Farm Radio Hits the Mark

Farm Radio Hits the Mark

RITA FRAZER | DIRECTOR OF NETWORK & AUDIO SERVICES | RFD RADIO NETWORK | ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU

With more than 50 years on-air, RFD Radio Network has been a companion for generations of farmers and ag professionals. As the largest ag network in Illinois, RFD Radio’s footprint reaches all farmers who plant the 21.6 million corn and soybean acres throughout the state. Working with radio stations to create a farmer-focused network has proven successful thanks to our dedicated, hardworking team at the RFD Radio Network where we produce more than three hours of original content every weekday and 65 minutes of fresh weekend programs for affiliates. The affiliate partners include 20 stations that carry 600-plus minutes of RFD Radio programming weekly.

With decades of broadcasting experience, farm broadcasters DeLoss Jahnke & Jim Taylor, join me in providing the information to keep farmers updated to make the day-to-day decisions required to stay competitive. Deeply ingrained in Illinois agriculture, the RFD Radio team knows the past three years have been challenging for Illinois farmers. Mitigating supply chain woes, managing costs, implementing new technologies, and beginning succession planning are a few of the issues RFD Radio is tracking.

In addition to our top caliber on-air team, as an Illinois Farm Bureau-owned news outlet, RFD Radio benefits from the content support of IFB staff who bring their agriculture subject matter expertise to radio programs. The breadth of talent contributing to RFD Radio extends to its online presence through the webpage, podcasts and social media. Furthermore, IFB leadership believes in radio as an essential way to reach members, keep farmers informed, and provide a comprehensive look at Illinois agriculture with balanced coverage.

Rural farm radio hits the mark on communicating with farmers where they live and listen. Research continues to show that farmers listen to ag radio for their ag information. The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) worked with Aimpoint to produce 2022 research and the most recent data showed that 73 percent of farmers listen to farm radio five or more days a week. The RFD Network, like other NAFB networks and stations across the country has valued daily relationships with the farming community.

For Illinois, RFD Radio partners with over 100 radio stations across the state to serve farmers and the ag community. The reach and listenership of RFD Radio are proven through the Ag Media Research Farmer Radio Listening Study Report. The numbers show that RFD Radio Network reaches 64 percent of Illinois farmers every day. This is thanks to an effective, reliable delivery system that supplies consistent and professional programs that keep the ag audience connected.

The RFD Radio team stays in close contact with Illinois Soybean Association staff and directors and shares ISA messages with farmers across the state through timely radio broadcasts. ISA stories are part of RFD programs, including our long-form radio segments each month and the team enjoys covering ISA field days and meetings throughout the year.