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  Farming skills and knowledge are accumulated over time. How does someone who is new to farming handle the challenges based on one year’s experience? FarmWeekNow reports on two new specialty growers who received grants channeled through Annie’s Project and periodically will follow their second year in farming.  
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If you have any questions on the items listed in this edition of QUICKVIEW or on other state legislative matters please contact us at 309-557-2308.
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One of the lines of discussion surrounding the new farm bill is focused on limiting crop insurance payments. Todd Gleason files this report on what affect a limit might have on a grain farm.

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Oppose the Mandatory Overtime for Agricultural Labor and Minimum Wage
Please contact your State Senator by phone at their Springfield office and respectfully request that they vote NO on SB 1565 (Sen. Lightford). SB 1565, if enacted, will require overtime pay for agricultural labor and increases the minimum wage using a complicated formula of a 50 cent per year increase, plus the rate of inflation until it reaches approximately $10.58 per hour.

Please call the State Operator (toll free) at 1-877-I-ACT-4-AG (1-877-422-8424) and ask to be transferred to your specific State Senator. Once you are transferred, please ask to speak to your Senator. If they are unavailable please leave a message. If you are leaving a message please leave your name, address, and phone number you can be contacted at.

Please state the following:

Senator XXXXXXX:

I would like you to vote NO on SB 1565. This bill will negatively impact farms in Illinois by requiring mandatory overtime for agricultural labor. The bill also unfairly increases the minimum wage to a level that will be detrimental to our farms.

Thank you for your consideration on this issue and I again ask that you vote NO on this measure.
 
 
05.17.12  
CME Group rethinks expanded trading hours 52 minutes ago
In response to criticism from grain industry officials, the CME has decided to expand trading hours to just 21 hours/day. A CME spokesman says the new hours won't begin until June 4 at the earliest.
05.16.12  
Illinois Wheat Tour sees early harvest ahead
The annual tour of southern Illinois wheat fields projected an average yield of 56 bushels per acre, down from USDA's estimate of 62 bushels earlier this month.
05.16.12  
Chicago Fed: Midwest farmland values continue to rise
Agricultural land values in the Seventh Federal Reserve District continued their rapid rise at the start of 2012, but short of the torrid pace of 2011.
05.16.12  
44 Senators urge Farm Bill action
Congress will have less than two months between the November elections and New Year's to deal with numerous expiring tax break and budget issues, many affecting ag. We have an audio report from RFD Radio's Matt Kaye.
05.15.12  
Illinois Wheat Tour underway
The Illinois Wheat Tour began this morning from two locations: Mt. Olive and Effingham. Participants are checking on the progress of the state's winter wheat crop. FarmWeekNow's Dan Grant is with the Mt. Olive group.
05.15.12  
Corn rootworm larval hatch earliest in 35 years
Rootworm larvae were found in Central IL and Indiana last week.
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  Weather News
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05.10.12
IL drought conditions shrink
This week's Drought Monitor report reflects recent rains across northern IL.
05.07.12
Weekend rains soak northern IL
Rainfall totals of up to 4 inches fell across northern and north central Illinois this past weekend. Drier weather is expected for the remainder of this week with highs in the 60s and 70s statewide.
05.01.12
NWS: April was cooler than March
The month of May is starting off quite soggy for much of Illinois. We have an audio report from RFD Radio's Al Jarand.
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  Profit News
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05.17.12
CME Group rethinks expanded trading hours 52 minutes ago
In response to criticism from grain industry officials, the CME has decided to expand trading hours to just 21 hours/day. A CME spokesman says the new hours won't begin until June 4 at the earliest.
05.16.12
Illinois Wheat Tour sees early harvest ahead
The annual tour of southern Illinois wheat fields projected an average yield of 56 bushels per acre, down from USDA's estimate of 62 bushels earlier this month.
05.16.12
Chicago Fed: Midwest farmland values continue to rise
Agricultural land values in the Seventh Federal Reserve District continued their rapid rise at the start of 2012, but short of the torrid pace of 2011.
View Story Archives
  
  Market News
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05.17.12
CME Group rethinks expanded trading hours 52 minutes ago
In response to criticism from grain industry officials, the CME has decided to expand trading hours to just 21 hours/day. A CME spokesman says the new hours won't begin until June 4 at the earliest.
05.16.12
Illinois Wheat Tour sees early harvest ahead
The annual tour of southern Illinois wheat fields projected an average yield of 56 bushels per acre, down from USDA's estimate of 62 bushels earlier this month.
05.16.12
Chicago Fed: Midwest farmland values continue to rise
Agricultural land values in the Seventh Federal Reserve District continued their rapid rise at the start of 2012, but short of the torrid pace of 2011.
View Story Archives
  
  Policy News
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05.16.12
44 Senators urge Farm Bill action
Congress will have less than two months between the November elections and New Year's to deal with numerous expiring tax break and budget issues, many affecting ag. We have an audio report from RFD Radio's Matt Kaye.
05.14.12
FMCSA decision resolves intrastate vs. interstate issue
Illinois Farm Bureau input into decision is viewed as critical.
05.11.12
New hog facility more efficient, better for animals
The opening of a new 4,500-head, wean-to-finish hog facility thist week on the farm of Patrick and Julie Harms in Livingston County will provide more than just improved efficiencies for hog production.
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