie Schafer of the Taylorville FFA Chapter, who is a National FFA finalist for American Star in Agriscience. We learn about Bayer's Take Care, Now initiative.  Michael Bernhard from the Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau details his "Leaders to Washington" experience.   Paul Otto from Freese-Notis Weather discusses this week's mini-heatwave.

We discuss a study highlighting corn's impact on the economy with Krista Swanson from the National Corn Growers Association. Tom Ritter provides a CropWatcher report from Macon County.  Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

We discuss trade with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth following her recent trip to Vietnam.  We hear our latest "Seven With Kevin" segment featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.   Darin Copeland with Prairie Farms Dairy wraps up National Ice Cream Month.  

Licensed professional counselor Rachel Brown discusses mental health topics. We highlight the McLean County 4-H Fair with Anna Ziegler, who serves as assistant manager at the McLean County Farm Bureau. We get to know five Illinois Farm Bureau interns. 

Jenny Sauer-Schmidgall, a board member at the Pike-Scott Farm Bureau, recaps her Illinois Farm Bureau Leaders to Washington experience. She also owns The Witty Farmer in Winchester. We highlight the American Farmland Trust ADM Regeneration Program.  We talk fungicide applications with Tyler Harp from Syngenta. 

We hear from Colleen Callahan. She details a health related issue and the care she received through a special program at OSF Healthcare called OnCall.   We highlight a U of I Extension forestry stewardship webinar series.   Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford looks at the remainder of the summer outlook. 

John Heiser, FCAE District 1 Program Advisor discusses ag teaching openings heading into the new school year.  An update on storm claims from COUNTRY Financial's Jesse Kohlbecker.  Jeff Guilander with a CropWatcher report from Jersey County. Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.  

Plenty of updates on the Illinois Farm Bureau front with Kevin Semlow, Mark Gebhards, and Ryan Whitehouse. Plus, we highlight the Rock Island County Fair with Keith Gorham.  

We discuss local government topics with Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government Ryan Tate.  An update from the Illinois Wheat Association.  Illinois Farm Families Ambassador Jon Griffel recaps his role at the Square Roots Festival in Chicago.  Eric Yoder talks county fair season from Rock Island County.  

Wednesday's show features a conversation with Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan.  We get an update from Jenna Spychal with Jonamac Orchard and the Illinois Specialty Growers Association.  Former state FFA officer Tyson Schulte joins the show as he performs at tonight's Marshall-Putnam County Fair in Henry.  

Coverage of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts annual meeting.  We get a CropWatcher update from Dave Mool in McLean County.  DTN ag meteorologist Teresa Wells recaps Monday night's storms and details cooler weather for remainder of week. 

Monday’s show features “Seven with Kevin”, a conversation with Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. We get an update from Don Schaefer with Springfield, IL based Mid-West Truckers Association. Mike Peterson tells us that the Mercer County Youth Livestock Auction set a record at last week’s Mercer County Fair. Joe Camp at Commstock Investment...

Team coverage of County Fair Season.  We also hear from Illinois Farm Bureau's Bill Bodine and a Manager to Manager segment featuring Winnebago Boone Manager Ann Marie Cain.

Illinois Department of Agriculture Jerry Costello makes his monthly visit to the show.   We hear from the Knox County Fair, which dates back to 1851.   We get an update from the Illinois Pork Producers Association.  

We discuss the Illinois Covered Farm Vehicle topic with Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel. We learn about the first female Illinois FFA state officer.  We also highlight the Original Redneck Fishin’ Tournament in Bath, Illinois and the DeKalb County Barn Tour.

We hear the latest with the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Class of 2025.  Remembering former Illinois Farm Bureau District Director Roger Kiddoo of Joy, who passed way last May.   Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto charts heavy rain in southeast Illinois due to Hurricane Beryl remnants.  

Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Raelynn Parmely discusses nutrient stewardship field days involving Clinton and Jo Daviess counties. Devin Bollman provides an Illinois Beef Association update.  We get a CropWatcher report from Ron Haase in Iroquois County.   Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.