2021 Fall Farm

Page 32 2021 Logan County Fall Farm Outlook Lincoln Daily News Oct. - Nov. 2021 he primary industry in Illinois is agriculture. It leads the country in the production of both corn and soybeans. 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 Agricultural challenges to protect and feed the world T BY JAN YOUNGQUIST Continue 4