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 Illinois farmers are
focused on growing food, fiber and fuel with sustainability. And
there is a new movement termed 'regenerative,' the next step that
moves preservation toward restoration of soils, and improves water
and air quality.
Today's farmer must focus far further than on growing a crop or
raising an animal.
Every farmer must be an expert in business keeping details of seed
or livestock purchases, chemical and treatment records; complex
financial records, submit timely applications and claims for
insurances and subsidies, and much more.
In addition to product development and the business end of farming,
whether a tending a field or practicing animal husbandry, Ag is a
heavily regulated industry.
Between on-farm and off-farm operations, farming is subject to
multiple government regulators at both state and federal levels in
agriculture, soil and water conservation, labor, environmental
protection, and transportation.
Regulations regarding soil and nutrient losses from fields, control
and purification of water run-off from livestock, licensing for
chemical application, drivers permits and road-use limitations, and
other transportation guidelines are ever changing. These are but a
few examples, but every phase of each operation holds timely,
concise requirements, some that must be recorded and reported.
Nature, disasters and diseases pose potential and various levels of
threat. Livestock operations particularly take daily preventative
measures against highly contagious diseases.
Currently, there is a careful watch on Foot and Mouth Disease. But
another illness with broad and devastating consequences to grain
sales and the hog industry has now reached the western hemisphere.
In September it was announced that African Swine Fever (AFS) was
found in the Dominican Republic.
AFS requires quick, thorough response measures of containment as the
disease has a near 100% mortality rate in hogs and it is highly
contagious. Losses would have national and global supply impacts for
years and would carry an exorbitant compounded cost, including
affecting grain sales if the disease would reach the U.S.
In the face of the many potential interconnected obstacles and
extreme risks, how does the farmer stay motivated? What keeps the Ag
industry going?
Fortunately, regulatory agencies such as the USDA, the Soil and
Water Conservation and those who are most familiar with the workings
of a farm, offer programs and assistance to meet conservation,
disease and disaster challenges. Crop and livestock associations
also provide communications, assistance and support.
Our legislators influence farming successes by overseeing
maintenance and expansion of critical infrastructure; policies on
environment, labor, operations and marketing, and lobby for
assistance where needed.
It takes someone who has a good grasp of daily work and challenges
on the farm; who knows enough when complications arise to represent
agricultural needs on behalf of the farmer.
Representing central Illinois in Washington, D.C. is 18th District
Republican Congressman Darin LaHood.
LaHood does not come from a farming family and he recognizes it is
essential that he learn and understand real Ag issues.
"My district is the eighth largest producer of corn and soybeans in
the country," LaHood said.
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Jayne and Ron
Kindred visit in October with Congressman Darin LaHood (center) on
their Atlanta farm.
This past growing season Congressman LaHood gained a deeper
understanding of today's challenges by spending time on the farm
with Atlanta soybean and corn grower Ron Kindred. Kindred is an
Illinois Soybean Association member, District 9 Director and
Vice-Chairman.
LaHood visited during three key points of the growing season -
planting, mid-season and harvest.
Together with the Illinois Soybean Association, three videos (links
below) were created to document the valuable work of the American
farmer in supplying food, fiber and fuel for the U.S. and to markets
around the globe.
LaHood saw the precision that goes into the planting process and the
work that goes in during the off-season as well. He said being on
the farm and in the combine "gives you a different perspective. You
see the hard work that goes into farming and how important it is to
do it the right way, and the end product. Which is why Illinois
leads the country in soybean production."
He recognizes the importance that our government policy makers have
a handle on the workings of agriculture. "I work with a lot of smart
colleagues, but many of them don't understand Ag," LaHood said.
Through his visits to the farm, LaHood gained a greater
understanding of issues facing farmers giving him greater ability to
advocate on behalf of agriculture.
Communications
are key in all aspects of agricultural production, and especially
when it comes to keeping our legislators informed on real issues
with the facts. Congressman LaHood, being videoed in the background,
aims to do just that in D.C.
"When we go back to Washington D.C. and we're discussing crop
insurance, renewable fuel standards (RFS), trade agreements, the
inland waterway system and our locks and dams," he said.
LaHood said, "We produce the best products anywhere in the world,
but we're only 4.5% of the world's population."
2021 Life of a
soybean, short videos:
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