RFD Today

Brad Wilson, Wildlife Biologist with the USDA APHIS Wildlife Service discusses back vultures. Kevin Daugherty with Illinois Ag in the Classroom says coordinators around the state are getting ready to celebrate Earth Day. Devin Bollman provides an Illinois Beef Association update.  

Kelly Estes, State Pest Survey coordinator.  Dr. Jim Lowe, University of Illinois Professor, and Infectious Disease expert talks about the latest movement of bird flu. Illinois Grape Growers and Vinters Alliance

Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Environmental Policy Sanjay Sofat and IFB Director of State Legislation Chris Davis discuss the Wetlands and Small Streams Protection Act introduced in the Illinois General Assembly.   Sherrard FFA highlights a Livestock Fitting Clinic they are hosting.  Joe Camp with Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

We have coverage of Thursday's  Prairie Farmer Master Farmer event.  We talk mental health subjects with Licensed Professional Counselor Rachel Brown.  Acting USDA Rural Development State Director Molly Hammond provides an update on several programs.  

Thursday's guest list includes Dr. Matthew Wheeler with the University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences and Jeff Adkisson with the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois. Montgomery County Farm Bureau manager Katie Wilson provides her "Manager to Manager Segment" with Will County Farm Bureau manager Mark Schneidewind.

We get reaction to the first ever Illinois Sustainable Aviation Fuel Conference from IL Corn's Rachel Dame.  We meet the new chairman of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association Jenna Spychal from Jonamac Orchard.

Tuesday's guests include Dr. Steven Meyer with Ever Ag, National Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Amanda Stanko, Darin Copeland with Prairie Farms Dairy, and Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford.  

Dr. Andrew Margenot with the University of Illinois discusses a P and K Survey and a Centennial Soils Project.   KJ Johnson with the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association provides a few reminders heading toward spring planting season.  Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week. 

Friday's show feaures the Seven with Kevin" segment with Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow. We learn about the Growing Matters "Be Sure!" campaign from Roberta Simpson–Dolbeare, director at American Soybean Association, out of Nebo, Illinois. We highlight the Illinois Farm Bureau docuseries "Fields Apart: Rooted Together" with Raghela Scav...

Thursday's show features coverage of a Nutrient Stewardship Field Day in Montgomery County.  We also here from American Farmland Trust. And Jenna Severs provides an Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee update

Wednesday’s show features a conversation with Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan. We get an update on ag education from FCAE’s Casey Bolin.  We hear from Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government and Political Engagement Ryan Whitehouse, who is transitioning to Director of National Legislation.   

We chat with Zachary Benedict from MKM Architecture + Design about social hubs and impact on mental health.  We talk about a grant impacting the Stark County Ag in the Classroom program.  DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick tells us about an active weather pattern to finish up March.  

We hear from Jenny Batting of John Deere, who is chair of this year’s National Ag Day. We get an update from the Illinois Pork Producers Association with Lana Shovlin.  Monica Nyman with the St. Louis District Dairy Council talks National Nutrition Month. Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week. 

Friday's show features our "Seven with Kevin" segment with Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow.  We chat with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello. We catch up with Illinois Farm Bureau District 15 Board of Director Steve Koeller during Illinois Ag Legislative Day. We get an update from State Treasurer Michael Frerich...

Coverage of Illinois Ag Legislative Day, including conversations with Illinois FFA president Thaddeus Bergschneider; Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, and 4-H Teen Ambassador Alex Paul of Wayne County.  We also chat with SIU Med School registered dietician Charlyn Fargo.

We hear from Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine and IFB Assistant Director of Energy Noelle Neef.  Also on the program, IFB Associate Director of Transportation & Infrastructure Rodney Knittel. We finish the show with an update from the Illinois Beef Association. 

We talk 2024 Nutrient Stewardship Field Days with Raelynn Parmley, Illinois Farm Bureau Environmental Program Manager.   We get an Illinois Ag in the Classroom update from Kevin Daughery. We learn about the American Soybean Association's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) with Mike Doherty. Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto discusses March weather.   

We talk the upcoming county fair season with Bob Zellers from the Martinsville Ag Fair.  We catch up with the president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association Dave Rylander.  Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week. 

IFB President Brian Duncan recaps a recent trip to DC and IFB's Kevin Semlow provides an update on State and Federal issues. Learn about this weekend's Illinois Deer Classic and the Foreston FFA toy sale.

We get an update on Illinois State Fair preparations from State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. Rita Frazer then shares a conversation with American Soybean Association President Josh Gackle. Wrap up learning about a success in fighting hunger in the Quad Cities.

Wednesday’s show features an update from State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes. Syngenta Global Head of Strategy and Portfolio Management returns to David Hollinrake returns to Illinois for a local chapter FFA banquet. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Commodity Programs and Food Systems Tasha Bunting talks Dairy Margin Coverage and black vulture depredation permits.

We visit Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) Landowner of the Year Chuck Martin. We get an update from the Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation from Program Director Mellisa McMillan and class of 2025 member Josh Allen . DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick looks at March weather.

Mid-West Truckers Association’s Don Schaefer joins the show today to discuss legislative issues in Springfield, including stopping an effort to adopt California emissions standards in Illinois. We preview this month’s Women in Agriculture Conference with Bureau County Farm Buruea Manager Jill Frueh. Commstock Investments Joe Camp previews a new market week.

Licensed Professional Counselor Rachel Brown talks mental health awareness. We highlight this weekend's ROWVA FFA Toy Show. Whiteside County Farm Bureau President Don Temple talks farm succession planning.