AG Mag Northern Illinois
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PUBLICATION • SPRING 2020
ALSO INSIDE PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE: With a soggy year behind them — and another one in the forecast — farmers are trying to reduce their risk Local farm family has DEEP ROOTS A GRAIN OF TRUCE: Movement in tariff standoff has farmers trading uncertainty for a brighter outlook Neighbors lend some HELPING farm HANDS after a family’s tragic loss AND MORE ...
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Index
AG Mag Northern Illinois
INDEX CONTINUED ON PAGES 4 & 6
Spring 2020
PUBLICATION
Page Design Rusty Schrader Reporters & Photographers Martha Blum, Cody Cutter, Pam Eggemeier, Phil Hartman, Jeff Helfrich, Earleen Hinton, Michael Krabbenhoeft, Ben Orner, Alex Paschal & Rachel Rodgers Cover illustration Alex T. Paschal Published by Sauk Valley Media 113 S. Peoria Ave. | Dixon, IL 61081 815-284-2224 Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of the Northern Illinois Ag Mag may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, Sauk Valley Media cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sauk Valley Media 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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2 Spring 2020
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Magazine Editors Kathleen Schultz & Rusty Schrader
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Advertising Director, General Manager Jennifer Heintzelman
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Publisher Don T. Bricker
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COVERSTORY
KINDRED SPIRITS
A local family is making a splash in the increasingly popular farm-toglass movement, and they’re doing it with homegrown grains at the largest craft distillery in the state
PAGE 16
AG Mag
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Index
INDEX CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 – CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE With one of the wettest years in the state’s history still fresh in their minds – and another soggy year in the forecast – Illinois farmers are looking at ways to reduce the risk this year.
PAGE 8
A GRAIN OF TRUCE
Movement in the tariff standoff with China and a revamped deal between the U.S., Mexico and Canada has farmers trading uncertainty for a brighter outlook
PAGE 23
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AG Mag
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Index
INDEX CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
DEEP ROOTS
In 1820, America grew to 23 states, James Monroe was re-elected president, and an immigrant from British Canada started a farm in Carroll County that’s still in the family today
PAGE 26
HELPING FARM HANDS
When a local farmer lost his brother, he found hope amid the heartache: neighbors who came to help harvest the crop he and his brother planted
SOW COLD
Jack Frost may nip at your nose, but he can help take care of your fields, too
PAGE 33
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AG Mag
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e v i t a t n e Prev e n i c i d e m With one of the wettest years in the state’s history still fresh in their minds — and another soggy year in the forecast — Illinois farmers are looking at ways to reduce the risk this year: trying out new crops, like hemp; leaning on heartier hybrids; turning to equipment to keep from getting that sinking feeling; or simply making sure they get their crops in the ground as quickly as they can. Whatever their choice, they hope to reap the benefits of planning ahead
STORY PAM EGGEMEIER FOR NORTHERN ILLINOIS AG MAG
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armers have barely had time to catch their breath from a year of record-setting wet weather that delayed planting and harvests, causing many to take a loss on cash crops, but it’s time to plan for a new planting season. The first half of 2019 was the wettest in Illinois history, pushing back the timeline on planting the state’s most important crops - corn and soybeans. Harvest season dragged into the new year in some areas and now the toll it took can be quantified. CONTINUED ON PAGE 104
8 Spring 2020
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A CLOSER LOOK | WEATHER
3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 Corn production was down 18 percent, and soybeans were down 20 percent, according to the final yield data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To make matters worse, as farmers start to plan for planting, the prognosticators are advising they prepare for another wet spring (see “Rain or Shine? Rain” at right for a closer look at the forecast). Rainfall estimates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are calling for more rain than usual from April through June, the period in which most of the corn and soybean planting is done. Some farmers are tuned in and considering different approaches that could help protect crops against more wet conditions. One option is to put in alternative crops to help mitigate risk. Ryan Appelquist grows corn and soybeans on 3,000 acres between Nachusa and Franklin Grove. Last year he grew hemp for CBD oil, and this year he plans to bring hemp seed into the mix. “Hemp is just a shorter-season crop,” Appelquist said. “We’re trying to diversify with crops that allow us to get in and out earlier, and we didn’t need any new equipment to produce it.” Appelquist managed to get all of his acreage planted during last year’s weather nightmare, but he learned some hard lessons along the way, especially with corn. “Once June 1 hits, you just have to be done with corn,” Appelquist said. “Anything done after was so wet it cost us more than if we’d taken prevented plant.”
Rain or shine? Rain
The forecast: Wet – and the state’s climatologist says farmers should get used to it
By BEN ORNER, Capitol News Illinois borner@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The state’s climatologist is predicting Illinois farmers are likely to endure more burdensomely wet weather while they try to plant cash crops this spring after suffering major losses as a result of a record-wet planting season last year. April through June is likely to be wetter than normal in Illinois, according to rainfall projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, posing a challenge to corn and soybean farmers in the heart of planting season. Right now those farmers are calculating their losses after suffering through the wettest January to June in state history last year. Wettest of those months was May, which pushed planting of Illinois’ top two crops into June and July, when in an ideal year they’re in the ground in April. The result: Corn and soybean production dropped 18% and 20%, respectively, according to final yield numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CONTINUED ON PAGE 124
CONTINUED ON PAGE 124
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AG Mag
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A CLOSER LOOK | WEATHER
3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Prevented planting is a provision in crop insurance that will cover part of the loss from natural causes that keep farmers from the same area from planting by a certain date. While government aid programs and insurance took some of the sting off a tough year, farmers are still staring at input costs for the next season regardless of how much they end up raising. This year many farmers say they will be more decisive about when to plant. “If the ground is fit enough, get it in,” Appelquist said. “I kept thinking the weather would get better and it never did.” Appelquist also decided to go with earlier corn hybrids so he can get the combine in the fields sooner. Farmers can start booking seed orders in November. Better prices are usually available to those who order early. This is the time of year when farmers are focused on equipment maintenance and the wet crops took a toll on combines. Appelquist has made good use of no-till and cover crops. They lock moisture in the ground and help keep erosion in check. While he is willing to make concessions to Mother Nature, Appelquist doesn’t want to stray too far from his tried-andtrue practices. An Illinois crop specialist agrees that resisting the urge to completely overhaul planting plans is wise. Corn and soybeans are the cash crops and farmers should use caution when considering diversification. “I’ve been hearing about alternative crops for 40 years, but we’ll always go where the demand is - people want corn and soybeans,” said Emerson Nafziger, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois. “Your memory needs to be longer than 1 year when you’re thinking about spending more money.”
3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 “Farmers should expect to deal with an increased frequency of wet winters and springs,” said Illinois’ State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford, who expects wetter-thannormal conditions to become routine. Ford said all but far northwest Illinois has had above-average January precipitation with half the month still to go. NOAA also projects a wetter-than-average February and March. “The last couple of decades especially we’ve seen our winters be wetter than previous decades,” Ford said. “That doesn’t mean more snow necessarily, it just means overall more precipitation.” For example, he said 20 of the past 25 winters in Peoria have been wetter than the city’s 120-plus-year average. “Preparing for wetter-than-normal conditions to be more common or happen more frequently is something that farmers should be doing in Illinois,” Ford said.
Harm to the farm
Continuous wet planting seasons present a challenge to farmers, as late planting pushes back their entire farm timeline. Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, grows 1,600 acres of corn and soybeans on his farm east of St. Louis. “Our planters started rolling on June 8, and it was not pretty,” he said. Delayed planting causes delayed harvest, which can lower end-of-year yields like farmers saw in 2019. Late harvests also leave farmers less time for tilling fields before it gets too cold, which breaks up compacted soil and deep field ruts that can hold too much water. Unfortunately for Meier, a lot of his tillage this fall “just did not happen.” “Those factors will all go into next year’s crop,” he said. Now in winter, Meier and other Illinois farmers are focused on getting tractors and equipment ready for planting season and hope they can better prepare their fields in the spring. PHOTO ON PAGE 13, STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 144
PHOTO ON PAGE 13, STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 144
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AG Mag
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A CLOSER LOOK | WEATHER
3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Nafziger stresses that the production was still decent given the weather challenges. The state average yield for corn was 181 bushels per acres – only 10 bushels below the trend line. As for the forecasts for more wet weather, Nafziger isn’t overly concerned yet because at this point they are only educated guesses. History also tells us that advances in seed science can make up for a lot of weather problems. “With the current hybrids available, loss in yield is less than it used to be,” Nafziger said. “Maybe the biggest lesson from last year is that we don’t have to give up on crops as early as we used to.” Nafziger stressed that he doesn’t want to paint an overly rosy picture for the upcoming growing season. There are some things he would make a priority and consider tweaking. Planting as quickly as possible is key, and that means getting corn in before May. Second plantings in June probably aren’t a good idea. Last year’s wet spring and fall should be factored into this year’s plans for Northwest Illinois farmers, Nafziger said. “Not much tillage was done, and pricewise, corn might be favored in that area,” he said. “There is little nitrogen on the land, so that needs to be done in a timely fashion in the spring. If it’s a month late, there will be loss of yield.” Going to earlier-maturing hybrids should also yield well and produce drier crops at harvest time. “Seed companies are moving to produce earlier-maturing crops and I believe the 105 to 108 hybrids will be in demand this year,” Nafziger said. As farmers do equipment maintenance, some are looking at changing it up a bit to better deal with the wet conditions. But after a long stretch of low commodities prices, the risk-reward of new purchases must be carefully weighed.
3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 “Any sort of pre-planting or field preparation,” Ford said, however, “that gets delayed if we have a wetter-than-normal March or early April.”
Climate connection
Scientists point to climate change, also referred to as global warming, as a main contributor to increased rainfall. As humans emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, the gases become trapped in the atmosphere. The more carbon in the atmosphere, the more moisture it can hold, increasing precipitation. “The connections there are pretty strong,” Ford said of wetter planting seasons and climate change. “In wet regions such as this, there’s abundant water supply at the surface,” he explained. “So as the atmosphere can take in more water, it does.” Scientists also expect heavy downpours to increase. “If we get a large amount of precipitation in one single event, what that can do is inundate the soil very quickly and then cause a lot of runoff and flooding,” Ford said.
Impact on the bottom line
Decreases in crop production not only hurt farmers, but trickle down into other industries like corn elevators and trucking companies, said Mike Doherty, a senior economist at the Illinois Farm Bureau. “Most of our ag businesses off the farm, which are a big part of the downstate ag economy, they all have lower revenues as well,” Doherty said. A soggy spring could also spell danger for Illinois farmers vulnerable to further crop losses, he said. “You have costs no matter how much of a crop you raise,” Meier said, including rent, equipment and supplies. Government aid and insurance payments helped lessen the impact of low crop production last year, but they do not fix the problem. CONTINUED ON PAGE 154
CONTINUED ON PAGE 154
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 “I’ve been thinking about increasing the size of my planters to get in and out quicker, but these are tight times,” said Larry Hummel, a Lee County corn and soybean producer. “This has been a long down cycle and the good years have been few and far between.” Holland & Sons in Dixon has seen quite a few farmers who are interested in new equipment. Much of that interest is driven by a desire to better navigate wet-weather conditions. “A few guys are buying new highspeed planters so they can get more done quicker,” said Mike Cain, service manager at Holland & Sons. Tract machines are another popular
item for soggy fields. “If it’s wet, it’s better than a wheel tractor because it floats over softer soil better, but they’re a pretty big investment,” Cain said. Many farmers are already looking at higher costs for fixing what they already own, thanks to the difficult conditions they performed in last year. “We’re working on tractors and combines now and last year’s weather was really hard on equipment, so the repair bills can definitely be higher this time around,” Cain said. Because of the ongoing trade war with China, the Trump administration has authorized a total of $28 billion in aid for farmers who were subjected to unfair trade practices. n
Some farmers who don’t want to get bogged down in fields saturated in rain are turning to track tractor. Trading treads for tracks helps the machines maneuver better in soft soil. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
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A CLOSER LOOK | WEATHER 3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 “There is a legitimate concern here,” Doherty said, as to the ability of some farmers to make debt payments on capital investments like machinery and land improvements. “That percentage of farmers is going to be a higher percentage than it was last year at this time,” he said. “We are poorly poised to deal with that.”
Adapting to a wetter future
“There are strategies that can be taken to adapt to a wetter spring,” Ford said, including soil conservation, field treatments and improving drainage. Meier said farmers may adapt by planting earlier, managing fields differently or using strains of crops that respond better to wet fields. “You learn to start planning,” he said, adding that proactiveness helped him through periods of drought in the 1980s. Constantly adapting to worsening weather conditions, though, might not work in the long term, especially since crop production is what brings in a farm’s income. “Agriculture, especially here in the middle of the Grain Belt, is a volume business,” Doherty said. “You cannot make money off bushels you don’t grow or that you don’t have.” Being at the mercy of Mother Nature, he said, will always be part of the job. “This is the nature of farming. You can’t control the weather.” n
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Clockwise from top: Kennay Farms Distilling owners Doris and Rick Kennay; their daughter, Aubrey Quinn, who handles marketing and logistics and oversees daily operations at the farm and the distillery; nephew and head distiller Adam Kennay; and their son, Kaleb, the production manager at the family farm. 16 Spring 2020
The large tap room at Kennay Farms Distilling overlooks the distilling and brewing plant.
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hen a Franklin Grove farmer saw a former theater sitting empty in downtown Rochelle a few years back, he didn’t see a glass half empty, he saw one half full. And it was full of homemade spirits. The building presented the perfect opportunity to diversify his family farm operation and turn a former hub of downLINOI L I S N A ER town activity into the largest craft distillery in Illinois. Before that, growing and selling crops had been a way of life for Rick Kennay. The sixth-generation grower and his wife, Doris, ran the family farm with fields in Ashton and Rochelle, growing corn, feed corn, and soyCOVERSTORY beans as well as running a hog operation. But he was looking for other ways to empower and secure a future for his family. The answer? Opening a distillery and making spirits with crops from the family farm. Today, he and Doris are just two of the Kennays behind Kennay Farms Distilling in downtown Rochelle. CONTINUED ON PAGE 194
AG Mag
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 It’s all uncharted territory for Rick, running a distillery and dealing with distributors, marketing and sales. “It’s like drinking from a fire hose,” he said. But he’s learning, and so is his family. The couple decided to get into the distillery business when their children, Kaleb Kennay and Aubrey Quinn, and their nephew, Adam Kennay, returned to the farm. Rick and Doris own the business. Aubrey handles marketing and logistics and oversees daily operations at the farm and the distillery. Kaleb is the day-to-day production manager at the farm. Adam is the distiller. “It’s all done by a member of the family,” Aubrey said. “My brother plants it and harvests it then takes it to the farm and we mill it there. Then we transport it to the distillery and my cousin distills it.” The distillery is located in the former Hub Theater, a first-run movie house in downtown Rochelle that opened in 1931 and closed 80 years later. The family bought the historic theater in 2016 and undertook a massive 2 1/2 year renovation before opening in March 2019. The distillery makes vodka, gin, and beers, including ales, lagers, stouts, IPAs, as well as premium and seasonal beers. Bourbon and whiskey are on their way – when the time is right. Right now, the spirits are aging in the Rick House just west of the distillery and it’ll be a few more years before they’re ready. Quinn said the family is working on additional products for the future. Even though it would be “much cheaper” to order grain in bulk and have it shipped in, Quinn said the family’s homemade spirits set Kennay apart from other distilleries. PHOTOS ON P. 20, STORY CONT’D ON 214
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Before it was a distillery, the building that Kennay calls home was a first-run movie theater from 1931 to 2011. Today, the distillery retains much of the theater’s classic design, including bringing back a balcony area above the entrance.
ABOVE: The conference room at Kennay can be used for parties or business gatherings. BELOW: While the distillery is spacious enough to host large groups, the Kennays have managed to carve out smaller, intimate areas where small groups can relax, sit by the fire, and enjoy a cocktail.
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 “It’s been really well received in the area,” she said. “Craft distilleries are really a popular thing right now and people enjoy learning where their food and spirits come from. Obviously, people like the farm-to-table movement, and there’s nothing more local than our own corn right there on the farm 10 miles away from the distillery.” “As long as you run it through your still, it’s legally yours to put your name on it,” Quinn said. “We certainly don’t do it the cheapest or most efficient route, but certainly it’s a much better process when we use our own corn to do it.” When the Kennays took on the project they didn’t set out to open the largest craft distillery in Illinois. But laws changed as they were renovating the building – allowing distilleries to pump out more product, from 30,000 gallons to 92,000 – and the family decided to think bigger. After all, it’s easier to do something all at once than to build something and then expand later. Today, the distillery has five full-time employees and 13 part-timers. Its opening lined up with a downtown revitalization movement in Rochelle, and the city was happy to support the business and helped get the startup going. CONTINUED ON PAGE 224
Bartender Molly Petry mixes up a Country Sunset Martini. Along with a variety of brews, the distillery produces gin and vodka.
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LEFT: Bartender Alexis Isley serves a glass of Mother Hen, a hefeweisen brewed with cascade hops and hibiscus. AT RIGHT: The Kennay Farms logo was modeled after owners Rick and Doris Kennay’s daughter, Aubrey.
3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 The distillery is still a startup business – it isn’t fully functioning on its own yet – but the family hopes it will be in time. “With great risk comes great reward,” Quinn said. That’s what we’re hoping for.” Diversifying his farming business is important to Rick, especially in times when weather, commodity prices, trade wars and tariffs make it tough for some to prosper and grow in the industry. “Diversifying is tremendous,” Rick said. “It’s everything to have feed corn, we have field corn, we have soybeans, we have hogs
and we have the distillery. It’s everything.” Working together as a family makes for an interesting dynamic for the Kennays. Rick said everyone is working toward a common goal – success – since they each have a stake in the company. Everyone also is cross-trained. Each family member can work at the distillery or on the farm, wherever they’re needed. “We all have a mutual respect for the different roles we play and I think that helps us to get along and still do our jobs,” Quinn said. “But it’s still nice to know that your cousin or your dad is still right there to help out whenever you need them.” n
More info Kennay Farms Distilling 416 Lincoln Highway, Rochelle. Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 4 to 10 p.m. Friday; 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The venue also offers tours and takes bookings for private events. Online: kennayfarmsdistilling. com and on Facebook Want to give Kennay Farms’ spirits a shot but don’t want to go to Rochelle? You can find the family’s products in local retailers, among them Snyder’s Pharmacy in Byron, The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe in Dixon, Cork and Tap in Oregon, Spoons and Beetz Me in Princeton.
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A
grain truce OF
Movement in the tariff
standoff with China and a revamped deal between the U.S, Mexico and Canada has farmers trading uncertainty for a brighter outlook
STORY RACHEL RODGERS FOR NORTHERN ILLINOIS AG MAG
R
ecent activity with trade deals is painting a favorable picture for Illinois farmers who have been plagued by uncertainty with tariffs and difficult weather conditions. In December and January, Phase 1 of the U.S.-China trade agreement was signed and Congress passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, revamping the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. Phase 1 created a limited trade deal with China and halted tariffs that were set to go into effect Dec. 15. “Illinois farmers have expressed a profound desire to recapture lost export demand due to the prolonged trade war with China,” said Richard Guebert, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau. “As a result of retaliatory tariffs, sales of Illinois soybeans to China were cut in half from $2 billion in 2017 to $1 billion in 2018.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 244
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“We are well positioned to fulfill China’s demand of soybeans, pork and additional commodities, and this agreement provides a pathway for the next generation of Illinois young farmers.” Richard Guebert President of the Illinois Farm Bureau
About 85 percent of surveyed Illinois Farm Bureau members identified “regaining lost ag export demand” as their top priority for 2020 in the organization’s annual survey in late November 2019. The Phase 1 deal calls for China agreeing to buy $200 billion more in U.S. goods compared to 2017, boosting agricultural sales by $32 billion over the next 2 years. “We are well positioned to fulfill China’s demand of soybeans, pork and additional commodities, and this agreement provides a pathway for the next generation of Illinois young farmers,” he said. “Good trade deals offer certainty to our heartland farmers and help grow our agricultural economy,” U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, said. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement was passed by the U.S. House in December and the Senate in January. In the agreement, U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico would increase by $19.1 billion (5.9%) and $14.2 billion (6.7%), respectively. U.S. imports from Canada and Mexico would increase by $19.1 billion (4.8%) and $12.4 billion (3.8%), respectively, according to a U.S. International Trade Commission report. One in every five acres in Illinois is planted to feed Mexican and Canadian consumers, Guebert said. “While no agreement is ever perfect, we worked across the aisle to help negotiate a
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foundation for future trade that addresses the needs of the district, has the toughest enforcement mechanisms our country has ever seen and will serve all Illinoisans,” Bustos said. Illinois farmers export 40% of their corn, 13% of their beef and 34% of their pork to Canada and Mexico. “Bringing this trade deal into the 21st century will give our workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and innovators a chance to compete in the international market and allow for better digital trade opportunities,” said U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahon. “The USMCA will also create 176,000 new jobs in America and produce over $68 billion in new economic activity.” The agreement is also vital for Illinois corn farmers. “Trade with Mexico and Canada is a vital part of the market for Illinois corn, with both countries making up 25% to 30% of corn sales leaving the country,” said Bill Leigh, president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association. The deal also creates a biodiesel tax credit that could benefit soybean farmers. “We have endured a down farm economy, the ongoing trade war, and other hardships including bad weather this year,” said Ron Moore, soybean farmer and director of the American Soybean Association. “This tax credit will help expand markets and provide certainty for the soybean industry.” n Illinois Agrinews contributed to the article.
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Deep roots In 1820, America grew to 23 states, James Monroe was re-elected president, and an immigrant from British Canada started a farm in Carroll County that’s still in the family today STORY CODY CUTTER PHOTOS MICHAEL KRABBENHOEFT FOR NORTHERN ILLINOIS AG MAG
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The Sturtevant family farm is almost as old as the state it calls home. The original homestead in rural Shannon was settled by William Boardman in 1820, 2 years after Illinois was granted statehood. Today, Boardman’s great-great-grandson, Ronnie (back left), owns the farm and (from left) Steve, Scott and Trey Sturtevant tend to day-to-day operations. On the facing page, the original 1820 Sturtevant homestead is pictured on an old Christmas card.
E
very day is a busy day at the Sturtevant family farm outside of Shannon, and it’s been that way now for 2 centuries. The top of the morning routine sees Trey Sturtevant tend to the nurseries and small pigs; Trey’s father, Scott, and uncle, Steve, each take care of a finisher; and grandpa Ronnie chips in wherever needed. Such is life for the Sturtevants on a farm that is observing its bicentennial this year – 200 years of successes, challenges, and most of all, consistency. “It’s a pretty special legacy to try and carry it on,” Scott said. “There’s a sense of pride in it. You don’t want to be the generation to screw it up.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 284
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The Sturtevants used to raise cattle until Ronnie’s sons made a switch to hogs. They began their operation farrow-to-finish, where pigs are bred and raised to slaughter weight before market; now they come from sow farms at around 4 weeks old and bulked from there.
3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 Much has changed from when Ronnie’s great-great-grandfather, William Boardman, decided that a parcel of land 25 miles east of the Mississippi River would be a place to make a living. Today, the acreage is smaller, the surnames have changed, facilities are newer and more efficient, and Ronnie’s sons made a switch from raising cattle to raising pigs after the 86-year-old reduced his workload. But one thing hasn’t changed: Their dedication to a way of life that’s sustained them through good times and bad. They survived several agriculture crises, competition from multi-million dollar farms and the move to specialization. They began their pig operation farrow-to-finish, where pigs are bred after birth and raised to slaughter weight before market; now they come from sow farms at around 4 weeks old and bulked from there. Their finishers were built in the past decade, and are climate controlled; they are kept at around 60 degrees year-round. Last year’s polar vortex saw temperatures dip as low as 35 degrees below zero, something that would have devastated
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livestock a century ago. “The pigs don’t know how well they got it,” Steve said. Northern Illinois was the last part of the state to have settlement of open land, as residents migrated south to north along the Mississippi River and trails such as the Galena Stage Coach Road from Peoria to the lead mines in Galena in the 1820s. Boardman, however, came from the opposite direction; he emigrated from British Canada. Boardman owned the land for 40 years before his daughter, Mary and her husband, David Holmes, took over in 1860. Their daughter, Phoebe Holmes, next had the land by 1909, and she was married to David Sturtevant. Everett Sturtevant, Phoebe’s son and Ronnie’s father, took over in 1963, and Ronnie and his wife of 65 years, Donnagene, have owned it since the early 1970s. Phoebe’s death brought about the greatest uncertainty over the farm’s future. “When grandma died, five brothers and sisters couldn’t agree on the price and so they put it on the market,” Ronnie said. “It didn’t get sold, and it didn’t get sold, and finally they took dad’s bid.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 294
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 Much of the original 520 acres have been offset to various family members over the years and sold, but the 137 1/2 acres on the north side of Payne Road between state Route 73 and Kittredge Road still is kept by the Sturtevants. Ronnie’s brother, Dennis, farms about 2 miles south. Ronnie’s family acquired land and existing buildings on the south side of Payne Road in 1966, rebuilt the house that he and his wife live in, and put up new buildings over time. Pigs are on the south side of the road, and crops are raised on the opposite side. Scott, 52, and Steve, 62, were raised in that house, and have heard plenty of family lore over the years from their father. “He tells a story about them having to go down to the creek to break the ice to be able to have water,” Steve said. “We visit it back there, and my grandkids get a kick out of it now. It’s easier now and we sort of take it for granted.” Some of the younger generation of Sturtevants have found their way to urban life, but Scott enjoys the witnessing of contrasts whenever they come to visit. “I still like it when they come home and watch us unload pigs and get a taste of the farm life again,” Scott said. “It’s still kind of a treat for them that we kind of took for granted growing up out here.” Trey, 26, remains committed to the farm, and enjoys it. “It’s just a joy to be able to come here and see grandma and grandpa every day,” he said.
ABOVE: A young Ronnie Sturtevant (left) and his father, Everett (right) show off their haul from a family fox hunt in the 1930s. Today, Ronnie is the patriarch and, with his wife Donnagene, owner of the farm operation that’s been part of the family for 200 years. LEFT: The Sturtevant farm was featured in the 2011 Sesquicentennial Lanark book.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 4
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 The hard work even has its fun moments. One day when Ronnie tended to cattle manure, a young Scott stood on a fender next to the pile to see what was going on. As a joke, Ronnie slowly pushed his arm toward Scott to make him fear a fall into the stinky mess. “I will always remember that,� Scott said. “He never let me fall, but I remember doing things like that to my kids when they were little and give them a little shove.� The Illinois Department of Agriculture keeps records of centennial, sesquicentennial and bicentennial farms, however it does not update them on its own. Families have to provide quality evidence to have their farm listed, or Monumental updated to the next level of anniversary. Centennial farms receive a green sign milestones from the Department; bicentennials get Go to shawurl. a brown one. com/3aet for a list of Only five farms in Illinois are regisregistered cententered with bicentennial status; the oldnial, sesquicentenest owned by the Reinneck Family near nial and bicentennial Belleville since 1800. farms in Illinois. The oldest farm in Ogle County is owned by the Brown Family, established in 1833 northeast of Eagle Point. Only one other sesquicentennial farm was started between the Sturtevant and Brown farm establishment dates, that of the 1830 Trumbo farm near Dayton in LaSalle County. The Chamberlain Family farm is Whiteside County’s oldest, started in 1844 along the Rock River east of Lyndon. Lee County’s oldest is that of the Gilmore Family north of Compton, which dates back to 1846. The probability of the Sturtevant farm staying in the family is “pretty good,� Ronnie said. “It’s been a very enjoyable living. If you work hard, you’ve made a living,� he said. n
The Sturtevants will get to add another sign of success to their family farm. Above, the Illinois Department of Agriculture sign designates the farm’s sesquicentennial status. Now, they can display a new sign: a red one denoting the farm’s 200th year (left).
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Helping hands
When a local farmer lost his brother, he found hope amid the heartache: neighbors who came to help harvest the crop he and his brother planted STORY Phillip Hartman PHOTOS Earleen Hinton for Northern Illinois Ag Mag
SHANNON – Bryan Snetcher was facing not only his brother’s death, but 400 acres of corn to bring in – and the weather wasn’t cooperating. Bryan, 34, of Shannon, had worked for years with his older brother, Daniel “Opie” Snetcher, who died Nov. 14 at age 38 after a car crash. The brothers had their own farming operation, and also did custom farming for other producers across Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle, and Stephenson counties, and as far away as Aurora and Naperville. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 4
Bryan Snetcher and his sons, George, 8, and Welden, 7, stand by the Case 8120 combine they used to pick the cornfield on Crab Creek Road. In the background is Bryan’s brother, Daniel, who died Nov. 14 in a car crash.
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“Nov. 14, we were about to start into our harvest,” Bryan said. Even as the Snetchers were processing the news of Daniel’s death, friends of the family swung into action to help bring in the harvest. Neighbors started coming to help on Dec. 19. Family friend Ryan Rabb of Durand brought his 16-row combine, and helped organize a group of about 40 volunteers. “We’ve gotten big help from neighbors. We’ve been blessed with the number (who are helping). It probably would’ve taken me a month if I’d done it myself,” Bryan said. At the time of Daniel’s death, the family had about 400 acres left to harvest, scattered north of Shannon and others between
Lanark and Mount Carroll. “We were drying corn constantly,” Bryan said. As for the Snetchers’ custom farming, Bryan will continue, although the scale of the work will likely be reduced for some time. “I’m not sure what adjustments will be made. I can still do it,” Bryan said, adding that he may have to hire some other people to help. The next generation of Snetchers may some day chip in as well. Daniel left behind two sons, Caleb Snetcher, 14 and Tatum Snetcher, 12, and two daughters, Dani Snetcher, 10, and Taylor Feld, 8, while Bryan has two sons, George Snetcher, 8, and Welden Snetcher, 7. n
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armers looking to improve their pastures or waterways, or cut down on feed costs can start doing it now, but the window in which to do it won’t be open for long. During an agronomy summit in STORY: MARTHA BLUM Freeport FOR NORTHERN ILLINOIS AG MAG in January, Laura Lant, an agronomist for Midwest Grass & Forage in MaComb, promoted the benefits of frost planting, a method of broadcasting seeds on the surface in late winter or early spring. The process lets nature do most of the work, relying on the freeze-thaw cycle and early showers to improve seed-to-soil contact. During this time of the year, soil can move up and down, drawing seeds into tiny cracks caused by the cycle, eliminating the needs for tilling. But time is of the essence. “We’re only 4 to 5 weeks away from frost seeding time,” said Lant during the Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit on Jan. 14 in Freeport, an event hosted by University of Illinois Extension. During late winter, farmers can broadcast species such as clover or grass over pastures to thicken the stand and improve production. CONTINUED ON PAGE 344
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 “It is an effective way to increase the pasture, whether you want to keep it in pasture for 3 to 4 years or you just need it to tide you by for a few months or until fall,” Lant said. Some forage species work better than others for frost seeding. “Clovers are the most common and probably the most economical,” Lant said. “Adding a legume will produce nitrogen, so that is very beneficial for yields and fertility of any grasses out there,” she said. “If you need something for 1 year, consider annual ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, Frosty clover or some of the red clovers.” After the 2019 growing season, where many farmers planted forages on prevent plant acres or for emergency hay needs, Lant said there may be limited supplies of some seeds. “Make sure you’re planning ahead for those sooner rather than later,” she said. With little snow cover this year, Lant said, farmers have an
opportunity to do some scouting of their pastures and hay fields. “If you were questioning some hay fields last year, do some scouting and then revise your plan of what you’re going to need this year,” she said. “Knowing that hay prices have gotten high at auctions, in central Illinois we’ve got some guys who aren’t livestock producers who plan to put in a hay field or two to capitalize on that market.” Lant encourages farmers to plant improved genetics when reseeding or renovating pastures. “All too often I see guys go cheap and skimp on pastures species,” she said. “They’re using products like Kentucky 31 that were developed in the 1930s and ‘40s and I don’t think anyone here would plant a corn hybrid or soybean variety from 2010 let alone something 50 or 60 years old.” A lot of innovations have occurred in forage seed production. “You may have to spend $10 to $15 more per acre, but see if that makes sense for your operation” Lant said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 354
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3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34 “Along with improving your systems and higher yield, you may find things like red clover with less hair that’s going to dry down quicker for dry hay or you may find a fescue that has a soft leaf and more palatable,” she said. There are options for livestock producers who think they may be short on feed early in the spring. “Fortunately, we’ve been able to have cows on stalks in a lot of places to help prevent this,” Lant said. “If you did get cover crops in, grazing Triticale, cereal rye or annual ryegrass in the spring is a great option to keep feed costs down.” Another option is to plant something in late February to early March, such as a forage oat or forage pea. “That can be accomplished for $25 to $30 per acre and can really help to tide you over until you get to the summer annuals,” Lant said. “Last year, we sold a lot of summer annuals to folks who had never tried them before because of prevent plant and that really depleted the seed supply,” she said. “Teff seed produced in 2019 was planted in 2019, so there will be some seed shortages this year.”
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Therefore, Lant said, it is important for farmers to plan ahead and work with their seed suppliers early. “It’s not a desperate situation, but you need to make sure you’re focusing ahead this year more than normal,” Lant said. “If you have livestock and have never tried summer annuals, we encourage you to pick one and try it,” she said. “Teff grass is great quality and great for a beginner because you don’t have livestock health issues with prussic acid, like some of the other summer annuals.” However, Teff grass can be a challenge to get established. “You need to drill it about one-eighth of an inch deep, so if you have the equipment, it is a great option for high quality dry hay,” Lant said. Sorghum-sudan, forage sorghum, sudangrass and millets are good options, Lant said, because they produce high tonnage and high quality forage that is very cost effective to produce. “The downside for the sorghum-sudan family is they have a risk for prussic acid poisoning,” she said. “To avoid that, be sure you’re cutting above 12 inches, or after a frost, wait 7 days before turning livestock out.”n – Martha Blum reports for Shaw Media Illinois’ AgriNews
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