Issuu

AG Mag North Central Illinois

PUBLICATION • WINTER 2021

HUNGRY WORLD FARM FOCUSES ON REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE See story on page 12

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INDEX

Ag Mag

Much more to do: ‘It’s still our time’...................................................... 6 ‘We put American agriculture first’........................................................ 8 COVID surge in rural America.............................................................. 10 Hungry World Farm focuses on regenerative agriculture................... 12 Compassion fatigue: Take care of yourself too................................... 14 Ag groups welcome new dietary guidelines........................................ 15 Keys to making soil healthy for profitable farming............................. 16 That barn cat........................................................................................ 18 Incomes may take hit in 2021..............................................................20 Illinois sets 2021 dicamba restrictions................................................22 Opportunity knocks in 2021.................................................................23

Bureau County Republican 526 S. Bureau Valley Pkwy., Ste. F Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-4461 Publisher Dan Goetz Editor Jim Henry Advertising Director Jeanette Smith

jmsmith@shawmedia.com

Writers Shannon Serpette Martha Blum Tom C. Doran Erica Quinlan Jeannine Otto Photographers Shannon Serpette Erica Quinlan Designer Sheryl Liss

On the cover: Dave Bell of Hungry World Farm is swarmed by hogs that know it’s nearly feeding time. Page 12 Articles are the property of AgriNews. No portion of the North Central Illinois Ag Mag may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of the Bureau County Republican. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, the Bureau County Republican cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. The Bureau County Republican cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.

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AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION CONVENTION

Much more to do: ‘It’s still our time’ By Jeannine Otto

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

GREENSBORO, Ga. — Almost a year ago, the plan was that Zippy Duvall would have been addressing the membership of the American Farm Bureau Federation from San Diego, California, for the AFBF’s 2021 annual meeting. Among the many changes wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic was the one that had Duvall delivering his annual AFBF president’s address from his own farm in Georgia, rather than live from a stage. But even if the delivery was virtual, the words offered a look back at a tumultuous year and an industry that took some hits, and forward, to work that continues, regardless of who’s in the White House.

“Folks, let me assure you, it’s still our time,” said Duvall, speaking just days after a mob of pro-Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Duvall laid out the to-do list for the AFBF in a reminder to members that the legislative and policy needs of the U.S. farm and agricultural community, and of AFBF members, remain. “We must work together because we still have much more to do for our American farmers,” Duvall said. He emphasized that by relating the story of the #StillFarming hashtag social messaging program. The AFBF started #StillFarming in the early weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zippy Duvall has served as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation since 2016. “We created #StillFarming as a simple effort to assure the public that we are committed to stock Americans’ pantries and feeding their families. We reached nearly 100 million people because it was the right message, ensuring the public that we have their back,” Duvall said. The hashtag also inspired a T-shirt featuring #StillFarming. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts go to Feeding America and to the American Farm

Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. One of the major pieces of unfinished business for AFBF and U.S. agriculture remains the issue of farm labor. That issue was and continues to be in the spotlight in the U.S. livestock industry, particularly in meat and poultry processing plants. Livestock producers had to take drastic measures as See DUVALL, Page 7

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DUVALL FROM PAGE SIX

processing plants across the United States either slowed down or closed altogether, albeit temporarily, as workers fell ill with COVID-19. Plant shutdowns and slowdowns caused massive backups of livestock on farms. “We have to solve the problem of insufficient agricultural labor once and for all,” Duvall said. Duvall also made it clear the AFBF will continue to keep an eye on tax issues, particularly the federal estate tax, which has long been a hot topic with the organization and its members. Currently, the single-filer federal estate tax exemption is $11.58 million and the exemption for couples is $22.36 million. Those exemptions continue through 2025, and Duvall made it clear the AFBF will be ready when those exemptions reach that deadline. “We need to make sure that exemption is permanent, and we must protect the tax cuts enacted in 2017,” he said. Duvall also highlighted

some of the wins for agriculture and farmers during the Trump administration. This was the first AFBF annual meeting in the last three years that the president wasn’t the keynote speaker. Trump made headlines and history in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2018 when he became the first sitting U.S. president to speak to the AFBF membership at the annual meeting since President George H.W. Bush addressed the membership in January 1992. “We have made the most out of our time. The relationships we have built with Congress and the administration helped deliver $38 billion to help our farmers survive and continue producing the nation’s food supply,” Duvall said. Duvall also pointed on one of the AFBF’s biggest victories — replacing the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule with the “New Clean Water Rule.” The new rule, the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, became effective on June 22, 2020. It defines federal water jurisdiction and clarifies what areas are under federal and what areas are under state jurisdiction.

“Perhaps the greatest win came in the regulatory arena. We succeeded in replacing the Waters of the U.S. rule with a new Clean Water Rule that complies with the law,” Duvall said. Duvall also touched on the topic of trade. “Of course, there’s been a lot of tension over the last couple of years about the trade war with China and the impact that it’s had on our farm exports and rightfully so. The reality is the past couple of years have been very productive in the area of new trade deals, with the U.S.-Japan agreement, the USMCA and the China Phase 1 agreement, that commits China to purchasing about $40 billion a year of U.S. commodities, almost twice the level of exports to China before the trade war started,” Duvall said. Duvall’s message to the membership turned personal — and emotional — as he recalled his own difficult year. Duvall’s wife, Bonnie, died of cancer on Jan. 18, 2020. “My family and I watched last year’s convention from afar and felt the warm em-

brace of this wonderful organization and its members,” he said. Bonnie Duvall was remembered at the 2020 annual meeting, and President Trump also memorialized her in his remarks at the meeting and offered condolences to the Duvall family. “Let me tell you, heaven has a new angel and there’s no doubt about that,” Duvall said. He also recalled his own battle with COVID-19 after being diagnosed with the virus in July 2020. “Again, I felt the outpouring of love and support from this amazing Farm Bureau family. I share those personal experiences to illustrate that we truly are a Farm Bureau family. We are more connected than ever and we are getting great things done for American farmers and ranchers,” Duvall said. He ended the address on a message of unity. “We are stronger when we work together to preserve and promote the ability for our farmers and ranchers to be productive and profitable,” he said. Jeannine Otto

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Ag Mag – 7

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AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION CONVENTION

‘We put American agriculture first’ By Jeannine Otto

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

WASHINGTON — “Thank each one of you and God bless you and God bless America.” That was the parting blessing from Sonny Perdue, outgoing U.S. secretary of agriculture, as he addressed the 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention for the last time in his federal role. Perdue, appearing at the virtual convention via screen, summed up the accomplishments of the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Trump administration and urged Farm Bureau members to stay active and engaged during the Biden administration.

Perdue is one of the original Trump Cabinet appointees who remained by the president throughout the administration. Trump announced just days before his own inauguration, on Jan. 20, 2017, that he was appointing Perdue as agriculture secretary. “I know that you love America as much as I do, and my hope is that we will work together to solve the issues facing our nation. But that can only happen if you stay committed to the ideas and beliefs that we share,” Perdue said. Perdue outlined the accomplishments and wins, both for the USDA and for American agriculture and farmers, during President Donald

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is seen in his office after an interview with The Associated Press at the Agriculture Department in Washington. Trump’s administration. “Alongside President Trump and the faithful public servants at USDA, we put American agriculture first,” Perdue said. That included trade deals and navigating through the trade war with China. “We’ve not let farmers stand alone. Through two rounds of trade assistance, we helped farmers weather the storm as

we stood up to China, who has taken advantage of us for many years. Last year alone, USDA supported American farmers and ranchers with access to more than $34 billion in emergency funds to help meet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Perdue said. He called for continuing See PERDUE, Page 9

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PERDUE

the agencies quit due to the move. “When I became secretary, FROM PAGE EIGHT I made it my goal to leave USDA better than I found it work on exports and building and to have the most efficient, export markets. effective and customer-fo“We need more markets cused agency in the federal abroad to sell the abundance government. I sure hope of American agriculture. we’ve lived up to that mission This means in your eyes,” more trade Perdue said. “Alongside deals, like the Perdue recUSMCA and ognized the President Trump and holding China people he met to their trading on his travels the faithful public commitments. throughout the Sights should United States. servants at USDA, be set on south“It’s so reeast Asia, the freshing to see we put American booming marthe great pakets of Africa, agriculture first.” triots who selfas well as the lessly commit United KingSonny Perdue, their lives to dom,” he said. feed and clothe former secretary During Pertheir fellow citUSDA due’s time at izens. It’s been the USDA, a true honor to the agency faced controversy serve as secretary of agriculwhen Perdue announced ture and to work alongside that two USDA agencies, the you all, especially my good Economic Research Service friend, Zippy Duvall,” said and the National Institute of Perdue, praising the American Food and Agriculture, would Farm Bureau president. be moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Over 250 employees of Jeannine Otto

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Ag Mag – 9

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COVID surge in rural America By Tom C. Doran

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

WASHINGTON — The rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases shifted from large metro areas to rural counties in late fall. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service released its annual “Rural America at a Glance” focused on pandemic-related conditions and its impact on the rural economy. The virus arrived in the United States in early winter and spread quickly in major metro areas. Despite some spread beyond major metro locations, cases remained centered on urban areas over the next several months, according to the report. In May and June, the rate of new COVID-19 cases declined in large metro areas and stabilized in smaller cities and rural areas, only to surge again in July. This time, the surge See COVID, Page 11

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COVID

FROM PAGE TEN

involved rural areas, as well as large metro areas. More notably, when the weekly case rate subsequently declined in large metro areas in August and September, the decline was echoed only partially in rural areas. In the most recent surge beginning in late September, the highest incidence rate for new infections was in completely rural counties, while the low-

est was in major metro areas. Rural areas represent 14% of the U.S. adult population and had about 14% of total confirmed COVID-19 cases and 11% of all deaths from March through Nov. 1. However, the rural share of cases and deaths increased markedly over time as the virus spread. In the three weeks leading up to Nov. 1, rural residents accounted for 21% of new cases. COVID-19 deaths became even more concentrated in rural areas, with rural residents accounting for 27% of the nation’s deaths from COVID19 during the last three

weeks of October. The rural population appears to be more vulnerable to serious infection in several ways. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified two personal characteristics of people highly vulnerable to the coronavirus: old age, especially very old age over 75; and the presence of underlying health problems. People may also be more vulnerable when they have difficulty accessing health care, measured in the study as lacking health insurance and residing far from hospitals. In each case, rural residents are much more likely to live in a high vulnerability county, the top 20% of all counties, than are metro residents. UNEMPLOYMENT RATES In March and April, U.S. unemployment rates rose to levels not seen since the 1930s. Rural unemployment peaked at 13.6% in mid-April, which was one point lower than in metro areas, and fell to 6% by mid-September. The spread of the pandemic varied across rural counties, shaped in part by their dom-

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inant economic sector — for example, recreation or manufacturing-dependent. In rural counties with a high proportion of jobs in meatpacking operations, COVID19 cases peaked at the end of April at nearly 50 per 100,000 population, compared with roughly 5 per 100,000 in other rural counties. Even though cases in meatpacking-dependent counties started to decline in May, they remained significantly higher compared to other rural counties, falling to just under 7 times the number of average daily cases per 100,000 population by the end of May. Partial plant closures and increased social distancing protocols were implemented at meatpacking plants across the country starting in late May. These measures appear to have slowed infection rates, as June saw a sharp reduction in cases in meatpacking-dependent counties. Tom C. Doran can be reached at 815-780-7894 or tdoran@agrinews-pubs.com. Follow him on Twitter at: @ AgNews_Doran.

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Hungry World Farm focuses on regenerative agriculture The farm’s residents grow food while restoring the earth and promoting fellowship Story and pictures by Shannon Serpette

Stephan Rauh, the lead produce farmer at Hungry World Farm, stands next to the produce garden he dug with a shovel.

This is one of the rabbits tended to by Dave Bell at Hungry World Farm.

Those who live at Hungry World Farm have access to fresh produce even on cold, snowy days.

While sustainable agriculture has been embraced for decades now, regenerative agriculture is a growing movement. One of the champions of holistic, regenerative agriculture in Bureau County is Hungry World Farm, located in rural Tiskilwa. Karla Detweiler, who was working as a Mennonite pastor in Iowa, moved to the 175acre Hungry World Farm with her family in June 2020. Hungry World Farm is a working farm and ministry that dedicates itself to food production and consumption. Those who live on the farm, like the Detweiler family, want to educate and inspire people to care about having healthy food, fields, and bodies while they care for the planet. “I’ve had a dream for a long time of having a community that cares for the earth,” she said. She loved the idea of a farm where the focus wasn’t on sustainability but on regenerative agriculture. “It’s a way of growing food that prioritizes soil health and ecosystem health,” she said. Regenerative agriculture nurtures the microbes in the soil, partly from disturbing the earth as little as possible. This style of farming isn’t about just sustaining – it seeks to improve. “It has the potential to heal

and regenerate the soil,” she said. “It’s going back to what it was originally supposed to be.” Hungry World Farm spreads the word about regenerative agriculture and healthy living in various ways, including educational outreach efforts. The Farm Learning Center, which is used for educational purposes and sits in the same section of the farm as the residences, is undergoing renovation right now. “By spring, it will be brand spanking new,” Detweiler said. The center is used for hosting farm learning days. One of the farm learning days was on the topic of food insecurity. The guests are generally a mix of people from different backgrounds. There might be farmers or concerned adults – they welcome anyone who wants to learn more and be part of the solution. The farm residents would love to see more kids on field trips visit the property to learn about farming and caring for the earth. “We want to be considered a service organization in the community,” she said. Those living at Hungry World Farm are working on making improvements or additions, such as having a commercial kitchen geared toward baked goods and eventually growing Heritage grains on the property, Detweiler said. The long-term plan for the farm includes

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more walking areas for those who want to spend more time in nature. “That’s part of the vision, too. We would like to develop more of a trail system,” she said. “We would love to host retreats and have retreat space on the farm.” Even before all these planned projects come to fruition, the farm is a bustling place to be, producing meat, eggs, and fruits and vegetables, with two acres of land designed as certified organic. Dave Bell, the lead animal farmer at Hungry World Farm, is responsible for tending to the farm’s animals, which include sheep, goats, hogs, chickens, ducks, and rabbits. The sheep are grass-fed, and the Heritage hogs are fed a mix of organically-grown corn, kelp, and soybean, he said. While Bell loves tending to animals – something he has done in some form for most of his life – he’s equally fond of the people he meets at Hungry World Farm. “This place has been such a blessing,” Bell said. “I have met so many people from so many places.” Whether it’s local people who help the farm in any way they can, those coming from another state, or people who travel from other countries like Tanzania and Zimbabwe to volunteer and learn on the farm, Bell has treasured all the friendships he’s made. “I’ve met such great, interesting people,” he said. The farm offers internships, ranging from a summer stint to year-long, for people interested in learning about this unique farming method. These opportunities are available because those at the farm believe the world is better off when people work together and share knowledge. They hope that the interns at the farm take their lessons and later go home to use what they’ve learned about regenerative agriculture. “Right now, we’re open for applications for next summer,” Detweiler said. They are looking for summer interns as well as a couple of full-year internships. It’s an immersion experience that pays a stipend, offers lodging when needed, and gives access to the farm’s food.

Detweiler said Hungry World Farm doesn’t discriminate when choosing interns. It’s a non-profit organization that has no bias regarding race, religion, or politics. One of the methods the farm employs for enriching the soil is using compost. A short walk away from the animals sit piles of leaves and other materials. Bell picks up the materials in Tiskilwa with the help of volunteers. They sit there decomposing at the farm and are eventually used for composting. “The village of Tiskilwa has been very supportive,” Detweiler said. “And this (the composting pile) provides great organic matter for our garden.” The garden area is approximately three-fourths of an acre, but two acres of blueberries are also grown on the farm. A propagation room sits near the garden so seedlings can be started when it’s still too chilly to plant them outside. Stephan Rauh, the lead produce farmer on the farm, has a deep interest in agriculture and distributing food. To align with regenerative agriculture principles, Rauh didn’t use a tiller to plant the crops. He dug the rows with a shovel the old-fashioned way. “We try to minimize the disturbance of the soil as best we can,” he said. Some of the produce grown in Rauh’s garden area includes salad greens, carrots, radishes, beets, potatoes, and winter squash. “We try to focus on crops that are most common,” he said. His favorite parts about life at Hungry World Farm are having the opportunity to grow food and tend to the soil’s health. “It’s really amazing to me,” he said.

Karla Detweiler walks down a hill to get from the residential homes at Hungry World Farm to the section containing the crops and the animals. The climb back up is fairly steep and great for getting some exercise.

Ag Mag – 13

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COMPASSION FATIGUE

Take care of yourself, too

By Erica Quinlan

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

AUBURN, Ind. — We all face stress. Those who take care of their friends, families and co-workers may experience extra stress that results in compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue is the cost of caring for other people’s emotional pain, said Angela Sorg, Purdue Extension educator in DeKalb County, during a webinar hosted by Purdue Women in Agriculture. “Compassion fatigue is a profound emotional and physical erosion, when you’re unable to recharge,” she explained. “Compassion fatigue is when you’re absorbing the trauma and emotional stress of others and therefore it changes how you view the world and how you behave.” Those who work with livestock regularly have to make

end of life decisions, which may have an impact on their mental health. They are at a high risk of experiencing compassion fatigue. “If you are a natural caretaker and you are someone who tends to put yourself aside all the time to take care of others, then you are at a high risk for experiencing compassion fatigue,” Sorg said. Symptoms of compassion fatigue include feeling burAGRINEWS PHOTO/ERICA QUINLAN dened by the suffering of oth- Caretakers across the country are at risk for compassion fatigue as ers, blaming others for their COVID-19 rages on. When you’re the one taking care of your friends suffering, isolating yourself, and family, with little time for yourself, it can take a toll on your mental loss of pleasure in your life, well-being. difficulty concentrating, insomnia, mental and physical Erica Quinlan can be H — Hobbies fatigue, bottling up your emoreached at 800-426-9438, ext. E — Exercise tions, increased nightmares, 193, or equinlan@agrinewsR — Relaxation feelings of hopelessness or pubs.com. D — Diversion powerlessness, and more. Follow her on Twitter at: S — Social connectedness Sorg shared self-help stratFor resources visit www. @AgNews_Quinlan. egies and positive coping stress.org or www.heartmindstrategies: online.org.

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Ag groups welcome new dietary guidelines By Jeannine Otto

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

WASHINGTON — Dairy, egg and meat groups welcomed the new U.S. dietary guidelines for Americans, and for one ag group, the rollout of the guidelines is providing added motivation. “USDA and HHS deserve praise for once again recognizing just how vital dairy is to the nation’s health and well-being,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producer’s Federation. For the National Pork Board, the guidelines affirm lean pork’s role, the guidelines also were a reminder. “While fresh pork is respected by the scientific community as a nutritious source of lean protein, it continues to lag behind other proteins when it comes to consumer perceptions of being ‘good for me and my family,’ according to the ongoing Checkoff-funded At Home Meat Tracker,” said

the NPB in a statement about the guidelines. The National Pork Board added that the group will be rolling out new messaging in 2021 to promote pork as part of a healthy lifestyle. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association welcomed the guidelines. “Beef is one of Americans’ favorite foods and science consistently shows lean beef can be the cornerstone in a variety of healthy diets,” said Marty Smith, NCBA president. The Grain Chain, a stakeholder coalition of grain industry interests, including the American Bakers Association, the Grain Foods Foundation, USA Rice, the Wheat Foods Council, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the Wheat Foods Council, the National Pasta Association, the Cereal and Grains Association and others, applauded the guidelines, which did not make major

changes to past guidelines. That included maintaining recommendations for a healthy American adult to consume grain foods, six 1-ounce servings daily, and half of those servings to come from whole grains. “We are delighted that the nutritional value of both whole and enriched grains in the diet, which is supported by vast scientific research, is acknowledged by the Dietary Guidelines. Grain foods are staples that create the foundation for a healthy and balanced diet,” said Jane DeMarchi, president of the North American Millers Association and a member of the Grain Chain. The American Egg Board also greeted the guidelines, particularly the recommendation to introduce babies, at around 6 months, to “nutrient-dense complementary foods.” For the first time, the guidelines include recommenda-

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tions for infants and toddlers. “The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans confirm what the science has shown: eggs provide critical nutritional support for brain health, and they play a crucial role in infant development and prenatal health. With 90% of brain growth happening before kindergarten, eggs help make every bite count, especially when babies are just being introduced to solid foods,” said Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a joint project of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services. Jeannine Otto can be reached at 815-223-2558, ext. 211, or jotto@agrinews-pubs.com. Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Otto.

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Keys to making soil healthy for profitable farming By Martha Blum

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

CHICAGO — Healthy soil is key to profitable farming. “Soil health is the capacity for soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans,” said Jeff Martin, owner and operator of Martin Family Farms, who farms with his wife, Jean, and their sons, Doug and Derek, near Mount Pulaski, Illinois. “If we have a healthy soil with all the minerals to produce a healthy plant, then those minerals in the plant go into the food chain, which helps us become more healthy,” said Martin during a webinar organized by The Chicago Farmers. “The single largest issue with consistent farm profits is that we have the wrong expectations of our soils that if See SOIL, Page 17

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SOIL

FROM PAGE SIXTEEN

we pour on inputs it will be successful,” Martin said. “Far too many people only look at soil to hold plants upright, but soil is much more than that — it’s the creatures that live in the soil.” Healthy soils help plants to be resistant to pathogens and diseases, Martin said. “One of the keys to getting soils healthy is the 17 essential nutrients and another 60 to 70 that are needed for plant growth,” he said. “These nutrients must be properly balanced to work in the proper way.” The goal is to develop a balanced nutrient cycling system. “Plant available nutrients is how this cycle works,” Martin said. “Bacteria in the soil feeds on organic matter and other nutrients and the bacteria can double their population every 10 to 15 minutes.” The protozoa feed on bacteria to keep the bacteria populations in check, which cycles

the nutrients. “Bacteria has a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 5 to 1 and protozoa has a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 30 to 1 so the protozoa needs to eat six bacteria in order to fill its carbons needs and in turn it ends up with five nitrogen,” Martin said. “Since it only needs one nitrogen to fill its nitrogen needs, it will excrete four nitrogen into the soil, which will be available to the corn plant, which is how the plant gets its nutrients.” Ratios exist for all nutrients — such as carbon to nitrogen, carbon to phosphorus and carbon to potassium. “Fungi in soil can double populations every 20 to 30 minutes and beneficial nematodes feed on fungi to keep populations in check,” Martin said. “Fungi have a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 20 to 1 and nematodes 100 to 1 so a nematode eats five bacteria to fulfill its carbon requirements and only needs one nitrogen so it releases four nitrogen molecules back into the soil.” The Martins do sap testing of the plants growing in their fields.

“We take the liquid sap from a plant and use a refractometer to get a Brix rating which measures the sugar content in a plant,” Jeff Martin said. “A lot of our Brix ratings today are five to six and our goal is to get it to about 12.” For about the past six years, the Martins have been using an AgriBio Systems program on their fields to improve soil health. “After we finish harvest, the first thing we do is plant cover crops because we believe cover crops are a vital part of a soil health program,” Jeff Martin said. “Then we spray on BioMax, which is a liquid product that has bacteria and fungi. This product helps to break down organic matter and make nutrients in residue available for the crop the following year.” In the spring, BioMax is applied in furrow during planting. “After planting we do an application of liquid nitrogen and our chemical program, which we’re hoping we can cut back on chemicals,” Martin said. “We take sap samples to see if we need to do

foliar applications and we do a foliar application of liquid nitrogen because we’ve seen good results with splitting our nitrogen applications.” Soil microbes provide many benefits, Martin said, including improved soil structure and increased water holding capacity and water infiltration at the same time. “We can have plants immune to insects and disease if we have a healthy soil because the plant will send out through the root system what it needs to combat the problem,” Martin said. “The root system will uptake the nutrients, which will help immunity to the pathogens trying to attack the plant.” “The benefits of a soil system that works for you are higher, more consistent yields with less money spent on inputs,” he said. Martha Blum can be reached at 815-223-2558, ext. 117, or marthablum@shawmedia. com. Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Blum.

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Regardless of their level of affection, to keep your barn cats healthy, you will need to think about vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and even feeding.

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STILLWATER, Okla. — Barn cats are kings and queens at horse farms and ranches, keeping away varmints like moles, mice and consequentially, even snakes. But even the most independent outdoor cats can benefit from added protection and routine care. For advice on caring for barn cats, AgriNews turned to Dr. Sarah Peakheart, assistant clinical professor with Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Purrr-use these top tips for thriving barn cats:  Construct a perch or loft area, so barn cats have a safe space from potential predators. “Offer them a few 18 – Winter 2021

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choices,” Peakheart said. “Cats love high perches or small holes they can dive into, if needed.”  Spay and neuter to prevent litters, as well as to deter them from roaming away, fighting with others and overall from channeling their inner “tomcat.”  Have an updated identification tag on their collar, and if possible have them micro-chipped, which is an easy option available at veterinary clinics during their spay or neuter procedure. This way, should they be lost or picked up by the city animal welfare, there is a better chance of being reunited with them.  Store feed in enclosed bins or feed rooms to deter food-indulging predators, such as raccoons and others that can harm even the toughest barn cats. “Other wildlife can spread diseases,

like rabies, intestinal parasites and fleas and ticks. Opossums can carry so many fleas, they are like walking flea salt shakers,” Peakheart warned.  Place common chemical-based items like horse fly spray and antifreeze safely out of sight. Some substances, even when ingested in small amounts, can cause seizures, or worse, in cats. Cats do not even have to ingest some of the fly sprays or other chemicals to be affected, just being around them while they are in use or still wet can cause damage. While they may not purposely ingest some things, they will groom it off their fur — like antifreeze, in which even the smallest amounts can cause acute kidney failure in cats.  Offer any outdoor cats, or dogs, a safe, warm place to sleep. A heated or insulated

cat house is perfect for keeping outdoor cats in winter months cozy. Also, ensure they have plenty of food and fresh water. Consider a heated water bowl to help prevent frozen water during wintertime.  Make plenty of noise before starting up your vehicles or farm equipment, especially during the wintertime when outdoor cats look for places to stay warm, like under the hood of your vehicle. “Make sure you bang on the hood before starting the car to give them a chance to get out,” Dr. Peakheart said.  Prioritize preventive care for healthy barn cats, including cat vaccines, parasite, flea and tick control, and heartworm prevention. Talk with your veterinarian about any additional health considerations for your barn cat.

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Incomes may take hit in 2021 By Tom C. Doran

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Expectations in early 2020 were for low net farm incomes, but as everyone now knows, it was a year to expect the unexpected. The pictured brightened by fall with lower than expected production, stronger than anticipated exports and additional ad hoc federal payments combined to boost revenues. University of Illinois agricultural economists Gary Schnitkey and Dale Latz looked back at 2020 incomes and ahead to the new year in a recent virtual Illinois Farm Economics Summit. The turning point for commodity prices arrived in August with hot, dry weather and a derecho storm that impacted yields in parts of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. The U.S. Department of

Agriculture’s August forecast had the average corn yield in Iowa at 202 bushels per acre, and that was reduced to 184 by November. “Obviously, that had a big impact on yields across the United States — 181.8 was the U.S. average in the August estimate, and now we’re looking at 175.8 bushels per acre. That was due in some extent to the yield decline in Iowa, the nation’s largest corn-producing state, and Illinois and a number of other state’s yields came down, as well,” Schnitkey said. “As a result of that and continued good export demand, our 2020 average marketing year price has increased from $3.10 per bushel in August to $4 in November. “There was sort of the same phenomenon for soybeans. The August USDA projected average was 53.3 bushels per

acre, and that was reduced to 50.7 in November. The average marketing year price was projected at $8.35 per bushel in August and increased to $10.40 in November.” FEDERAL AID Along with increased prices that affected farm income in 2020, there were also farm program payments. “There was USDA’s Wildfires and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus for 2018 and 2019 that are being paid out now. The Paycheck Protection Program that many farmers were able to take advantage of. A large percentage of those dollars will be most likely forgiven on those notes if they’re used for eligible farm expense,” Latz noted. “There was also Economic Injury Disaster Loans that some farmers took out. There were the additional Coronavi-

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rus Food Assistance Program and Market Facilitation Program payments on the 2020 crop along with finishing up for 2019. “Obviously, a lot of that added to farm incomes in 2020 and supported farm incomes from the standpoint that we thought it was going to be a tough year, and it turned out to be maybe one of the better years compared to the last three or four years anyway.” INCOME Data from farms enrolled in Illinois Farm Business Farm Management projects 2020 accrued farm income on high-productivity farms to be in the $180,000 range. “That’s based on yield, price projections, ad hoc federal payments and expenses. This is simply an estimate based on those factors. We are seeing See INCOMES, Page 21

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INCOMES FROM PAGE TWENTY

improvements from the previous year, and if this does come to fruition, that $180,000 would be the highest income we’ve had in the last five or six years,” Latz explained. “There was kind of an income run-up in grain prices from 2006 to 2012 with the exception of lower prices in 2009. Prices then began to drop back down. We’ve been moving up a little bit the last three to four years, but still below those higher income levels previously seen. In 2018, we had significant MFP payments on soybeans that resulted in income being higher that year. The 2019 income was nearly $75,000,” Latz said. NEW YEAR Looking ahead to 2021, Schnitkey gave two budget scenarios. The baseline scenario would have a trend yield of 217 bushels per acre for corn and 68

bushels per acre for soybeans; no ad hoc federal disaster assistance; and the current fall bids. His optimistic scenario includes yields above trend, no price lowering and $25 per acre ag hoc federal assistance. Schnitkey’s baseline 2021 corn budget for central Illinois high-productivity land included 217 bushels per acre and a price of $3.70 per bushel and 68 bushels per acre soybean yield at a price of $9.80 per bushel. These baseline budgets resulted in $803 gross revenue per acre for corn and $666 for soybeans and do not include federal ad hoc payments or crop insurance payments. Non-land costs for corn and soybeans were $580 and $360 per acre, respectively, and cash rent at $275 per acre. Under this scenario with 50% corn and 50% soybeans the farmer return would be an $11 per acre loss, compared to a $101 per acre profit in 2020, with ad hoc federal payments. Under the “optimistic” projection for highly productive land in central Illinois, Schnit-

key had average yields of 230 bushels per acre for corn and 70 for soybeans. He kept the prices at $3.70 per bushel for corn and $9.80 for soybeans. The budgets also included $25 per acre in CFAP payments for corn and soybeans, resulting in corn gross revenue of $876 per acre and soybeans of $711. Schnitkey plugged-in non-land costs of $568 an acre for corn and $360 for soybeans. Under the optimistic scenario with 50% corn and 50% soybeans, the farmer’s return would be $55 per acre with ad hoc federal payments and $30 without federal payments. Of course, there can be hiccups along the way. “Obviously, grain prices are one. We’ve seen an unexpected significant increase in both corn and soybean prices the last three months led by strong export markets and some hiccups in our production in certain areas of the Midwest,” Latz said. “Will there be a return to $3.60 corn and $9 soybeans? “We’ve had strong soybean and corn yields the last

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number of years. We do have areas where weather patterns change, and we have drier weather or something like that and have a drop in yields. “Probably the biggest thing as we look from 2020 to 2021 is will there be any federal ad hoc pay programs for 2021. We’re going to have a change in administration, maybe a change in philosophy and some of those things, but that obviously has been a big factor in farm income the last couple of years. “If we continue to have strong yields, corn and soybean supplies will increase and will we continue to have a build-up in supplies that would suppress prices a little bit. It’s hard to see much of an increase in domestic use. China has been a big factor. They’ve been a big buyer of soybeans and have also turned to corn.”

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Illinois sets 2021 dicamba restrictions By Tom C. Doran

AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Agriculture registered dicamba products for use on soybeans in 2021 that includes restrictions that differ from the federal label. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved five-year registrations Oct. 27 for two over-the-top dicamba products — XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology and Engenia Herbicide — and extended the registration for an additional OTT dicamba product, Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology. The approved federal label includes a cutoff date of June 30 for application of these products on soybeans. However, IDOA will be utilizing its authority pursuant to Section 24(a) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and relevant provisions of the Illinois Pes-

ticide Act to impose a cutoff date of June 20 for application on soybeans. In addition to the June 20 cutoff date, IDOA also includes the following additional application restrictions for application of these products on soybeans:  Temperature restriction of 85 degrees.  Requirement to consult the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry www.fieldwatch.com before application.  Prohibiting application if the wind is blowing toward any Illinois Nature Preserves Commission site that is adjacent to the proposed field of application.  Prohibiting application when the wind is blowing toward an adjacent residential area. These Illinois provisions were also imposed in 2020. Other requirements in both the state and federal labels include:  Requiring an approved pH-buffering agent, also

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known as a volatility-reducing agent, be tank mixed with dicamba products prior to all applications.  Requiring a downwind buffer of 240 feet and 310 feet in areas where listed endangered species are located.  Additional recordkeeping items. “This decision was made after evaluating several factors, including the reduction of pesticide misuse cases involving the use of dicamba on soybeans from 2019 to 2020,” said IDOA Acting Director Jerry Costello II. “In 2020, the department included an 85-degree temperature restriction in addition to the June 20 cutoff date, resulting in an 80% decrease in dicamba misuse complaints.” According to IDOA, there was a record 723 dicamba-related misuse complaints in 2019 and 148 complaints in 2020 after further restrictions were put in place.

ONLINE TRAINING Now that the labels are approved, the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association announced online dicamba training as required on the labels will commence soon. As soon as training becomes available, IFCA will post details on its Illinois Dicamba Training website: www.ifca. com/IllinoisDicambaTraining. Tom C. Doran can be reached at 815-7807894 or tdoran@ agrinews-pubs. com. Follow him on Twitter at: @ AgNews_ Doran.

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Opportunity knocks in 2021

As we move further into 2021, I believe it’s a good time for leaders to begin thinking Darren Frye about opportunities Water Street that could potentially Solutions come up this year. While it’s true that it’s impossible to predict exactly what those opportunities will be, it’s a smart idea to think and plan ahead in the areas where they might arise. That way, when a real-life opportunity presents itself, you’ll be more ready to evaluate it quickly and take action when necessary. THREE AREAS TO WATCH 1. Land. This is always an area of potential opportunity for farms that want to grow, but it could become more feasible for some as operations review 2020 financials. You’ll need to be able to quickly determine whether a purchase price or cash rent bid is feasible for your operation. Having the right financial information about your farm business at the right time can make the difference between being able to seize a land opportunity or miss out on the right piece of land altogether. 2. Your business. There can be opportunities other than growth in terms of acres to grow the farm business. It takes a willingness to learn and be on the lookout for things like unmet needs or problems that others are encountering and thinking of creative ways to solve those problems. If you are looking for alternative ways to grow your operation and add revenue, consider how you can offer solutions to other farms or consumers. 3. Markets. The grain markets seem to be entering a whole new era of price vola-

tility. Volatility can mean opportunity if you have a plan and are ready to take action. But constantly watching the market and trying to digest all the information that’s out there can be tough when you need to be spending most of your time leading your operation. Our market advisers can partner with you to prepare for opportunity in the 2021 market and beyond. VISION 2021 Good plans always start with a broader vision for the future of the farm. Without a vision for the future, no one, including the leader, knows where the farm is headed. And if you don’t know where you’re going, you probably aren’t going to be able to make the right plans to get anywhere. As the leader of the farm, it’s your job to set the vision for where the farm is going. You’ll definitely want input from the other stakeholders in the operation about that. Think about one year to five years from now. What are the big goals that will need to happen in the near term in order for your future vision to happen? This is where you break it down into goals and plans that you and others on your farm can take concrete action on in the next couple years. Your goals might include bringing others formally into leadership or undertaking a large capital project, such as building new bins. It all depends on where you envision your farm heading. Get a sense for the numbers. Another key aspect, once you have goals and plans set on the table, is to take a close look at the numbers. Look at each plan and quantify the costs associated with it. Then it’s time to create or review the farm’s budgets and projections for 2021, as well as to get dynamic marketing plans in place for 2021 and beyond.

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