RFD Today

Illinois State University’s Dr. Rebekka Darner, ISU’s Center for Mathematics, Science & Technology and Nicholas Heller, ISU Crop Sciences, discuss their work with cover crops and to promote a survey on farmers’ concerns, interests and use of cover crops. We get a Farm Week Crop Watcher report from Larry Hummel from Dixon. We talk May weather with DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick.

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Mark Gebhards provides updates on several issues including the Supreme Court's decision regarding California's Prop 12. Mid-West Truckers Association's Don Schaefer provides a legislative update from Springfield. Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello discusses a number of topics including the Farm...

Rita Frazer highlights Purina Animal Nutrition during a stop in Missouri. We speak with United Township High School student Cassie Bohnert as she promotes a Cheese Pull contest--an effort involving the IHSA, Midwest Dairy, and Undeniably Dairy. We also celebrate moms--including Monroe County dairy farmer Joann Hartman. Rita Frazer's daughter talks Mothers Day and Jim Taylor visits with his mom.

We meet IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Riley Nebel. We learn about the Illinois High School Rodeo Association from cowgirl Addi Wiersema. Montgomery County Farm Manager Katie Wilson provides her Manager-to-Manager segment with Bureau County Farm Bureau Manager Jill Frueh. We wrap up the show with a Pioneer Agronomy segemnt with Cody Pettit.

On Wednesday’s show we hear from Illinois Farm Bureau Assistant Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel. He discusses state and federal legislation impacting trucking and transportation. We highlight an Ag in the Classroom event in Mercer County called ACE Camp. We learn about a weekend event at the Lewis and Clark State Historic site. We celebrate an FFA Proficiency winner in...

We highlight IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Abigail Hoeft. Darin Copeland from Prairie Farms Dairy checks in to announce a new ice cream bar. Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager Raelynn Parmely provides an update on nutrient stewardship field days. Dan Hicks at Freese-Notis Weather talks spring weather.

Monday's show features an update from Ilinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Mark Gebhards. He discusses a piece of legislation involving farmer liability as it relates to chemical use. We get a Crop Watcher report from David Schaal in Fayette County. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Governmental Affairs Bill Bodine discusses wind and solar proj...

We celebrate the career of Chris Magnuson, who is retiring as Executive Director of News and Communication for Illinois Farm Bureau. We highlight Bishop Hill Civil War Days taking place this weekend. We meet Thad Tharp, who serves as District 14 Director for the Illinois Beef Checkoff Board.

Carl O'Connor details a multi-year Knox County cover crop project. RFD Radio's Rita Frazer has highlights of the first ever Illinois Bacon Day at the state capital. Matt Montgomery provides a Pioneer Agronomy segment from west central Illinois.

State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes provides an update on both native and invasive insects. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Commodities and Livestock Programs discusses the IVET program. Ag in the Classroom's Kevin Daugherty gives spring and summer updates for the program.

Bethany Huelskoetter, OSF HealthCare advanced practice registered nurse in Godfrey joins the program to discuss farm safety topics. We get a Crop Watcher report from Gary Steward in Stark County and talk weather with DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick.

Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities provides a number of updates on federal and state issues. It's scholarship announcement day for Jennifer Smith with the IAA Foundation. We chat with former farm broadcaster Josh Scramlin, now with the National Pork Producers Council. Joe Camp at Comstock Investments previews a new market week.

We celebrate the career of FarmWeekNow's Kay Shipman, who is retiring after a stellar career. We highlight the IHSA state tournament series in bass fishing with Kurt Gibson.

Grain and Feeed Association Executive Director Jeff Adkisson provides an update on a couple of issues. U-of-I Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks spring blooming bulbs. We celebrate National Library Week with Illinois Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton. A Pioneer agronomy segment wraps up the show.

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Commodities and Livestock Programs Tasha Bunting and University of Illinois Dr. James Lowe discuss mRNA misinformation. Randy Graham from Curtis Orchard in Champaign assesses frost damage. Illinois Corn Growers Association Farm Bill priorities with executive director Rodney Weinzierl. Southern Illinois field visit with Amanda Hartman, who farms with her d...

Tuesday's show features a Crop Watch report from Todd Easton from Coles County. We get an update on the ferttilizer market from Corey Rosenbusch from The Fertilizer Institute. We have another "We are the 96" segment with Matt Boucher from Livingston County. The final segment is with Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Dan Hicks.

Monday's show features a chat with Oregon Farm Bureau president Angela Bailey. We talk "Allies in Agriculture" with Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government and Political Engagement Ryan Whitehouse. National Weather Service Senior Service Hydrologist Matt Wilson provides a Mississippi River flooding update. Joe Camp at Comstock Investments previews a new market week.

We get an update from Bob Sinkler and Anshu Singh on Corn Belt Ports. 96-million tons of business have flowed through the system in the last year. USDA Rurual Development State Director Betsy Dirksen Londrigan details several Illinois projects that have received USDA funding. We meet farm broadcaster Joe Gill, who serves as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Joe is from KA...

Thursday's show features a regular visit from Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert. Among the items he discusses is the Illinois Agricultural Food Alliance's Ag Ignite effort. We get an update on the Illinois Soybean Association with Director of Governmental Affairs Andrew Larson. We finish the show chatting with Congressman Mike Bost. He discusses the Farm Bill and House Ag Committee.

JIm Taylor shares conversations from his travels to Washington DC included a featured conversation with Congresswoman Budzinski along with two reps from the U.S. Soybean Association. Rita Frazer talks with Midwest Trucker's Association Don Schaefer and celebrates 75 years of customer service and commitment to family and livestock with Martin Auction Service.

NAFB Executive Director Tom Brand talks about the purpose of Washington Watch and keeping AM Radio in the dash of vehicles. Farmweek Cropwatcher report from Jeff Guilander in Jersey County. Rita Frazer shares a Pioneer Agronomy segment with Agronomist Scott Eversgerd. And DeLoss Jahnke shares weather with DTN’s John Baranick.

Mark Gebhards Executive Director Governmental Affairs & Commodities for Illinois Farm Bureau on legislative & regulatory issues. Brenda Matherly, Director of Local Government, on disaster declarations and tax implications for those impacted by recent storms. Jim visits with Clint White, Director of Communications for the Sorghum Checkoff. He tells us his background and journey to his curre...

Jim Taylor talks with Tom Heinold, Chief of the Operations Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District. Rita Frazer visits with Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello and we wrap up with Paige Van Dyke, the reigning Illinois County Fair Queen.

We recap a Washington County Nutrient Stewardship Field Day with Illinois Farm Bureau’s Raelynn Parmely and Washington County Farm Bureau’s Matt Lilienkamp. We talk Farmall tractors with Rollie Moore of the Central Illinois IH Collectors. Katie Wilson’s Manager to Manager county farm bureau segment highlights Sydnee Shafer of Piatt County.

Kyle Brase of Madison County discusses wheat crop and planting conditions in his area of the state. Crawford County native Carley Travis describes storm damage in that part of the state. Illinois Farm Bureau Assistant Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Rodney Knittel talks road safety with spring planting underway. Ag in the Classroom’s Kevin Daugherty is highlighting Earth Day activiti...