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Farm

  • Farm Briefs

    Temps down, precip up during February

    Last month, statewide temperatures continued to be below normal, while precipitation was above normal throughout the state. Much of the state was hit with heavy snow early in the month, with total snowfall for the month ranging from less than 6 inches to more than 24 inches.

    Much of the wheat crop had been blanketed by snow for the first half of the month, and still remains dormant.

    February also marked the beginning of calving season for many cattle operations throughout the state.

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  • USDA Farm Service Agency aids rural areas

    Last year, the Illinois Farm Service Agency provided nearly $650 million in assistance to the state’s agriculture producers.
    Those funds help farmers and ranchers recover from disasters, implement conservation practices and support other activities to ensure the well-being of American farmers.
    Following is the breakdown of the federal farm payments issued in Illinois during 2010:

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  • VCHS FFA celebrates FFA Week

    The week of Feb. 19-26 was designated as National FFA Week, and the Vandalia FFA chapter celebrated by hosting a variety of activities.
    On Monday, all high school students were encouraged to support agriculture by wearing articles of clothing that were agriculturally related.

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  • Signup to begin March 1 for land to go into CRP

    Signup will begin on March 14 and continue through April 15 for the Conservation Reserve Program.

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  • NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace to be advocate for farmers, renewable fuels

    A multi-state coalition of farmers and agribusinesses announced this week their promotional partnership with NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kenny Wallace, who will serve as a spokesman for family farmers and renewable fuels for the entire 2011 racing season.
    The agreement also makes family farmers the primary sponsor of RAB Racing’s No. 09 Toyota Camry, driven by Wallace, at five races this season, with the first at Phoenix International Raceway on Feb. 26.

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  • Nelson testifies on EPA's greenhouse gas reg plans

    Philip Nelson, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, last week testified on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for “stationary,” or non-transportation-related sources under the Clean Air Act.  The testimony took place before the House Energy and Power Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

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  • Vandalia FFA'ers attend conference

    Members of the Vandalia FFA Chapter attended the national FFA organization’s 212 Degree conference at the Doubletree Hotel in Collinsville on Jan. 28-29. Members in attendance from Vandalia included Brad Jenner, Jacob Rau and Nate Elam.
    The two-day personal development program helped students determine personal virtues and values, while creating personal action plans for achieving their goals. The conference also focused on good decision-making and accountability.

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  • Illinois, U.S. farm report

    ILLINOIS
    Cattle and calves
    The total number of cattle and calves in Illinois on Jan. 1 was 1.1 million head, 6 percent below last year’s total. This is the lowest cattle inventory on record for Illinois.
    Beef cow inventory was down 10 percent from 2010 to 352,000, while milk cows were down 3 percent to 98,000. This information is based on a recent cattle survey conducted by the Illinois office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
    Milk production

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  • Sorghum vote under way at FSA office

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will conduct the sorghum referendum on the continuation of the Sorghum Checkoff Program from Feb. 1-28 at the Fayette County FSA office.
    For the program to continue, the Sorghum Promotion, Research and Information Order requires that a referendum be conducted no later than three years after the start of assessments, which began July 1, 2008.
    The order requires a simple majority vote.
    Ballots may be obtained from the FSA office, located at 301 S. Third St. in Vandalia, or on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/sorghumpage.

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  • Farm Briefs

    January's temps, precip below norms

    Last month, statewide temperatures were below normal, and precipitation was also below normal for all of the state.

    Wheat crops were reported to have been blanketed by snow throughout much of the state for most of the month. Winter wheat conditions stand at 5 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 3 percent excellent.

    Temperatures averaged 21.7 degrees, 3.1 degrees colder than normal.

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