Attend summer wheat forum

Looking for an opportunity to learn more about wheat production? The annual Illinois Wheat Forum will be hosted on Aug. 25 at the Okawville Community Center in Okawville, Ill.

Producers will hear discussion on topics that will help increase efficiency and profitability of their operations, says Mike Doherty, interim executive director of the Illinois Wheat Association (IWA).

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the following:

Attendees can also visit exhibitors, including seed companies, millers, elevators and crop protection services.

Registration will begin on-site at 8 a.m. The cost is $20 for IWA members and $40 for other attendees. The forum will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m., with a provided lunch.

To view an agenda or for more information, visit the IWA website or call Doherty at 309-557-3268.

New commodity group leaders

On July 7, Illinois producers elected new leaders to the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board. Selected individuals will serve three-year terms.

The following individuals were elected to the Illinois Corn Marketing Board:

These individuals were selected to serve on the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board:

Illinois corn farmer chosen for U.S. Grains Council

On July 29, Toulon, Ill., farmer Mark Wilson was selected to serve as the corn sector representative on the U.S. Grains Council board of directors. His two-year term began on Aug. 1. Wilson also serves as a director on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.

Wilson says his goal continues to be contemplating how the corn industry can stay ahead of issues. He says producers must lead instead of follow.

Wilson joins Jim Raben from Ridgway, Ill., and Don Duvall from Carmi, Ill., on the U.S Grains Council. Raben is the recent past chairman and Duvall is an at-large director. 

Natural disaster county update

In July, six counties were designated by the USDA as primary natural disaster areas due to the impact of drought throughout the growing season.

Under the same circumstances, Winnebago County has been added to the list.  The designation was determined by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Counties were selected based on drought intensity during the growing season of D2 drought-severe for eight or more consecutive weeks, or D3 drought-extreme or D4 drought-exceptional.

Farmers in the designated primary and contiguous counties are eligible to apply for the USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loan program. Loan payments will be determined by amount of loss, security and repayment ability. Emergency loans may be used for operation improvements, debt assistance, or livestock and equipment replacement. 

The following is a list of primary natural disaster counties:

The following neighboring counties are also eligible for emergency loans:

Emergency loan applications are due Feb. 22. Illinois FSA recommends farmers wait to apply until after harvest.

For more information, visit the USDA website or contact a local USDA Service Center.

Tour Soyleic plots

On Aug. 19, the Illinois Soybean Association will host a field tour during the University of Illinois Agronomy Day in Urbana. The tour will include information regarding Soyleic plots at the U of I South Farms.

Soyleic is a non-GMO, high-oleic trait available for soybean varieties. The trait is patented by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and results in high-oleic meal and oil. This means Soyleic soybean varieties provide functional soybean oil that can accommodate to recent food labeling laws driven by trans-fat health concerns. These federal rules have reduced or omitted soybean oil in many food products.

Marketing opportunities for use of Soyleic soybean varieties in feed and food uses are being established in Illinois through soy processors and refiners.

Since 2015, the U of I soybean breeding program has been creating Soyleic variety lines with support from the United Soybean Board. Breeding is a long-term process that entails combining four genes. However, the program has been successful in developing trial Soyleic lines, which combine the trait with successful yields.

ISA funds will allow for testing of these Soyleic lines. A total of nine Illinois locations will host line tests — four, two-row preliminary tests and five, four-row advanced yield tests.

Registration for U of I Agronomy Day is available online. For more information regarding Soyleic, visit the ISA website.