U of I Feed Technology Center opens

After two years of construction, the University of Illinois has unveiled its new Feed Technology Center — and you can take a tour, no matter where you are.

Virtual technology is to thank for allowing people all over the world to visit the facility, through a factsheet, first-look video (below) and behind-the-scenes video series.

Kim Kidwell, dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, says the center serves as another avenue for U of I to fulfill the land-grant mission. Faculty will use the building to conduct research, teach the next generation of animal nutritionists and connect with investors in the industry.

The $20 million facility replaces the feed mill that was built in the 1920s to process university grain to feed university livestock. This center is designed with top-end equipment such as smart sensors for monitoring feed intake, digital automation tools for formulating precise rations, and safety and sanitation aspects. The facility was made possible through a public-private funding structure that includes 20 companies, commodity groups and private donations.

Kimberly Meenen, assistant dean for advancement in the College of ACES, says the industry partnerships built through funding and the center will continue to prosper the industry.

For more information and to watch the entire video series, visit the Feed Technology Center website.

Crop acreage report deadlines approaching

Crop acreage reports are important for preventing lost benefits, and USDA is recommending farmers make an appointment at their local Farm Service Agency office well before the crop deadline — especially if they haven’t yet completed crop acreage reports post-planting.

Dan Puccetti, state executive director in Illinois, says FSA staff are trained to help producers complete acreage reports that are required by many USDA programs.

Below are acreage reporting deadlines in Illinois:

July 15. corn, soybeans, oats and hay
Dec. 15. 2022 wheat
Jan. 2. 2022 honeybees

Reporting dates may vary by crop and county, so contact your local FSA office for a list of deadlines.

Before filing a crop acreage report, make sure you have the following information:

Consider these exceptions regarding acreage reporting dates:

Crops not planted by the reporting date. These crops must be reported within 15 days after planting completion.

Obtaining additional acreage after reporting date. This acreage must be reported within 30 days of purchase or receiving lease. Documentation is also required to the county office.

Acreage not planted due to natural disaster. Producers must report acreage that was prevented from planting using the form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, within 15 days after final planting date set by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program-covered crops. The reporting date for NAP-covered crops is July 15 or 15 days before grazing or harvesting begins.

To learn more, contact your local FSA office.

Prepare your Secure Pork Supply plan

How do you prepare for a foreign animal disease outbreak such as African swine fever? Experts say establishing a Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plan is key for operations without any evidence of a disease to maintain steadiness during an outbreak.

Throughout July, the Illinois Pork Producers Association and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine will provide pork producers with a free workshop to create their SPS plans. Workshops are available from 9 to 10:30 a.m. or from 10:30 a.m. to noon on each date. Two spots will be offered at each time window. To reserve your spot, contact Jennifer Tirey at [email protected] or 217-529-3100.

Pork producers can select from the following workshops:

July 6. Knox County Farm Bureau in Galesburg, Ill.
July 7. Monroe County Farm Bureau in Waterloo, Ill.
July 13. DeKalb County Farm Bureau in Sycamore, Ill.
July 20. Peoria County Farm Bureau in West Peoria, Ill.
July 21. Illinois Pork Producers in Springfield, Ill.

Prior to your workshop, a U of I vet medicine graduate student will contact you to talk through what you’ll need for a successful SPS plan.

Midwest Dairy awards scholarships

Annually, Midwest Dairy awards scholarships to students involved in the dairy industry that will be attending an accredited college or university. This year, the following six students will receive $1,000 scholarships from the Illinois division of Midwest Dairy:

Lakin Getz, Savanna, Ill. Getz will be attending Highland Community College, majoring in agribusiness. She hopes to pursue a future career in finance or management within the dairy industry.

Carlie Hoffman, Nashville, Ill. Hoffman will study animal sciences and preveterinary medicine at the University of Illinois. Her career plans include becoming a veterinarian and being an advocate for the dairy industry.

Sean Koch, Trenton, Ill. An agricultural business student at Illinois Central College, Koch hopes to develop a positive image for the dairy industry in his future career as a dairy farmer.

Nathan Lintker, Venedy, Ill. Lintker has desires to continue the legacy of his family’s dairy farm after completing his degree in agriculture business at Illinois State University.

Regan Scidmore, Chadwick, Ill. An animal science student at Highland Community College, Scidmore has a desire to teach consumers about the dairy industry and take over her family’s farm.

Jazmin Wingert; Kent, Ill. Wingert studies agriculture business at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and plans to pursue a career that allows her to be a dairy industry leader while sharing the story of the industry.

Next year’s scholarship applications will be available in January.

Growmark CEO to retire in 2022

Jim Spradlin is retiring as CEO of Growmark, effective in February.

“Jim has served the Growmark system with excellence since 1982,” says John Reifsteck, Growmark board chairman. “His leadership as CEO has been transformational, and he will leave a legacy of innovation in digital technology, leadership development, succession planning and the establishment of an enterprise-wide strategy that is yielding increased customer satisfaction and financial success.”

Prior to becoming CEO in September 2014, Spradlin served in various roles throughout the FS/Growmark system. His career began as an accounting trainee at Schuyler-Brown FS. Other roles in the system include general manager at Piatt County Service Co. and Ag-Land FS, vice president for Growmark’s agronomy and energy business units, and part of Growmark’s regional staff.

Reifsteck says the board has already begun its search for a new CEO. They hope to recruit someone by fall so they’ll be able to work with Spradlin until his retirement.

Growmark is a longtime sponsor of the Prairie Farmer Master Farmer program.