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[APRIL 1, 2003]  The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce recently sponsored its fourth annual Ag Day breakfast as part of the National Agriculture Week observance. Agriculture community leaders, businessmen, industry leaders and students gathered at the new American Legion Hall in Lincoln. This year's breakfast was themed "Planting the Seeds for Progress."

The highlight of the annual breakfast is the presentation of the Ag Day scholarships. A total of $4,000 in scholarships was awarded to students currently studying or planning to further their studies in agriculture. This amount is double from the first Ag Day four years ago.

Blane Olson, a senior at Mount Pulaski High School, and Abrigail Sasse, a senior at Lincoln Community High School, were awarded $1,000 scholarships. (Click here for information about the students and a picture posted previously.)

Casey Davis, Natalie Coers, Kent Leesman and Jason Wrage were awarded $500 scholarships. (Click here for more information about the students.)

Those in attendance at the Ag Day breakfast also heard about the exciting research projects being conducted at Washington University by former scholarship recipient Elizabeth Stoll.

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Attendees also heard keynote speaker Dr. Steve Sonka, director of the National Soybean Research Laboratory and soybean industry chair in agricultural strategy, speak on the future of agriculture. Sonka, a renowned agribusiness academic, described innovative university research being conducted. Dan Kelley, chairman of the board and president of Growmark also gave comments on the future trends, and Rep. Rich Brauer provided insight into state agriculture programs and incentives.

Larry Huelskoetter, committee chairman for the breakfast, emphasizes that the scholarship program, free breakfast and other ag-related programs for the community would not be possible without the generous support of local businesses. This year's sponsors includes financial institutions, ag-related businesses, grain elevators, car and agriculture implement dealerships, and farm supply stores.

[Press release]

[APRIL 1, 2003]  In conjunction with Agriculture Day at the Capitol in Springfield on March 26, seven Hartsburg-Emden FFA members spent part of the day visiting with their state legislators, Rep. Bill Mitchell and Sen. Bill Brady.

Annie Sanders, Nicole Buse, Blaine Hellman, Jacob Moehring, Scott Ubbenga, Curtis Conrady and Kasey Hoerbert also had the opportunity to sit in on a press conference where Senate Republicans were stating their opposition for reinstating the farm equipment sales tax.

Lastly, these FFA members assisted in delivering lunches and agricultural commodity baskets to all legislators.

[FFA news release]

(Left to right) Jacob Moehring, Sen. Bill Brady, Kasey Hoerbert, Annie Sanders, Nicole Buse, Curtis Conrady, Scott Ubbenga, Blaine Hellman and Rep. Bill Mitchell.

[APRIL 1, 2003]  URBANA -- Two USDA reports issued March 31 were termed supportive of the corn market, somewhat negative for soybeans and generally friendly toward wheat, said a University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist.

However, Darrel Good noted there is a major mystery.

"For the major crops for which pre-report guesses were reported -- corn, soybeans, sorghum, wheat and cotton -- planting intentions total 237.605 million acres," he said. "That is 892,000 more than planted to those crops in 2002. The average of the pre-report guesses reflected expectations of a combined increase of 2.275 million acres in those five crops. The source of such a large expected increase was never explained."

Good's comments came as he reviewed the March 31 "Grain Stocks and Prospective Plantings" reports.

March 1 inventories of corn were estimated at 5.132 billion bushels, 64 million bushels below the average trade guess and 663 million below the level of stocks a year earlier. March 1 stocks were at the lowest level in five years and implied a record 2.509-billion-bushel disappearance in the second quarter of the 2002-03 marketing year. Domestic use of corn was 4 percent larger than during the same quarter last year, while exports were off about 9 percent.

"The big shock came in the form of farmers' corn planting intentions for 2003," said Good. "Intentions were estimated at 79.022 million acres, 32,000 less than actual plantings in 2002. The market had expected an increase of nearly 1.5 million acres.

"More acreage is expected in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Ohio. Intentions are for less acreage in Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas. Acreage in Iowa is expected to be equal to that of last year."

With planted acreage near intentions, corn acreage harvested for grain should be near 72 million. A trend yield of 140 bushels would result in a 2003 harvest of 10.08 billion bushels, while a repeat of last year's yield of 130 bushels would produce a crop of only 9.36 billion bushels, underscoring the importance of 2003 growing season weather.

Sorghum acreage is expected to decline by 129,000 acres, while harvested acreage of oats is expected to increase by 106,000, and planted acreage of barley is expected to be up by 306,000.

March 1 stocks of soybeans were estimated at 1.202 billion bushels, only about 10 million above the average trade guess but at the upper end of the range of guesses. Stocks on March 1 were about 134 million bushels smaller than on the same date a year ago and at the lowest level for that date in six years.

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"Disappearance of U.S. soybeans during the second quarter of the 2002-03 marketing year totaled about 912 million bushels, about 28 million less than during the same quarter last year," said Good. "Use during the first half of the year is down about 67.5 million bushels. The domestic crush declined by nearly 35 million, exports were off 71 million, and seed, feed and residual use increased by 38.5 million bushels."

Producers reported intentions to plant 73.812 million acres of soybeans in 2003, only 576,000 less than planted in 2002. The trade had expected a decline of 1.2 million acres. Acreage declines are expected in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio. More acreage is expected in Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Intentions in Iowa are equal to 2002 plantings.

"With planted acreage near intentions, harvested acreage should be near 72.1 million," said Good. "A trend yield of 40 bushels per acre would result in a crop of 2.884 billion bushels, 154 million larger than the 2002 crop.

"A repeat of the 2002 yield of 37.8 bushels would result in a crop about the same size as the 2002 crop. Canola acreage is expected to decline by 210,000 acres, to a total of 1.249 million acres. Intentions for sunflowers are at 2.517 million acres, 68,000 below last year's acreage."

March 1 stocks of wheat were estimated at 905 million bushels, 305 million less than stocks of a year earlier but very near the average trade guess. Area planted to winter wheat is estimated at 44.308 million acres, 2.511 million more than seeded a year earlier and 62,000 above the January estimate. In contrast, durum acreage is expected to decline by 1.158 million. Intentions for all classes of wheat total 61.697 million acres, 1.339 million more than seeded last year but nearly 800,000 less than the average pre-report guess.

"Acreage of wheat harvested for grain, as well as average yield, will be determined by weather conditions over the next few months," said Good. "Given the large abandoned acreage and low yields of a year ago, more normal weather conditions would result in a large increase in U.S. wheat production this year.

"With harvested acreage near 51.5 million -- reflecting the level of non-harvested acreage in 2000 and 2001 -- and an average yield of 41.1 bushels per acre -- the average of 2000 and 2001 -- the 2003 crop would total 2.12 billion bushels, 500 million larger than the 2002 harvest."

[University of Illinois news release]

Illinois agriculture could benefit
by refining vision

[MARCH 31, 2003]  URBANA -- A new definition of "agriculture" is being created by fresh demands on a broad front, noted Robert A. Easter, dean of the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

While Illinois has significant competitive advantages in agriculture, including soils, climate and transportation, appearances can be deceiving. Easter offered an example used by Juan Enriquez in his book, “As the Future Catches You: How Genomics & Other Forces Are Changing Your Life, Work, Health & Wealth.”

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[University of Illinois news release]

[MARCH 27, 2003]  SPRINGFIELD -- Sen. Larry Bomke joined his downstate Republican colleagues Wednesday in voicing their opposition to any budget plans that would force farmers and agribusiness to pay sales taxes on seed, fertilizer and the equipment they use to grow food and develop other agricultural commodities.

The lawmakers made the announcement on Agriculture Legislative Day, March 26, in an effort to discourage Gov. Rod Blagojevich from repealing the state's agricultural sales tax exemption as a possible budget fix.

"Right now, lawmakers are considering legislation without any insight on the budget beyond what we read in the paper or see on TV," said Bomke, R-Springfield. "Repealing the agricultural sales tax exemption has been mentioned, and that worries those of us representing rural communities. Agriculture is an economic mainstay for downstate Illinois, and it is one of the few stable and thriving industries we have. I will not support any budget proposal that threatens that stability."

Currently, farmers and agribusiness do not pay sales tax on seeds, agrochemicals, fertilizer, farm machinery and equipment, and related products necessary for the production of a commodity.

Estimates show this would cost the agriculture industry $235 million, a price tag Bomke fears could jeopardize the future of Illinois agriculture.

"It is unrealistic to think we can balance the budget on the backs of farmers and agribusiness," said Bomke. "Chicago may think they are targeting a wealthy industry with money to spare, but the reality is that small family farm and line workers in small rural communities are the ones who will suffer. Agribusiness can operate just as efficiently in other states as they can in Illinois if we repeal this incentive, and that means Illinois will lose the jobs and the money this industry brings to our state. We don't want to lose those jobs and money to Iowa or Indiana."

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Blagojevich is scheduled to address lawmakers April 9 concerning his plans for the fiscal 2004 budget and the deficit for fiscal 2003 and 2004.

In an effort to boost Illinois agriculture, Bomke is sponsoring several measures to benefit farmers and agribusiness.

--Senate Bill 46, which gained approval March 26 in the Senate, extends the sales tax credit on ethanol and bio-diesel fuel blends, making them more competitive with traditional fossil fuels and strengthening the market for Illinois corn and soybeans, both of which are widely used to make the fuels.

--Senate Bill 1471, approved unanimously in the Senate March 20, allows farmers to purchase short-term license plates for farm trucks or trailers.

--Senate Bill 1166 helps more farmers and agribusinesses qualify for loans to finance or refinance debt. The Senate voted in favor of the measure March 24.

--Senate Bill 610, still before the Senate, will strengthen the solvency of the Grain Insurance Fund.

[News release]

War may impact fuel costs
in crop production

[MARCH 26, 2003]  URBANA -- Tillage costs this spring for Illinois farmers may increase from 5.6 percent to 8 percent per acre, planting costs from 2.2 percent to 5.1 percent and additional operations from 3.3 percent to 5.8 percent per acre due to increases in fuel-related costs said a University of Illinois Extension farm financial management specialist.

"Fuel prices have increased substantially primarily due to concerns over supply disruptions that may occur in the Middle East," said Gary Schnitkey. "These price increases have led to higher projected production costs for corn and soybeans in 2003."

Schnitkey's study, "Increases in Fuel Related Costs Lead to Higher Production Costs," is part of the Farm Economics Facts & Opinion series and may be found online at http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/manage/
newsletters/fefo03_05/fefo03_05.html.

"Diesel fuel prices are currently hovering around $1.50 per gallon, an increase of about 50 cents per gallon over 2002 prices," he said. "Diesel fuel use for tillage, planting and harvesting operations vary from farm to farm, with most farms using between five and six gallons per acre. Fuel use of 5.5 gallons per acre and a $1 fuel price causes diesel fuel costs to be $5.50 per acre. An increase to a $1.50 per gallon price means fuel costs are $8.25 per acre, an increase of $2.75 per acre.

"This $2.75 increase only covers fuel for field operations. Other fuel is needed for general use and grain hauling, causing overall fuel costs to increase more than $2.75. Average increases in fuel costs are likely to be around $3.50 per acre, given that fuel prices do not decrease before the fall harvest period."

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Schnitkey's study also examines nitrogen and liquefied petroleum gas prices, which have increased dramatically since last spring.

"As many farmers applied anhydrous ammonia in the fall, prior to most of the increase in price, per acre nitrogen costs for these farmers will increase less than the 40 percent increase in prices," he said.

"Between February 2002 and February 2003, LP gas prices increased over 100 percent. This could indicate that drying costs will increase dramatically if LP gas prices do not decrease between now and summer."

Schnitkey said that quick resolution of the war with Iraq might lead to substantial decreases in petroleum prices.

"While LP and nitrogen prices are impacted to some extent by uncertainties surrounding the Middle East, analysts believe that price increases are due to long-term increases in demand. If this is the case, there is less chance that nitrogen and LP prices will decline dramatically with an Iraqi resolution," he said.

The online version of Schnitkey's study includes a table reflecting per acre costs for various types of tillage, planting and row-crop cultivation, and additional operations.

[U of I news release]

County fourth-graders experience
a 'Celebration of Agriculture'

[MARCH 22, 2003]  More than 300 fourth-graders from Logan County visited the Lincoln Park District Recreation Center Thursday. The fourth-graders attended a half-day agriculture fair designed to give the students knowledge of agriculture and its many uses in today's world. The fair focused on the need people have for agriculture and its importance in their daily lives. Nearly 100 percent of the county's fourth-graders participated. Students attended from 13 schools in the county.

The fair was sponsored by the Logan County Farm Bureau to coincide with National Ag Day.

"Many students from rural areas do not live on working farms," said Lynn Paulus of the Farm Bureau. "The fair gives students an opportunity to experience agriculture and the variety of uses farm products have."

Paulus said, "Three county FFA chapters, from Mount Pulaski, Lincoln and Hartsburg-Emden, helped present the fair."

The fair consisted of presentations that were spread out over two half-hours. The presentations included five breakout stations plus a sheep shearing demonstration.

The fourth-graders saw modern farm machinery, tractors, combines and a diesel truck.

"The tractors are really big," commented Cody Mathis, a fourth-grader from Mount Pulaski. Joe Rankin and Paul Stolzenburg agreed. All three students said that they were enjoying the fair and learning a lot.

The Hartsburg-Emden FFA presented a station that focused on safety and taking safety precautions around farm machinery.

Another breakout station was about corn and its many uses. Corn can be used in many ways, ranging from food products to ethanol fuel to making plastic and even clothing. A wedding dress was made using corn, and shirts are made from materials using corn.

The fourth-graders were very excited about what they did at the corn station. "We made plastic," Dylan Hughes and Ethan Cline said. Levi Clampet said, "It looks like burnt cheese." Connor Cruise said, "Mine looks like blood." The students were obviously enjoying the presentations. They were very excited about the interactive parts of the "celebration."

Other breakout stations covered dairy products, hogs and pork products, and soybeans and soy products.

Drew Olson from the Hartsburg-Emden FFA helped students make ice cream at the dairy breakout station. The students then got to enjoy tasting a sample of their product.

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John Erwin from Beason brought his 7-month-old calf named Topper for the students to meet. He also brought a portable milking machine. The fourth-graders put their thumbs all the way up the tubing on the machine and experienced the suction cows feel when they are being milked. This was one of the fourth-graders' favorite stations.

[photos by Bob Frank]

At the hog and pork station students sampled sausage, met a pig and learned about nonedible products made from pork.

Ben Rekart, a fourth-grader from Lincoln, said, "I learned that buttons can be made from pork."

Ben also learned about hog feed. The sample feed consisted of jellybeans that represented water, M&Ms that represented vitamins, peanuts and raisins that equaled protein, and candy corn and wheat for carbohydrates. These nutrients are what hogs need in their food.

The soy products station included a game of soy bingo featuring soy products as items on the bingo board. MaryLou Klokkenga of the Emden Farm Bureau women's committee also presented fourth-graders with samples of foods made from soy, ranging from soy chocolate milk to soy butter and soy crackers.

The final presentation of the agriculture fair was a sheep shearing demonstration. All of the fourth-graders sat in a circle watching as a sheep was sheared. There were some "oohs" from the audience as the shearing progressed. When the sheep was sheared, one fourth-grader asked, "Does that hurt?"

The fourth-graders from Logan County all seemed to enjoy the agriculture fair. They showed a large amount of interest in all of the stations.

The students will now be asked to write an essay about "The Celebration of Agriculture," which they must submit by April 1. Students from the Phi Theta Kappa honorary society at Lincoln College will judge which five essays are the best. The five winners selected will receive trophies. From the enthusiasm shown by all of the fourth-graders in attendance Thursday, judging the essay contest will be very difficult.

[Don Todd]

Honors & Awards

Ag Day scholarship winners

[MARCH 25, 2003]  Six area students received a total award of $4,000 in local Ag Day scholarships -- double the amount awarded four years ago on the first Ag Day.

$1,000 scholarship winners

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Ag Announcements

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