Ag Matters Summer 2018
• Ag heritage really matters to scores of tractor enthusiasts across Northern Illinois, who gathered June 23 for a 54-mile tractor trek through Bureau and Lee counties — Page 2
A publication of
Summer 2018
| AG MATTERS
2
AGRICULTURE HERITAGE
Antique tractor trek grows to 75 participants Annual event raises funds for Agriculture in the Classroom
Glenn Harms of Morris drives his 1960s-era MinneapolisMoline tractor out of the LaMoille Lions Club’s parking lot at the start of last Saturday’s tractor trek sponsored by the Bureau County Farm Bureau Foundation.
BY JIM DUNN jdunn@bcrnews.com LAMOILLE – Take 75 antique tractors of all makes and models, 75 tractor enthusiasts, a beautiful first Saturday of summer, and a 54-mile route through the countryside, and what do you have? The seventh annual tractor trek sponsored by the Bureau County Farm Bureau Foundation, that’s what. The event, which started and ended last Saturday at the LaMoille Lions Club’s parking lot, is a fundraiser to support the Ag in the Classroom program. It’s also a fun time for people who have a passion for the tractors that their dads and grandpas might have driven many years ago.
BCR photo/ Jim Dunn
See TRACTOR, Page 3
Serving Today’s Farmers
for Over 56 Years!
FARMERS – LANDOWNERS If it’s on your farm …We Insure It!
REAL ESTATE • INSURANCE AUCTION SERVICES• FARMS HOMES • CROP INSURANCE
WE DELIVER: • FUELS • PROPANE • MOTOR OILS
Robert K. Johnson • Kyle Johnson • Myrene Carper
Manlius Oil Co. Inc
135 S. Main Street Sheffield, IL 61361
SM-PR1550920
Manlius, IL Hwy. 40 (815) 445-3122
Johnson Agency
j.agency@mchsi.com 815-454-2840 or 800-454-2716 SM-PR1550914
• TRACTOR Continued from Page 2
3
Our Products & Services
• Fertilizers - Dry, Liquid, Starter & Micronutrients • Crop Protection Products - Name Brand & Generics • Application - Ground & Aerial • Soil Testing • Competitive Pricing & Top Notch Customer Service • 360 Yield Center Dealer
C E N T E R™
See TREK, Page 5
Peterson Bros.
Our Perspective
As farmers and landowners ourselves, we seek out opportunities for farming operations. We want to see your farm succeed, and your commitment to it sustained.
Our Promise
James Peterson
We think about your bottom line first. All sales and recommendations are based on what makes your farming operation profitable.
We are farmers too. Get a shared perspective. Grow your crop and your value per acre with agricultural products and farming services in one stop.
SEED REPRESENTATIVE
13344 US Hwy 6
Geneseo, IL 61243 PHONE: 800-369-7833 www.wyffels.com
Gripp Custom Farming Corp & Gripp Farm Nutrients, LLC
400 South West St
Wyanet, IL 61379 CELL: 815-878-1269 jamespete64@gmail.com
Family Owned & Operated SHEFFIELD, ILLINOIS
www.grippfarms.com SM-PR1516419
AG MATTERS| Summer 2018
And for Jill Frueh, manager of the Bureau County Farm Bureau, it’s simply “a great event.” As tractors embarked on their journey last Saturday, Frueh said: “This is my favorite Foundation event of the year. Everybody enjoys the tractors, enjoys seeing friends and spending the day together with our tractors.” Dave Doty of Dover Township, who set up the route that wended its way through the sunny countryside, said he has been involved in the tractor trek for about 16 years. “We started doing it for the Beef and Ag Days, and then Jill asked us to do it for the Ag in the Classroom program for the youth of Bureau County,” Doty said. “We’ve got about a 54-mile ride planned today through northeast Bureau County and into Lee County.” Tractor drivers drove to their lunchtime destination, the Terry Zinke farm north of Sublette, for a bite to eat and also to see Zinke’s collection of Case tractors. But it was the journey, not just the destination, that participants appreciated. “It’s all rural roads, just a nice,
leisurely ride. We try to average about 10 mile an hour. Usually we can maintain that real easily,” Doty said. With tractor enthusiasts from near and far (including places such as Lanark, Freeport and Watseka), “This is one of our biggest rides in quite a number of years,” Doty said. Tractor rides give collectors and restorers a chance to get out and enjoy driving their antique machines. “People like to show their antique tractors, like to run them, versus going to an antique tractor show where you just sit there and run through a parade once a day,” Doty said. “Why, this way you get to go out and drive them and hear ’em run and let ’em work a little bit ... if you’ve got a steep hill or something like that, or someone breaks down and you get to pull ’em a little bit.” Doty said the tractor collectors are “a great group of people.” As far as Saturday’s ride went, Doty said, it was nothing new. “Again, it’s pretty simple — follow the leader, and we just enjoy doing it,” he said. Rolling through the countryside at a slow pace can be a revelation, Doty said.
Summer 2018
| AG MATTERS
4
BCR photo/Jim Dunn
Participants in last Saturday’s tractor trek listen as Jill Frueh, manager of the Bureau County Farm Bureau, gives final instructions prior to the start of the 54-mile journey through the countryside on antique tractors.
Helping you get there. Land • Equipment • Crop Inputs
Peoples National Bank of Kewanee supports your continued success. Our Lending Specialists can assist you in getting what you need for a successful season. Manlius Banking Center Sheffield Banking Center 109 W Maple St. 238 W Railroad St. Manlius, IL 61338 Sheffield, IL 61361 815-445-2622 815-454-2444 We’re always open at www.pnb-kewanee.com
SM-PR1550927
Peoples National Bank of Kewanee
• TREK Continued from Page 3
Farm Management Consulting Real Estate Brokerage Farmland Auctions
Schoff
Farm Service, Inc. Walnut, Illinois
Serving your modern day transportation needs, with old fashioned service!
Call me on how I can assist with your agricultural needs
Timothy A. Harris, AFM Managing Broker, IL Lic. Auctioneer #441.001976, Princeton, IL
815-875-7418 timothy.a.harris@pgim.com
www.capitalag.com LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKERS
SM-PR1550938
SM-PR1550827
5
AG MATTERS| Summer 2018
“It’s amazing what you see at 10 miles an hour that you don’t see at 55. We get to see a few things that the average person doesn’t see. It’s a good way for the farmers that are along to look at the crops and get a good view of them from the tractor seat rather than from the pickup truck,” he said. The people who are along for the ride make it a memorable event, too. “Good camaraderie,” Doty said. “There’s some wonderful people we’ve met, some great people along the way, and a lot of ’em keep coming back, and bringing friends with them, and that’s how we’ve grown.” Tractors seen on the ride included Farmalls, John Deeres, Internationals, Minneapolis Molines and a Ford. “We’ve got a pretty good cross-section of vintage tractors from the ’40s to probably the ’70s,” Doty said. A lot of the drivers were men, but Kristie Phillips of LaMoille was also there on a 1963 John Deere 3010, following her father, Joe Phillips, on the ride. It’s “a daddy-daughter thing,” Phillips said, smiling. She said she grew up on tractors and said of the tractor ride, “It’s a good time.” Phillips brought her dog, Brady, along, who occupied a cage attached
to the back of the John Deere. Frueh said the tractor drivers pay a $50 entry fee to the Farm Bureau Foundation to participate, and that money supports the Bureau County Farm Bureau’s educational efforts. The Foundation does the book work, manages registrations, and solicits sponsors for the lunch. Frueh explained: “The Far m Bureau Foundation is the non-profit that we have along with the Farm Bureau. The Foundation supports scholarships and Ag in the Classroom efforts throughout the county.” With 80 tractors registered, and 75 drivers showing up for the event, “That’s probably almost double what we’ve had in the last couple of years,” Frueh said. “We do have the LaMoille Police Department, the Bureau County Sheriff ’s Department and the Lee County Sheriff ’s Department help us cross the major roads that we are on,” she said. There were also tractor drive committee members on the front and back to flag people through to make sure everyone got through the intersections safely, Frueh said. As the last of the tractors drove out of the LaMoille Lions Club’s parking lot, Frueh’s job wasn’t finished. “We’re following the route,” she said. “We’re kind of the lag driver so if anybody breaks down, we’ll make sure that we stop and give them a ride and call for help.”
Your Locally Owned Petroleum Retailer WE OFFER: Premium Diesel • Gasoline • Aviation Fuel Propane • Chevron Lubricants Tanks, Pumps, Service In Cambridge: Mark Seabloom 800-808-1812 In Manlius: Scott Smith 800-624-5593 Mike Dykstra Steven Michlig
Call us to discuss what we can do for you!
Princeton Office (815) 872-0067 Agricultural Lending | Insurance | Home Loans
Michlig Energy – Delivering the Spirit of Service to Our Communities
Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Provider. ©2017
SM-PR1550921
“SERVING ALL YOUR PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE NEEDS”
Your Partner for progress: SEED & AGRONOMY:
Ashton, Buda, Henry, LaMoille, Princeton, Toulon, Varna, Walnut, Walton
ENERGY:
Buda, Princeton, Toulon, Varna, Walton
STRUCTURES & EQUIPMENT: Princeton
TECHNOLOGY: Princeton
TRUCKING & ON FARM PICKUP: Buda
815-875-2808
22069 US Hwy 34 • Princeton, IL 61356 SERVING BUREAU, LEE, MARSHALL, PUTNAM, STARK COUNTIES SM-PR1546967
SM-PR1550833
Summer 2018
| AG MATTERS
6
7
AG MATTERS| Summer 2018
BCR photos/Jim Dunn
Antique tractors depart the parking lot of the LaMoille Lions Club last Saturday on a 54-mile tractor trek through northeastern Bureau County into Lee County and back again. The fundraiser for Ag in the Classroom was sponsored by the Bureau County Farm Bureau Foundation.
FOR AGRIBUSINESS At First State Bank, we take pride in serving farmers. Whether your needs are business or personal, we’ll share with you the best ways to bank, borrow and manage your money. Advantages for Farmers Long-term fixed rate loans through Farmer Mac In-depth knowledge and experience in your industry Customized financing solutions that best fit your operations
Craig Ayers Senior Vice President, Ag Mendota • NMLS#477897
Brad Piller Loan Officer Mendota • NMLS#477895
Jeff Townsend Vice President Ag Lending Princeton
Brent Ohlinger Community President Rochelle • NMLS#454385
800.362.9623 • firststatebank.biz MEMBER FDIC
Scott Schlesinger Loan Officer Shabbona • NMLS#1041542
Alan Brizgis Community President McNabb • NMLS#477887
Thomas Walsh Community President Ottawa • NMLS#477888
8
“Protecting Your Investment In Farmland” SM
| AG MATTERS
We Offer All Types of Buildings For Agricultural and Equine
Rick Andersen
Summer 2018
815.626.7378
Douglas D. Ray, AFM
Accredited Farm Manager/ManagingReal Estate Broker
email: andersenstatewidebuildings@comcast.net
SM-PR1550824
815-872-FARM (3276) SM-PR1546968
www.andersenbuildings.com
P.O. Box 39 • 226 Prairie Ln. W. • Princeton, IL 61356 www.rayfarm1.com • Email: rayfarm1@comcast.net
Princeton Redi-Mix
Over 40 Years of Service
Producers of Quality Concrete • Farm Drainage • Waterways
• Structures • Land Clearing
• Pond Excavating • Boring
29408 3450 East Street LaMoille, IL SM-PR1550509
Call Us At: 815-910-5479
Commending Local Farmers For All Your Hard Work. Let Us Help You With Any Of Your Concrete Needs. Bureau County’s Most “Concrete” Business
533 E. Railroad Ave • (815) 875-3359 Keith Cain - Mgr. • prmcrete@ivnet.com
Right Product. Right Acre. Right People.
MJ Seed Agency Independent Sales Rep Pioneer Brand Products Michael Michlig (815) 878-4430 Justin Peterson (815) 878-3496
Pioneer brand products, service, Pioneer Premium Seed Treatment and PROBulk® System
8927 1925 NORTH AVE. SHEFFIELD, IL
LOOK TO US FOR ALL YOUR AGRICULTURAL LENDING NEEDS
Member FDIC
110 N. Main Ave. • Ladd, IL 126 E. High St. • Hennepin, IL 815-894-2386 815-925-7373
www.ncb-ebanc.com
Deb Schultz
9
AG MATTERS| Summer 2018 BCR photo/Jim Dunn
Kristie Phillips poses on a 1963 John Deere 3010. She had company on last Saturday’s tractor trek: her father, Joe Phillips, on the tractor ahead of her, and her dog, Brady, who occupied a cage behind her.
2008 Case IH 8010 • 2,260/1,666 hours, AFX, Pro 600, Bin extension...$109,000
2010 Case IH 7120 • 2,476/1,922 hours, AFX, Pro 600, Diff locks...$119,500
2009 Case IH 6088 • 2,002/1,521 hours, AFX, Pro 600, Case WAAS...$121,
2009 Case IH 5088 • 1,760/1,257 hours, AFX, Pro 600, Field Tracker...$124,000
2010 Case IH 8120 • 1,968/1,323 hours, AFX, Pro 600, Bin extension...$162,000
2013 Case IH 7230 • 1,207/919 hours, AFX, Pro 700, Cross auger ctr...$202,000
2015 Case IH 5140 • 632/473 hours, AFX, Pro 700, HID Lights...$203,000
2014 Case IH 7230 • 1,268/964 hours, AFX, Pro 700, Power-fold bin...$212,000
VISIT US FOR HIGH QUALITY USED EQUIPMENT 1990 Case IH 7130 • 6,513 hours, Powershift, 3 Remotes, PTO...$38,500 SM-PR1544942
407 S. East St. 1350 Western Ave Annawan, IL 61234 Henry, IL 61537 (309) 935-6768 (309) 364-2336 www.birkeys.com
2004 Case IH MX285 • 5,927 hours, MFD, Powershift, Deluxe Cab...$75,000
Summer 2018
| AG MATTERS
10
LIVESTOCK
Pork industry expecting to face large losses Combination of factors will strain farmers’ finances U OF I EXTENSION
URBANA — Large pork supplies, rising costs, and potential trade retaliation from both Mexico and China continue to cast a shadow over the U.S. pork industry. Losses are expected for the rest of 2018 and 2019. According to Purdue University agricultural economist Chris Hurt, losses will be small this summer, but then the bottom will fall out. Losses of more than $25 per head are estimated for the last quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019. “There is a lot of pork. Production so far this year is up nearly 4 percent with the number of head coming to market about 3 percent higher and weights up near 1 percent,” Hurt said. “Domestic demand and export
demand have been good this year but not strong enough to offset the higher supplies. As a result, live hog prices have been down 3 percent.” In the January to May period of 2017, the live hog price for 51 to 52 percent lean carcasses averaged $48.74. This year, the price was about $1.75 lower, around $47. Hurt said trade concerns continue, but exports have remained favorable in the data that is available so far this year, which shows pork exports growing by almost 6 percent. This is on-track with current USDA estimates for pork exports to grow by 5 percent for the entire year. Retail demand also appears to be positive with data released for this year. Retailers are selling pork at $3.75 per retail pound compared to $3.69 for the same period one year ago. The ability to sell a higher volume of pork at higher prices is an indication that consumer demand has strengthened. According to Hurt, a smaller portion of those retail dollars are getting to pork producers as marketing margins have widened, especially
We have served our communities for over 50 years
at the retail level. Packer margins have dropped sharply as a result of the added packer capacity that came on-line in the past year. Hurt said that the pork industry is caught up in trade disputes. “The Trump administration has chosen to use threatened tariffs as a means to voice concerns to other countries about trade policies,” Hurt said. “For steel and aluminum imports, the U.S. has moved beyond threats and implemented actual tariffs. The EU, Mexico and Canada recently lost their exemptions as allies of the U.S. China has always been a target of the steel and aluminum tariffs,” he said. With the U.S. tariffs on imports of foreign metals in place, retaliation has come from the EU, Mexico, Canada and China in the form of tariffs on U.S. exports to their countries. For pork, the gravest concerns are Mexico, which purchased 32 percent of U.S. pork export volume in 2017. Canada and China each purchased 9 percent of U.S. pork exports last year. Those three countries pur-
chased one-half of all U.S. pork exports in 2017. “Each of these countries remain in discussions with U.S. trade authorities,” Hurt said. “This means there is still hope that differences can be resolved. The bottom line is that exports represent the market for 22 percent of U.S. pork production. The industry is already facing substantial losses in 2018 and 2019, and thus is in a vulnerable position if these trade differences should reduce pork exports.” Looking forward, Hurt said pork supplies are expected to continue to be 4 percent higher for the rest of the year and may moderate to a growth rate of about 3 percent next winter. Hog prices are expected to average near $50 in the second quarter this year, in the low $50s in the third quarter, and around $43 in the final quarter. That will provide an annual 2018 price of $48 compared to $50.50 last year. According to Hurt, costs are expected to rise as well in 2018 in terms of labor, interest, fuel, machinery and feed.
Growing Stronger With Each Generation
Grain LLC
WHAT WE OFFER: • Grain Merchandising • Trucking • Storage
Manlius Bradford Cambridge 815-445-2311 309-897-7491 309-937-2435 www.michliggrain.com
OPERATING LINES...EQUIPMENT LOANS...REAL ESTATE FINANCING
Call one of our experienced Ag Bankers today. Fulton 815.589.3232 Brad Ottens
Geneseo 309.944.5601 Randy Clary
Princeton 815.875.3333 Jason VanLanduit Neal Knauf Tevis Mott
Rochelle 815.562.5571 Lori Hillison Brandon Svela
www.central-bank.com Member FDIC
Equal Hosing Lender
FACTS ABOUT FARMLAND
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Why is farmland important? Farmland is a valuable, nonrenewable natural resource that serves several important economic and environmental functions. Crops and livestock raised on farmland provide food products and raw materials used to manufacture goods for consumers throughout the world. Farmland absorbs rainwater, helping replenish groundwater supplies and reduce flooding. It also provides habitat for wildlife and open space that enhances the landscape. Agriculture is one of Illinois’ most important industries. Directly and indirectly, the business of farming employs 1 million Illinoisans and 20 million others nationwide. Marketing of Illinois’ agricultural commodities generates about $8 billion annually. Ag-related industries, such as farm machinery manufacturing, agricultural real estate, and production and sale of value-added food products, contribute billions more to the state’s economy.
For example, food processing alone adds almost $11.5 billion annually to the value of Illinois’ raw agricultural commodities. Farmland cannot be created; there is no practical way to mitigate the loss when acres are developed or converted to other uses. Once land has been developed or converted, it usually cannot be returned to production. Illinois has lost 3.6 million acres of farmland since 1950, an average of almost 77,000 acres each year. From 1950 to 1990, the population of the United States increased by more than 97 million, and Illinois’ population increased by more than 2.7 million. As the world’s population continues to grow, so will the need for food and other goods produced from agricultural commodities. Preserving farmland is necessary to meet the needs of people in Illinois, the United States and around the globe.
Farmland attributes
• Provides food for domestic and foreign consumption. • Provides raw materials used to manufacture building materials, paper, medicine, oils,fuel additives,
polymers, resins and other goods. • Absorbs rainwater, helping replenish groundwater supplies and reduce flooding. • Provides wildlife habitat. • Produces biomass for renewable energy sources such as ethanol. • Provides outdoor recreational opportunities. • Enhances quality and biological
• NEW HOMES • GARAGES • ROOM ADDITIONS • ROOFING • SIDING • POLE BUILDINGS • REMODELING Post Office Box 114 Walnut, IL. 61376 Email: haroldrollo@yahoo.com Website: www.rolloconstruction.com
Home: 815-379-9317 Ans. Machine: 815-379-2350 Cell Phone: 815-303-9321
Crop Production Services
for a complimentary analysis contact
CHIP JOHNSON 815.866.6161 farms1@comcast.net
We are dedicated to helping our customers achieve maximum success. When you meet and work with a member of the Crop Production Services team, we are confident you will see our strengths first-hand and “Profit from our experience.”
based out of Princeton Illinois
Manlius
SM-PR1550917
815-445-6951 2681 US HWY 34 | Oswego IL 60543 | 331.999.3490 | landprollc.us
FREE ESTIMATES
THE ONE NAME IN CROP PROTECTION INPUTS
TODAY’S FARMLAND MARKET IS CHANGING
Professional Land Real Estate Specialists
integrity of sensitive natural areas by acting as a buffer between development and natural areas. • Provides open space, enhancing the quality of life in developing areas. • Provides jobs for farmers and others working in ag-related industries. • Serves as a source of local tax revenues, providing economic stability in rural areas.
Walnut
815-379-9295
AG MATTERS| Summer 2018
Farmland — they just don’t make it anymore
11
Summer 2018
| AG MATTERS
12
Do you know how valuable you are?
We do.
Your family knows too. If something happened to you, would they be able to stay in their house, keep up with bills, and would your kids have money for college? Protect the ones you love by insuring their most valuable asset – you! Give me a call today.
Jim Scruggs Princeton
Crane Schafer Spring Valley
Mike Morris Princeton
815-872-3333
815-664-4145
815-872-3333
Ron Behrends Tiskilwa
Tyler Hansen Walnut
Ben Schmidt Princeton
815-646-4121
815-379-9297
815-872-0914
Dan Kniss Agency Manager Princeton 815-221-3075 SM-PR1549802
Life insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® or COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, Illinois. 0618-121