Features

[FEB. 26, 2001]   March 6 will be our final soybean cyst nematode clinic for the season. Herrin Fertilizer in Mount Pulaski will host the event from 9 to 11 a.m. This is an opportunity for producers to have soil analyzed for detection of the nematodes or for predictive analysis to determine whether a resistant soybean variety should be planted.

Extension will analyze two samples at no charge. Additional samples are $5 each. Samples should be taken just like soil fertility samples, and you may combine samples for analysis. Half of a small lunch bag is needed for analysis.

These nematodes have been found in over 70 percent of all soybean fields for which samples have been submitted in Logan County. Proper management can economically control soybean cyst nematode, and management recommendations will be given with the soil analysis.

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For more information, please contact the University of Illinois Extension Office at 732-8289.

With some warmer weather, thoughts are rapidly turning to the growing season. This holds true for farmers and homeowners. If you are looking to get a jump on the season, try checking out the many horticulture topics on our University of Illinois Extension website at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/home/homelawn.html. Have fun!

[John Fulton]

[FEB. 19, 2001]   It’s now official with the release of county yields for corn and soybeans from the Illinois/U.S. Crop Reporting Service. Logan County producers once again fared well, with a corn yield of 163 bushels per acre and a soybean yield of 47 bushels per acre. Illinois yield averages came in at 151 bushels per acre for corn and 44 bushels per acre for soybeans.

The top-yielding counties in the state for corn were Christian at 177, Pike and Sangamon with 174, Montgomery and Moultrie with 173, and Adams and Macon with 172 bushels per acre.

Top-yielding soybean counties were Coles and Piatt with 50; Carroll, Christian, Macon and Stark with 49; and 12 counties including Sangamon and Tazewell with 48 bushels per acre.

McLean County was once again the top producer of corn and soybeans, with production of 51,057,000 bushels of corn and 14,602,900 bushels of soybeans.

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Total soybean production for Logan County for 2000 was 7,646,900 bushels, for a placing of 11^th, and total corn production was 29,340,000, for a placing of 12^th in the state.

The Logan County 10-year average yields are 153.3 bushels per acre for corn and 47.1 bushels per acre for soybeans. Logan County record yields for both corn and soybeans occurred in 1994, with 181 bushels per acre for corn and 50.5 bushels per acre for soybeans.

Below is a table with year 2000 yields from Logan County and surrounding counties.

[John Fulton]

Crop yields for 2000

[FEB. 12, 2001]   For those not familiar with the College of ACES, that is the acronym for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. One of the great ways to find out what is going on in the college is to attend the annual open house. This year the dates will be March 2 and 3. The times both days will be 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Three sites will house exhibits and activities this year: the Plant Sciences Laboratory, the Agricultural Engineering Sciences Building, and the Stock Pavilion. Demonstrations and youth activities will be featured at each site. Some of the demonstrations are "Floral Design to Music," "Wind Your Way Through DNA – A Hands-On Demonstration with DNA," sheep shearing, and carding and spinning wool.

Activities for youth and the young-at-heart include face painting, student tours, milking a cow, the fistulated cow for an inside look at a cow’s digestive system, roping skills, horticulture activities and making a "secret agent" worm.

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Admission and demonstrations are free, with a few of the activities having a small donation to a sponsoring student group. Free parking is available in the south end of University Lot E-14 at First Street and St. Mary’s Road, with free shuttle service to the exhibit sites. A complete listing of exhibits and events is available by contacting the local Extension Office at 732-8289 or checking out the website at http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/openhouse (still under construction for a few more days).

[John Fulton]

[FEB. 9, 2001]  Several people from the area were recognized at the Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District annual meeting.

Jack and Sally Bicknell of Atlanta received the Cooperator of the Year award.

Resource conservationist Steve Bracey credits them, saying: "They have been active for over 20 years, applying needed conservation practices to the land. They use conservation tillage, no-till and strip-till in their operation. They have also applied structural practices and used contour farming wherever possible."

Doug Thompson, vice chairman of the district, presented the award plaque.

Individuals from two area FFA chapters were also recognized at the meeting. "We have noticed the fine job our young future farmers have been doing in area and statewide competitions and wanted to recognize their accomplishments at the meeting," Bracey said in complimenting the students.

The FFA instructors spoke about their groups’ activities and achievements and then introduced the students.

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[Doug Thompson presents the Cooperator of the Year award to Jack and Sally Bicknell.]

[(Left to right) From Hartsburg FFA:  instructor Betsy Pech, Daniel Eeten, Kent Leesman, Kate Wrage, Nick Coers and Shane Westen]

[From the Mount Pulaski chapter: instructor Ralph Allen, Andy Volle, Emily Allspach, Michael Stoll, Caleb Dirks]

Ag Announcements

[FEB. 27, 2001]  The Midwest Equipment Dealers Association (MEDA), through its educational foundation, Midwest Equipment Foundation, will provide two $1,000 and four $750 scholarships for the 2001-02 school year to people enrolled in community college training programs approved by the association.

A copy of the scholarship announcement brochure, including scholarship rules, application form and listing of approved training programs, has been provided to all high school vocational agriculture instructors and to community colleges that provide MEDA-approved training programs. The deadline for scholarship applications is April 1.

Scholarship information can also be picked up at Central Illinois Ag’s Atlanta store, 1-800-762-2325, or directly from MEDA at 1-800-236-6332.

Central Illinois Ag, formerly Schmidt-Marcotte and George H. Dunn Inc., has been a member of MEDA for many years. Locations include Atlanta, Pekin, Clinton and Farmer City.

[Central Illinois Ag news release]

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