NewsTribune_Farm Directory_090821

Illinois Valley

FARM DIRECTORY Fall/Winter 2021

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

est. 1851

Contents

Farm Directory

426 Second Street La Salle, Illinois 61301

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

5

Common sustainable agriculture practices

8

The role of technology in agriculture

Publisher Dan Goetz Advertising Director Jeanette Smith

jmsmith@shawmedia.com

12

Tips for safer farming

14

How farmers are using drones

15

What is sustainable agriculture?

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

Published by: est. 1851

2 Fall/Winter 2021 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

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 McConville Realty & Auctioneering 612 Main St Mendota, IL (815) 539-5673 mcconvillerealty.com AUTO SALES Vaessen Brothers Chevrolet 505 Pennsylvania Ave Sublette, IL 61367 Service: 877-880-6979 Sales: 877-737-7619 www.vaessenbrothers.com

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

CONSTRUCTION Blunier Builders 309-467-4847 blunierbuilders.com DECKING Maze Lumber 1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-1742 www.mazelumber.com EQUIPMENT HCC Inc. 1501 1st Ave Mendota, IL 61342 www.hccincorporated.com Vaessen Implement Repair 542 US-52 Sublette, IL 61367 815-849-9010 www.vaessenimplement.com

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

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Fall/Winter 2021 3

FINANCIAL 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

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Compeer Financial 2950 N Main St. Princeton, IL 61356 815- 872-0067 www.compeer.com COUNTRY Financial 535 Elm Place Princeton, Illinois 61356 (815) 221-3075 Financial Plus Credit Union 1905 13th Ave. Mendota, IL 61342 815-539-3444 2813 Plaza Drive Peru, IL 61354 815-223-6602 www.financialplus.org

First State Bank Mendota 815-538-2265 McNabb 815-882-2146 Peru 815-224-4484 Ottawa 815-433-3727 Princeton 815-872-0002 LaMoille 815 638-2398 www.firststatebank.biz Illini State Bank Oglesby 815-883-8400 Tonica 815-442-8211 Lostant 815-368-3333 Peoples National Bank of Kewanee Seneca Banking Center 395 S. Main St. Seneca, IL 61360 (815) 357-1070 Dwight Banking Center 122 W. Main St. Dwight, IL 60420 (815) 584-1212 pnb-kewanee.com

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firststatebank.biz | 800.362.9623 4 Fall/Winter 2021 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

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Common sustainable agriculture practices The concept of sustainability varies by industry. Within the agricultural industry, sustainability is a multifaceted concept that has become increasingly popular in recent decades.

According to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, sustainable agriculture seeks to increase profitable farm income, promote environmental stewardship, enhance quality of life for farm families and communities, and increase production for human food and fiber needs. In an attempt to reach those goals, farmers who embrace sustainable agriculture may look to various practices.

• Cover crops: The Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit organization that aims to employ independent science to address the planet’s most pressing problems, notes that cover crops are planted during the offseason when soils have traditionally been left bare. Cover crops can help prevent soil erosion and replenish the nutrients in the soil. Cover crops also can limit weed growth, reducing the need for herbicides that can prove harmful to the environment.

• Reduce or eliminate tillage: According to the UCS, traditional plowing, or tillage, can cause a significant amount of soil loss, even as it prepares fields for planting and

reduces the likelihood of weed problems.

Eliminating or reducing tillage involves inserting seeds directly into undisturbed soil, which can reduce erosion and improve the health of the soil.

• Integrated pest management: Integrated pest management techniques aim to minimize the use of chemical pesticides that can prove harmful to the environment and local wildlife. According to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, IPM strategies like habitat manipulation and the planting of disease-resistant plants are designed to promote longterm prevention of pests and the damage such pests can cause.

• Agroforestry: The Association for Temperate Agroforestry defines agroforestry as an intensive land management system that incorporates trees and/or shrubs to optimize the benefits they provide when deliberately combined with crops and/or livestock. The shade and shelter provided by trees and shrubs can protect plants, animals and water resources.

• Crop/livestock integration: The UCS notes that there is growing evidence to suggest that the careful integration of crop and animal production can help farmers make their farms more efficient and profitable.

Sustainable agriculture is a complex concept that can benefit farmers, their local communities and the environment in myriad ways. TF211643

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Fall/Winter 2021 5

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6 Fall/Winter 2021 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Fall/Winter 2021 7

The role of technology in agriculture odern industry is driven by technology. Advancements M in technology have changed how business is conducted, with some industries undergoing dramatic changes since the dawn of the 21st century.

While agriculture might not be the first industry people think of when reflecting on the changing nature of industry, The National Institute of Food and Agriculture notes that modern farms are vastly different than those from a few decades ago.

Farmers have long relied on technology to make their operations as efficient, productive and profitable as possible. Precision agriculture, which refers to technological advances designed to propel agriculture into the modern, computerized and information-based world, is helping

the agricultural sector become more profitable and efficient while also improving safety and making agriculture more eco-friendly. In addition, the NIFA notes that the modern agricultural industry employs technology such as robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and global positioning systems.

If it sounds complicated, that’s because it is. For example, modern sensors can detect soil conditions, potentially producing hundreds of readings per second. These sensors help farmers know the best possible time to plant seeds so they can reach their full potential. That improves both the efficiency of modern farms as well as their output.

The NIFA also notes that agricultural technology has reduced waste. For instance,

8 Fall/Winter 2021 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

thanks to agricultural technology, farmers no longer have to apply water, fertilizers and pesticides uniformly across entire fields. Technology has shown that farmers can simply target specific areas or even treat individual plants differently. That saves time and allows farmers to use only minimal quantities of water, fertilizer and pesticides. In addition, according to the NIFA, employing agricultural technology in this fashion leads to higher crop productivity and reduces runoff of chemicals into rivers and groundwater, thereby reducing the farm’s impact on local ecosystems.

Modern farms are technological marvels where various technologies are being employed to produce crops more efficiently and safely than ever before. TF203778

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Fall/Winter 2021 9

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Fall/Winter 2021 11

Tips for safer farming Tractor accidents, grain entrapment and injuries from ornery livestock are just some of the dangers agricultural workers face every day. In fact, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States.

In 2016, the agricultural industry had a rate of 21.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, and each day agricultural workers experienced 100 non-fatal, lost-worktime injuries.

Agricultural dangers are not limited to North America. In Ireland, farm accidents have increased by 13 percent in the last five years and by 31 percent in the last decade, according to a national survey of farm accidents conducted by the Teagasc National Farm Survey.

Furthermore, 97 percent of all farm accident victims required medical treatment.

Farms are dangerous places, and while carelessness can and does contribute to many incidents, accidents also take place during routine, seemingly safe activities. These farm safety guidelines can help lower the risk of injuries.

Know farm equipment. Read and follow all instructions in the equipment operation manuals. In addition, attend local farm safety workshops to learn more about specific equipment and products.

Conduct routine safety checks. Look around buildings and grounds for obvious hazards, such as fire hazards and hazardous materials, including farm chemicals that are not stored correctly.

Practice cleanliness. Maintain clean and neat work areas with tools stored properly and out of the way after use.

Be mindful of your clothing and hair. Many accidents

involve a power take-off system, or PTO, which is a common component of large rotary mowers, tractors and forage choppers. Clothing can easily get caught in an engaged but unguarded PTO stub. It’s easy for laces or coveralls to become wrapped around a spinning stub shaft.

The PTO driveline and other protrusion points also can be dangerous if people do not pay attention.

Use rollover protection structures. ROPS can be used on tractors and other equipment to prevent injuries. In addition, wear seat belts and employ other safety equipment as advised.

Avoid extra passengers. It can be tempting to take the kids for a spin, but do not allow additional passengers to ride on agricultural equipment.

Exercise caution when handling chemicals. Take extra pre-

cautions when handling any chemicals, including pesticides.

Wear protective gear. Wear appropriate gear and equipment as outlined by NIOSH or the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Make sure the skin, feet, ears, eyes, and hands are protected at all times.

Employ lock out/tag out control. This is a process where one can work on equipment only after every energy source has been controlled, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electrical, according to Rural Mutual Insurance Company. Turning off equipment and using certain controls or locks on devices can prevent equipment from restarting before it is safe to do so.

Farm safety should be a priority for owners, their families and employees so that agricultural injuries can be reduced.

TF209321

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12 Fall/Winter 2021 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Fall/Winter 2021 13

How farmers are using drones he farmers of yesteryear might not be too familiar T with their surroundings if

for decades. Sometimes referred to as “unmanned aerial vehicles,” or “UAVs,” drones can be utilized in ways that they were to visit a modern can save farmers money and farm. While the men and protect the planet. women who made their livMonitor crops: According ings as farmers decades ago to senseFly, the commercial would no doubt still recogdrone subsidiary of Parrot nize certain farm features Group, drones can help farmthat have withstood the test of time, they might not under- ers effectively monitor their crops. With a drone flying stand the inner workings of the modern farm, particularly overhead, farmers can spot and quickly identify issues in regard to the role techaffecting their crops before nology now plays within the those issues escalate into agricultural sector. something larger.

Technology has changed Soil analysis: Another poagriculture in myriad ways.

The methods farmers employ tential benefit of agricultural to produce food and improve drones highlights their role in analyzing soil. Agricultural the efficiency of their operdrones utilize complex mapations has changed as techping functions to gather data nology has evolved. One of about the soil, including areas the more noticeable changes that’s hard to miss on modern where it might be stressed.

That enables farmers to defarms is the use of agriculvelop accurate soil samples tural drones. that can be used to guide deDrones have been around

14 Fall/Winter 2021 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication

cisions in regard to irrigation and fertilization.

Reduce waste: SenseFly notes that data gathered by drones can help farmers determine the vigor of their crops at various stages of growth. Such information can prevent overfertilization and overwatering, thereby reducing waste and runoff, benefitting the planet as a result.

Planning: Drones can be used to collect data on crop growth and health at various times throughout the growing season. That can help farmers develop accurate predictions regarding harvest quality and crop yield, making it easier for them to plan ahead.

Agricultural drones are one of the many examples that illustrate how technology has changed and will continue to change the ways modern farmers conduct business.

TF203780

What is sustainable agriculture?

Many transitions have taken place in the agricultural industry over the last several decades. The widespread adoption of various technologies over the last 20-plus years has helped farmers streamline their operations, making their farms more efficient and less wasteful as a result. In addition, many farmers have embraced sustainable farming, which is a relatively recent approach to agriculture. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, sustainable agriculture is a complex, multi-faceted concept. Sustainable agriculture intends to contribute to a robust economy by making farms profitable. Farmers who embrace sustainable agriculture also aim to have a positive effect on the environment and their surrounding ecosystems.

That’s accomplished by embracing strategies that focus on building and maintaining healthy soil, managing water wisely, minimizing pollution, and promoting biodiversity.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture notes that sustainable agriculture encompasses a wide range of production practices, including some associated with conventional farming and some linked to organic farming. As a result, sustainable farming should not be mistaken for organic farming, or vice versa. However, the UCS notes there’s a strong likelihood that certified organic produce at local grocery stores are byproducts of farms that embrace sustainable agriculture. TF211642

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | Fall/Winter 2021 15

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­ 1220-508HC_-8/19/2021

16 Fall/Winter 2021 | Illinois Valley Farm Directory | A NewsTribune Publication