LNT Illinois Valley Farm Directory_022322

Farm Directory Illinois Valley

Spring/Summer 2022

Your #1 Source For Farm & Agriculture-Related Goods & Services! est. 1851

Contents

Farm Directory

3

Explaining precision agriculture

(815) 223-3200 • (800) 892-6452 www.newstrib.com

6

How agricultural technology can help improve sustainability

10

The challenges climate change poses to agriculture

12

Consumers, media and farmers discuss sustainability, transparency and giving farmers a voice

14

What is a smart greenhouse?

426 Second Street La Salle, Illinois 61301

Publisher Dan Goetz Advertising Director Jeanette Smith

jmsmith@shawmedia.com

Published by: est. 1851

To be included in future Farm Directory publications, please contact Jeanette Smith at (815) 220-6948 today!

2 Spring/Summer 2022 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

Explaining precision agriculture Few, if any, aspects of life in the 21st century have not been touched by technology.

Advancements in technology have affected everything from the way students learn in the classroom to how senior citizens connect with their grandchildren. Technological advancements also have left their mark on industry, including the agricultural sector.

Modern agriculture bears some similarities to farming of past eras. Technology has affected the agricultural sector for centuries, and modern farmers know that’s no different today. One of the more recent developments in the agricultural sector is the rise of precision agriculture, a farming management concept that can pay dividends for generations to come.

of technology. PA is designed to help the agricultural sector maximize resources and improve yields and the quality of crops. That’s a critically important function as the world population continues to grow and the demand for food increases as a result.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF PA TECHNOLOGY? Sensors are a prime example of PA technology that helps make farms more efficient and productive. Sensors serve various functions by helping farmers gather data on the availability of water in soil, the level of compaction in soil, leaf temperature, insect and disease infestation, and other areas.

Weather modeling is another component of PA that can help farms be more WHAT IS PRECISION AGRICULTURE? cost-effective and efficient.

Precision agriculture (PA) Whereas in years past many is rooted in improving crop farms would need to manuyields through the utilization ally assess certain variables

to determine when to harvest, weather modeling technology has enabled some farmers to generate remote readings, saving time and money.

HOW DOES PA HELP FARMERS? Each situation is unique, but the principles of PA can help farmers access a wealth of information. It might have been possible to access such information in the past, but PA has sped up the process and made it more hands-off, allowing farmers to save both

time and money. PA technology can help farmers maintain accurate records of their farms; inform their decisions; make it easier to detect and identify problems, sometimes before they escalate into larger issues; and avoid potentially costly mistakes.

Technology has left no industry untouched. The growth of precision agriculture is a testament to the influence that technology is having on a vital sector of the global economy.

AG223781

Brad Piller

Dan Stephenitch

Evan Wixom

Jeff Townsend

Alan Brizgis

Tim Kunkel

Brent Ohlinger

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Community President McNabb 815.882.2146 NMLS #477887

Community President Princeton 815.872.0002

Community President Rochelle 815.562.2200 NMLS #454385

William Davey

Cory Biers

John Theisinger

President, North Operations Sycamore 815.752.2265 NMLS #939133

Senior Vice President, Loans Mendota 815.539.3834 NMLS #477892

Vice President, Commercial/Ag Mendota 815.539.3834

Kirk Ross Senior Vice President, Commercial Mendota 815.539.3834 NMLS #477896

firststatebank.biz | 800.362.9623 A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Spring/Summer 2022 3

YOUR CHEVROLET TRUCK

HEADQUARTERS

AGRONOMY

Ag View FS Princeton (815) 875-2800 LaMoille (815) 638-2772 Walnut (815) 379-2123 Buda (309) 895-2811 Henry (309) 822-4763 Varna (309) 463-2043 Toulon (309) 286-2561

AUCTIONEERING

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VAESSEN BROTHERS CHEVROLET, INC. HIGHWAY 52 SUBLETTE, IL 61367 1-800-227-5203 1-815-849-5232 VAESSENBROTHERS.COM

McConville Realty & Auctioneering 612 Main St Mendota, IL (815) 539-5673 mcconvillerealty.com

AUTO SALES

CHIROPRACTOR

Marty Chiropractic 1310 N., IL-251 Lostant, IL 61334 (815) 368-3421 www.martychiropractic.net

CONSTRUCTION Blunier Builders 309-467-4847 blunierbuilders.com

DECKING

Maze Lumber 1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-1742 www.mazelumber.com

Vaessen Brothers Chevrolet 505 Pennsylvania Ave Sublette, IL 61367 Service: 877-880-6979 Sales: 877-737-7619 www.vaessenbrothers.com

EQUIPMENT

HCC Inc. 1501 1st Ave Mendota, IL 61342 www.hccincorporated.com

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800 W. Dakota St.

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4 Spring/Summer 2022 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

EQUIPMENT CONTINUED FARM DRAINAGE Martin Equipment 2901 May Rd Peru, IL 61354 (815) 224-4711 www.martinequipment.com

Vaessen Implement Repair 542 US-52 Sublette, IL 61367 815-849-9010 www.vaessenimplement.com

EQUIPMENT RENTAL Rental Pros 2 1150 38th St. Peru, IL 61354 (815) 2242800

FARM BUREAU

La Salle County Farm Bureau 4201 N. Columbus St. Ottawa, IL 61350 815-433-0371 www.lcfb.org

C&A Farm Drainage Lacon, IL 309-238-8627 309-238-8626

Lee Excavating & Tiling 29408 3450 East St. La Moille, IL 61330 (815) 910-5479 Lilja Tiling & Excavating 2000 Welland Rd. Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539. 3485

FARM MANAGEMENT Ray Farm Management Services 226 Prairie Ln. W Princeton, IL 61356 815-872-3276

100 W. Main St. • Sublette, IL 61367

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Ashton, Buda, Henry, LaMoille, Princeton, Toulon, Varna, Walnut, Walton

Energy Buda, Manlius, Princeton, Toulon, Varna, Walton

Technology Princeton

448 N 3973rd Road • Mendota www.mahoneyes.com

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Serving Bureau, Lee, Marshall, Putnam & Stark Counties 22069 US Hwy. 34 Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-2800 agviewfs.com

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Spring/Summer 2022 5

How agricultural technology can help improve sustainability Sustainable agriculture is an approach to farming that will allow modern farmers to meet the needs of a growing population while enhancing environmental quality. That can benefit both current and future generations, and technology will play a vital role in realizing the goals of sustainable agriculture.

According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, sustainable agriculture is designed to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs. That’s a worthy goal, especially in the face of a growing global population that the United Nations estimates will increase by two billion persons by 2050.

There are numerous benefits to utilizing sustainable agriculture technology, which can be

ogies to determine soil health and water needs and usage, which can Efficient benefit the land manland and agement ensure reModeling sources artechnologies en’t wasted. can be utiUtilization of lized to make such technolomore efficient use gies ensures farmof land. According ers can meet the needs to Sustainable Brands, a global community of brand of modern consumers without innovators, modeling tech- affecting future farmers’ abilnologies can be employed in ity to do the same. a host of ways, including to identify tillage practices and REDUCE RUNOFF The United States Envithe status of tile drainage. Certain agricultural technologies ronmental Protection Agency have been designed to predict notes that runoff poses a sigthe performance of cropland, nificant threat to the environwhich can allow farmers to ment. When runoff occurs, more effectively and efficiently fertilizer, bacteria and other use their land. Farmers also pollutants find their way into can employ modeling technol- streams, rivers, lakes, and the especially advantageous to modern farmers.

WE’RE GROWING PLACES

ocean. Sustainable Brands notes that nanotechnology is an efficient way to deliver nutrients to crops that can improve both the efficacy of the nutrients and reduce runoff.

PROTECT CROPS Sustainable Brands notes that agricultural biologicals are inputs derived from natural materials that have low toxicity. That low toxicity reduces their environmental impact.

Agricultural biologicals utilize the properties of such things as bacteria, fungi and even insects to support healthy crops, potentially improving yield without adversely affecting the environment.

Sustainable agriculture technologies can help modern farmers and their successors meet the needs of a rapidly growing global population.

AG223783

Vaessen Implement Repair, Inc. 542 US RT. 52N. • Sublette

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Our dedicated team is mobile. Meet us in our office or in yours.

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6 Spring/Summer 2022 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

walkermowers.com

FARMER’S ELEVATOR

Compeer Financial 2950 N Main St. Princeton, IL 61356 815- 872-0067 www.compeer.com

Sublette Farmers Elevator Co. 100 W Main St Sublette, IL 61367 815-849-5222 sublettefarmerselevator.com First State Bank Mendota 815-538-2265 McNabb 815-882-2146 FEED INGREDIENTS Peru 815-224-4484 Ridley Feed Ingredients Ottawa 815-433-3727 1609 1st Ave Princeton 815-872-0002 Mendota, IL 61342 LaMoille 815 638-2398 (815) 539-9321 www.firststatebank.biz

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Central Bank 1721 Midtown Rd Peru, IL 61354 815- 224-2213 317 S Main St Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-3333 www.central-bank.com

Heartland Bank Peru 815-223-7500 Spring Valley 815-664-2321 Oglesby 815-883-8473 Princeton 815-875-4444 Henry 309-364-3971 www.hbtbank.com Illini State Bank Oglesby 815-883-8400 Tonica 815-442-8211 Lostant 815-368-3333

Professional Land Specialists

Auctions | Land Brokerage | Farm Management Leslie H. “Chip” Johnston • IL Managing Broker 815.546.8276 • based out of Princeton IL

Right Product. Right Acre.

Right People.

Pioneer brand products, service, Pioneer Premium Seed Treatment and PROBulk® System

MJ Seed Agency Michael Michlig (815) 878-4430 SHEFFIELD, ILLINOIS

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MAZE LUMBER A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Spring/Summer 2022 7

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CONTINUED

Pioneer State Bank Earlville 815-246-8411 Sublette 815-849-5242 Paw Paw 815-627-2651 www.pioneerstatebank.com

FIREPLACES

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Here to Help You Grow

Maze Lumber 1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-1742 www.mazelumber.com

FOOD

McDonald’s Spring Valley, Mendota and Princeton www.mcdonalds.com Mike Wasmer

Gary Safranek

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Tyler Full

FUEL

Michlig Energy 105 1st St. Manlius, IL 61338 815-445-6921 www.michligenergy.com

INSURANCE

Dimond Bros.

1701 4th St., Suite 200, Peru 120 E. Dakota St., Spring Valley 245 Backbone Road East, Princeton 102 N. Main St., Ohio 10 E. Division St., Amboy First State Insurance 715 Washington St. Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539-5651 114 W Railroad St. Earlville, IL 60518 (815) 246-8261 385 Chicago Rd Paw Paw, IL 61353 (815) 627-8552 Peru Waltham Insurance 1724 Peoria St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-4414 www.perumutual.com

Water Softeners Drinking Water Systems Sales & Service Commercial & Residential 815-875-2506 leeswater.com 1790 N Euclid Ave Princeton ESTABLISHED 1974 SM-LA1953507

Contractor Tools & Equipment ·Utility Trailers

Party Rentals

·Tow Behind AirCompressor ·Tents

·Skidloaders

·Power Washers

·Tables

·Trenchers

·Cement Saws

·Chairs

·Mini Excavators

·Jackhammers

·Popcorn Machines

·Loader Tractors

·Floor Sanders

·Snow Cone Machines

·Garden Tillers

·Post Hole Diggers

·Cotton Candy Machines

·Sewer Machines

·Scaffolding

·Bounce Houses

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8 Spring/Summer 2022 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

INSURANCE CONTINUED REAL ESTATE State Farm – Cody BROKERS Burroughs 313 S Spalding St. Spring Valley, IL 61362 (815) 664-5302

Is Your Ag Line of Credit Costing YOU?

Capital Agricultural Property Services Timothy A. Harris, AFM Princeton, IL Cell: 815-875-7418

KITCHENS

Land Pro LLC 2681 US HWY 34 Oswego, Illinois 60543 331-999-3490

Maze Lumber 1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-1742 www.mazelumber.com

LAWNMOWER SALES & REPAIRS

Smith’s Sales and Service 1604 Peoria St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-0132

MACHINE SHOP

McHenry Machine Co. Inc. 1309 IL Highway 26 Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-1953

SEEDS

Channel Seed Lyle Eiten – (815) 341-1602 Tyler Thompson – (309) 945-7307

Let us evaluate your current rates to see if we can help you save.

Contact Dan or Alan at Illini State Bank today!

Member

FDIC

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McConville Realty & Auctioneering Farmland, Commercial & Residential

MJ Seeds, Inc. 8927 1925 North Avenue Sheffield, Illinois 61361 815-878-4430 Office 815/539-5673 Cell 815/910-5673 mcconvillerealty.com

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HARVEST

612 S. Main Street Mendota, IL 61342 mcrlty62@gmail.com

WE HAVE YOUR BACK! You need a farm insurance agent that knows the area and

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Spring/Summer 2022 9

The challenges climate change poses to agriculture Climate change poses an array of challenges. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that the impacts of climate change on various sectors of society are interrelated, a connection that mirrors the ripple effects of the COVID19 pandemic. The human health crisis that arose during the pandemic affected all aspects of life, as illnesses limited worker productivity, thus affecting the global supply chain, including the availability of food.

Scientists warn that a similar scenario could play out as a result of climate change. The agricultural sector could face considerable challenges in the years to come. The Fourth National Climate Assessment is a government-mandated report that must be delivered to the United States Congress once every four years. Among the many aims of the report are to provide an analysis of the effects of global changes on the natural environment and

agriculture. The report also must project major trends for the next 25 to 100 years. The most recent report, delivered in 2018, noted that changing precipitation patterns could intensify in the coming years, leading to more intense periods of heavy rain and longer dry periods.

Those shifting patterns and other changes could lead to an increase in conditions and weather events that pose unique challenges to the agricultural sector.

• Flooding: The Union of Concerned Scientists notes that many agricultural regions of the United States have already experienced increased flooding. The effects of flooding on the agricultural sector are often devastating and include accelerated soil erosion, water pollution and damage to infrastructure that challenges farmers’ ability to get food from their farms to stores and, ultimately, consumers’ dinner tables.

• Drought: The National Integrated Drought Information

COMMITTED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AMERICA.

System reports that the primary direct economic impact of drought in the agricultural sector is crop failure and pasture losses. The Government of Canada notes that areas of western Canada are already experiencing frequent and severe droughts, and scientists expect other areas of the country to be affected by drought more often in the years to come. The same goes for the United States, which the UCS notes has already dealt with severe drought in California, the Great Plains and the midwest. Depleted water supplies are a byproduct of drought, and such depletion can take a toll on crops and livestock.

F

• Economics: The effects of climate change on crops and livestock may force farmers to change the nature of their farms. The UCS notes that farmers may be forced to choose crop varieties and animal breeds that are suited to the new conditions sparked by climate change. Going in a new direction could force farmers to make potentially costly investments in machinery and other changes as they make the transition.

Climate change will pose unique challenges to the agricultural sector that could force farmers to make some difficult decisions in the years ahead. AG223785

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10 Spring/Summer 2022 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

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TECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE

WATER SYSTEMS

TRUCK REPAIR

Prairie State Water Systems 3281 E 28th Rd. Marseilles, IL 61341 Phone: 815- 357-8300 48W557 Rt. 64 Maple Park, IL 60151 Phone: 630-365-4242

Nutrien Ag Solutions 28411 1600 East St. Walnut, IL 61376 (815) 379-9295

Untz Truck Repair 3460 Brennen Dr. Peru, IL 61354 (815) 224-2675 www.untztruck.com

TRUCKS

Schoff Farm Services 13181 2400 N Ave. Walnut, IL 61376 815-379-2777 K.H. Schrowang Trucking Mark, IL 815-339-2906

Lee’s Water Systems 1790 N. Euclid Ave. Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-2506 www.leeswater.com

Over 135 years of farming innovation

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WINDOWS

Maze Lumber 1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-1742 www.mazelumber.com

WORK BOOTS

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Spring/Summer 2022 11

Consumers, media and farmers discuss sustainability, transparency and giving farmers a voice (BPT) - On a hot and humid evening in July, two farmers finished up their long day in the field, five national media journalists took a break from impending deadlines and two dietitians wrapped up their daily meetings with clients and logged into a video conference to participate in the third Dinner is Grown event hosted by BASF Agricultural Solutions.

Paul Rea, senior vice president for BASF Agricultural Solutions North America, opened the virtual event live from the company’s new Sustainability Center. He welcomed the diverse audience to participate in a conversation about sustainability in agriculture and how food gets from the farm to America’s dinner plates. What seemed to be a straightforward and

Mayer grew up on his family simple conversation on the surface was rather complex farm. He said he stumbled into regenerative agriculture after and enlightening. realizing there must be a bet“The purpose of Dinner ter, more efficient way to farm. is Grown is about bringing “We began to track our trips people together - farmers and members of the media - to and our fertilizer, and we aclearn from one another and tually created the carbon footbridge the gap from the farm print of our farm. So, we knew to the table,” said Rea. “We exactly how much carbon we know consumers still have were sequestering and on ava lot of questions around ag- erage on our 160-acre farm, riculture and this event pro- we were removing the equivvides a platform to have those alent of 62 cars off the road.” conversations.”

“We’re not making more The topic of carbon kicked farmland, so we’re going to off the evening, and farmers have to do well with what we Matt Mayer from Northeast have,” added Mayer.

Iowa and Rob Fleming of Fleming agreed. “Our soil North Carolina shared their thoughts and fielded questions is our number one asset. It’s on everything from strip tilling something that we must keep healthy. My job is to leave the to nitrogen fixers. land better than when I got it

Lawn Care...

40 years ago.”

After nearly an hour of engaging conversation, the question remained, are we adequately communicating with consumers about what farmers do to produce safe and reliable food?

Melissa Joy Dobbins, a dietitian, provided insight from her clients.

“I don’t think people are skeptical or distrusting of farming. I think they don’t know what they don’t know, and the more we talk about these new and exciting things going on at the farm, no till, strip till, carbon sequestration, that these terms become more common, and that people realize the science and business that goes into farm-

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12 Spring/Summer 2022 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

This led to head nods from ing. We need to get people closer to the farm. There’s everyone and for Fleming, an acknowledgment that farmers still a huge disconnect.” cannot do it alone.

“The persona of the farmer “When you farm, you wear needs to change,” said Cara Harbstreet, a dietitian from a lot of hats: You’re a scientist, Kansas City. “It’s not about a meteorologist, a businessfacts and figures, but about man and a marketer. We need to do a better job of making storytelling.” the connection - for the con“I think there has been this sumer - from the crop to the attitude of paternalism that table and why it’s meaningful experts or the industry knows to them.” best, we’ll release some of this “U.S. farmers are full of information or make it available or offer transparency on pride,” said Fleming. “We don’t our terms. Younger audiences just want to take care of our aren’t settling for that any- families; we want to take care of you. We have a story to tell more,” added Harbstreet. and one that should resonate Padma Commuri, director, with consumers, but we need a Research & Development for vehicle to share that story.”

BASF Agricultural Solutions Participating journalists North America, agreed. included: Laura Reiley, The “Companies like us, we are Washington Post; Kirk Malproducing food at farm level, tais, The Wall Street Journal; but we don’t translate the value Tatyanna Monnay, Politico; of what we are producing at Pam Smith, The Progressive the table level. So, I think we Farmer; Rachel Stearns, Eatneed to bridge that farm-to- ing Well; Cara Harbstreet, table connection of the crops dietitian and Melissa Joy Dobthat we are producing and how bins, dietitian. that translates to a meaningful value to the consumer.”

ELIMINATE BLENDING CONTAMINATION Multiple bin spreading eliminates blending contamination that can ruin crops. Spreading multiple products in one pass reduces man hours, field compaction and fuel consumption by reducing trips across the field. All these benefits add up to a higher rate of return on your investment.

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Spring/Summer 2022 13

What is a smart greenhouse?

Now Machine Installing Dual Wall Tile

Lilja Tiling & Excavating, LLC 2000 Welland Rd., Mendota, IL 61342 Office: 815.539. 3485 • Email: liljatilingllc@gmail.com

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the crop and cultivar. This alleviates the guessing game on the part of growers and leads to higher yields. Smart greenhouses typically utilize multiple wireless sensors to measure everything from carbon dioxide output to lighting and transmit the information back to a computer. The data is calculated and adjustments to multiple pieces of equipment can be made through the wireless network all from one computer, unlike older systems that required wires and maybe even multiple computers. Smart greenhouses can control additional critical factors, including temperature and ventilation. Overall, an investment in smart technology could save farmers money in the long run. AG223793

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14 Spring/Summer 2022 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

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Walnut

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Greenhouses are structures that can help hobbyists or professional farmers extend growing seasons and improve yields. Even though traditional greenhouses can improve conditions for growth, certain variables can still affect output. That’s where smart greenhouses come into play.

Farming requires reliance on intuition, but also on control of environmental factors like insects, irrigation and light.

Smart greenhouses help make conditions more predictable and growing more efficient.

The machinery manufacturer Yanmar notes that its Smart Greenhouses enable users to automatically control cultivation methods by customizing temperature, humidity and water levels depending on

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The Ribbon is always the sign of a winner.

Specializing in Residential and Commercial Free Estimates e Emergency Service

Douglas D. Ray, AFM

Accredited Farm Manager/Managing Real Estate Broker

SM-LA1956308

Overhead Door Company of the Illinois Valley

617 Shooting Park Rd. • Peru

815-223-8471 1

815-872-FARM (3276) P.O. Box 39 • 226 Prairie Ln. W. • Princeton, IL 61356 www.rayfarm1.com • Email: rayfarm1@comcast.net

Schoff

FARM SERVICE, INC.

Walnut, IL 815-379-2777 • sfsfuel@yahoo.com SM-LA1953512

From now through March 31, order through the Martin Equipment Customer Portal with Coupon Code Filters322 to save 15%* on high-quality filters to help protect your equipment. *See the Customer Portal for program details.

Serving all your transportation needs

1609 1ST AVE., MENDOTA RIDLEYFEEDINGREDIENTS.COM SM-LA1952554

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Spring/Summer 2022 15

C&A FARM DRAINAGE GPS Integrated - Plow & Trencher - Tile Installation Maintenance - Discounted Pattern Tiling Prices

Customer satisfaction is our goal!

Quality Work - 15 yrs. experience - Dedication

SM-LA1951606

Colton Poignant: (309) 238-8627 Aaron Poignant: (309) 238-8626 Let us help your farm reach its potential!

16 Spring/Summer 2022 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication