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Severe Weather Pummels Illinois
Illinois during the past 10
days got hit with a double dose of severe weather that caused everything
from structural damage to flash floods.
A number of counties in Southern Illinois
absorbed the biggest hit May 8 when straight-line
winds cut an estimated 15-mile-wide swath through parts of Franklin, Jackson,
Saline, and Williamson counties, among others. The area
was declared a state disaster area by Gov. Pat Quinn.
“There were straight-line winds recorded over 100
mph,”
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EPA Ban Could Affect Pest-Harried Corn Producers
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
effective ban of carbofuran insecticides could pose major concerns for Illinois
corn growers facing pressure from key pests.
EPA last week announced it had revoked
regulations that permitted minor residues of carbofuran (marketed as Furadan) in
domestic and imported foods, and reported it “ultimately” would remove the
chemical from the market.
The agency labeled the product “a toxic
insecticide that does not meet current U.S.
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Will Crop Projections Smother Market Rallies?
A recent run-up in crop prices could be near an
end despite ongoing concerns about delayed planting.
USDA this week in its
May crop production report projected U.S. farmers this year will produce large
crops totaling 12.1 billion bushels of corn and 3.2 billion bushels of soybeans.
The large projections, while in line with
pre-report estimates, could take some of the bullishness out of the markets
which as of last week had rallied by $3 per bushel since February in the
old-crop
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Federal biofuels strategy upholds corn ethanol
By Martin Ross Federal
agency chiefs last week reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to biofuels
as “a permanent part of the American economy.” Ag
Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S.
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Pork Producers request USDA assistance
BY DANIEL GRANT The
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) last week urged USDA to take a number of
steps to help the pork industry deal with negative effects brought on by the
H1N1 flu
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State tools rather than mandatory federal identification solution?
By Martin Ross As
one of his state’s favorite sons continues to push hard for a mandatory
national animal identification program, Ted Radintz sees most of the tools for
a reliable livestock
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IFB priorities move forward in spring legislative session
BY KAY SHIPMAN An
Illinois Farm Bureau legislative priority to raise the cap on beginning farmer
bonds passed unanimously in the House Executive Committee last week, according
to Bart
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Wanted: Farmers to grow fruit, veggies for 1,100 school lunches
BY KAY SHIPMAN A
Central Illinois school district has embarked on a quest to find local
farmer/vendors to grow and supply fresh vegetables and fruits for its hot lunch
program.
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Replenishing river trust fund challenges industry
The industry continues to seek solutions to funding
crucial river improvements without creating new competitive bottlenecks in the
Upper Mississippi system. Federal lawmakers, the
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River Commission set to tour Illinois River
An
influential advisory commission plans a historic summer tour of the Illinois
River that could help draw Washington’s attention to the needs of Midwest river
users.
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Stimulus funding relieving pressure for new lock $$?
By Martin Ross An
infusion of strings-free “stimulus” money for Midwest lock rehab and renovation
could relieve political budget pressure and free funds for long-delayed lock
construction
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More H1N1 developments in U.S., world
As
of May 8, 24 countries had officially reported 2,384 cases of H1N1 influenza,
according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Mexico
reported 1,112 confirmed human cases,
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Lawmakers urge tying higher blends to assistance
As
corn and biofuels interests last week rallied support for a new 15 percent
ethanol blending threshold in standard gasoline, bipartisan Illinois
congressmen recommended linking
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State to run its Springfield buildings on wind power
State
buildings in Springfield will run on wind power after Gov. Pat Quinn signed an
agreement with the City of Springfield last week. “This
partnership between the state and the
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Renewable energy standard, federal oversight needed
The
federal government needs to step in to ensure the nation diversifies its energy
supply, the head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) said last
week in
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Economist sees signs of hog market recovery
The worst of a bad situation may be over for hog
producers who in recent weeks suffered a financial backlash from the H1N1
influenza outbreak. Pork producers from April 24 to May 1
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State to spend $21 million for parks and open space
Illinois is awarding $21.2 million in grants for 59
recreational land purchases and park development projects, Gov. Pat Quinn
announced last week.The projects are being funded through the
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NRCS offering EQIP funds for organic farming
The
Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering about $1.2
million to help farmers transitioning into organic farming or for those
currently certified as organic
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USDA posts county cash rent data
USDA
has released its first-ever county cash rent data. The
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) since 1997 has published land
value and rental rate data at the state
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Tips for transitioning cattle to wet pasture
This
time of year beef producers are eager to release cattle into pastures. But
they should consider two risks related to changing weather patterns prior to
such a move, according
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