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>>> WELCOME TO A NEW SEASON OF "AT ISSUE." THANK YOU SO MUCH
"AT ISSUE." THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
FOR JOINING US. MY NAME IS H. WAYNE WILSON.
MY NAME IS H. WAYNE WILSON. FOR THOSE OF YOU LOOKING FOR
FOR THOSE OF YOU LOOKING FOR VINTAGE AIRCRAFT, WE DID MAKE A
VINTAGE AIRCRAFT, WE DID MAKE A SWITCH IN THE PROGRAM.
SWITCH IN THE PROGRAM. WE WILL START THE NEW SEASON
WE WILL START THE NEW SEASON WITH AGRICULTURAL ISSUES.
WITH AGRICULTURAL ISSUES. LOOK R FOR THE VINTAGE AIRCRAFT
LOOK R FOR THE VINTAGE AIRCRAFT STORY IN TWO WEEKS RIGHT HERE ON
STORY IN TWO WEEKS RIGHT HERE ON WTVP AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF
WTVP AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF AGRICULTURAL ISSUES, THE FARM
AGRICULTURAL ISSUES, THE FARM BILL.
BILL. CONGRESS CAN'T SEEM TO GET THEIR
CONGRESS CAN'T SEEM TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER ON THAT.
ACT TOGETHER ON THAT. WE WILL TALK ABOUT WHAT MEANS TO
WE WILL TALK ABOUT WHAT MEANS TO ILLINOIS FARMERS IN A MOMENT,
ILLINOIS FARMERS IN A MOMENT, INCLUDING A DISCUSSION ON
INCLUDING A DISCUSSION ON ETHANOL.
ETHANOL. WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT
WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT NITRATES, AND A LOT OF OTHER
NITRATES, AND A LOT OF OTHER AGRICULTURAL ISSUES WITH THE
AGRICULTURAL ISSUES WITH THE PRESIDENT AND A BOARD MEMBER OF
PRESIDENT AND A BOARD MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU.
THE ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU. LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU PHILIP
LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU PHILIP NELSON.
NELSON. PHILIP IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE
PHILIP IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU.
ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
HERE. >>IT IS A PLEASURE.
>>IT IS A PLEASURE. >>THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TABLE
>>THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TABLE IN THE PATRIOTIC TIE IS DAVID
IN THE PATRIOTIC TIE IS DAVID SERVEN.
SERVEN. DAVID IS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE
DAVID IS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU.
ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU. >> THANK YOU, H.
>> THANK YOU, H. >>I THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.
>>I THANK YOU FOR COMING IN. SENECA.
SENECA. >>SOUTH COUNTY.
>>SOUTH COUNTY. >>FOR THOSE OF US GEO
>>FOR THOSE OF US GEO GRAPHICALLY CHALLENGED, WHERE IS
GRAPHICALLY CHALLENGED, WHERE IS SAINT AUGUSTINE.
SAINT AUGUSTINE. >>SOUTHWEST CORNER OF KNOX
>>SOUTHWEST CORNER OF KNOX COUNTY, STRAIGHT WEST OF PEORIA.
COUNTY, STRAIGHT WEST OF PEORIA. >>LITTLE NORTHEAST AND LITTLE
>>LITTLE NORTHEAST AND LITTLE BIT WEST.
BIT WEST. >>YEAH.
>>YEAH. LET'S START WITH THE FARM BILL.
LET'S START WITH THE FARM BILL. CONGRESS DID I THINK IT WAS A
CONGRESS DID I THINK IT WAS A NINE MONTH EXTENSION.
NINE MONTH EXTENSION. BECAUSE IT EXPIRED LAST YEAR,
BECAUSE IT EXPIRED LAST YEAR, CREATED NINE MONTH EXTENSION,
CREATED NINE MONTH EXTENSION, AND NOW THAT IS EXPIRING. WE
AND NOW THAT IS EXPIRING. WE ARE LOOKING FOR ACTION BY
ARE LOOKING FOR ACTION BY OCTOBER ONE.
OCTOBER ONE. WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS NO
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS NO ACTION BY OCTOBER ONE.
ACTION BY OCTOBER ONE. DURING THE AUGUST RECESS, H, WE
DURING THE AUGUST RECESS, H, WE HAD A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH
HAD A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AS
OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AS WE SAID BRING THE HEAT TO
WE SAID BRING THE HEAT TO CONGRESS TO GET THEM TO ACT ON
CONGRESS TO GET THEM TO ACT ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.
THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. AS YOU STATED, I MEAN WE CAME
AS YOU STATED, I MEAN WE CAME THROUGH WITH A SENATE PASSED
THROUGH WITH A SENATE PASSED VERSION OF THE FARM BILL.
VERSION OF THE FARM BILL. THE HOUSE, LATE JUNE, BROUGHT
THE HOUSE, LATE JUNE, BROUGHT THE HOUSE AG COMMITTEE'S FARM
THE HOUSE AG COMMITTEE'S FARM BILL TO THE FULL FLOOR, AND IT
BILL TO THE FULL FLOOR, AND IT FAILED.
FAILED. THEN, AS A RESULT OF THAT, THEN
THEN, AS A RESULT OF THAT, THEN THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP DE COUPLED
THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP DE COUPLED THE FARM BILL, COMMODITY TITLE
THE FARM BILL, COMMODITY TITLE AWAY FROM THE FOOD NUTRITION
AWAY FROM THE FOOD NUTRITION PROGRAM.
PROGRAM. AND THEN PASSED THE COMMODITY
AND THEN PASSED THE COMMODITY TITLE SO, THROUGH THE RECESS,
TITLE SO, THROUGH THE RECESS, THE HOUSE GOP HAVE BEEN HUD LING
THE HOUSE GOP HAVE BEEN HUD LING TRYING TO SAY HOW DO WE GET A
TRYING TO SAY HOW DO WE GET A FOOD NUTRITION TITLE PASSED TO
FOOD NUTRITION TITLE PASSED TO HOPEFULLY GET ALL OF THESE
HOPEFULLY GET ALL OF THESE PIECES TO A CONFERENCE
PIECES TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, THEN GO BACK TO BOTH
COMMITTEE, THEN GO BACK TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS, GET IT
HOUSES OF CONGRESS, GET IT PASSED, AND THEN GET TO THE
PASSED, AND THEN GET TO THE PRESIDENT FOR APPROVAL BEFORE
PRESIDENT FOR APPROVAL BEFORE THIS CURRENT VERSION OF THE FARM
THIS CURRENT VERSION OF THE FARM BILL EXPIRES.
BILL EXPIRES. >> LET'S PUT SOME PIECES
>> LET'S PUT SOME PIECES TOGETHER FOR THE AUDIENCE. YOU
TOGETHER FOR THE AUDIENCE. YOU TALKED ABOUT SPLITTING THE BILL,
TALKED ABOUT SPLITTING THE BILL, AND THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION
AND THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.
ABOUT THAT. LET'S -- THE NUTRITION PORTION
LET'S -- THE NUTRITION PORTION AND AGRICULTURAL PORTION.
AND AGRICULTURAL PORTION. NUTRITION PORTION IS SNAP, WHAT
NUTRITION PORTION IS SNAP, WHAT WAS CALLED FOOD STAMPS.
WAS CALLED FOOD STAMPS. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. WAS IT THE G.O.P. WHO WANTED TO
WAS IT THE G.O.P. WHO WANTED TO SEPARATE THAT?
SEPARATE THAT? >> AFTER THE FAILURE ON THE
>> AFTER THE FAILURE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, HOUSE LEADERSHIP
HOUSE FLOOR, HOUSE LEADERSHIP AND THE G.O.P. SIDE, DECIDED TO
AND THE G.O.P. SIDE, DECIDED TO DO TWO THINGS.
DO TWO THINGS. THEY SEPARATED THE FOOD
THEY SEPARATED THE FOOD NUTRITION PROGRAMS AWAY FROM THE
NUTRITION PROGRAMS AWAY FROM THE COMMODITY TITLE, AND THEY ALSO
COMMODITY TITLE, AND THEY ALSO BASICALLY MOVED TO RELINQUISH
BASICALLY MOVED TO RELINQUISH 1949 ACT, AND 2013 WOULD BE THE
1949 ACT, AND 2013 WOULD BE THE BASELINE FOR FURTHER FARM BILLS.
BASELINE FOR FURTHER FARM BILLS. SO IT WAS REALLY TWO OR THREE
SO IT WAS REALLY TWO OR THREE STEPS THEY PUT IN THE PROCESS.
STEPS THEY PUT IN THE PROCESS. THAT PASSED.
THAT PASSED. SO, AS A RESULT OF THAT, IT IS
SO, AS A RESULT OF THAT, IT IS HARD TO CONFERENCE A THREE
HARD TO CONFERENCE A THREE LEGGED MILK STOOL WITHOUT THAT
LEGGED MILK STOOL WITHOUT THAT OTHER VERY IMPORTANT PIECE
OTHER VERY IMPORTANT PIECE COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE.
COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS,
SO HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THERE IS GOING TO BE A MOVEMENT
THERE IS GOING TO BE A MOVEMENT AFOOT TO TRY TO GET THE HOUSE TO
AFOOT TO TRY TO GET THE HOUSE TO PASS THE FOOD NUTRITION TITLE.
PASS THE FOOD NUTRITION TITLE. ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU IS OPPOSED
ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU IS OPPOSED TO THE SEPARATION OF THE
TO THE SEPARATION OF THE NUTRITIONAL ASPECT FROM THE
NUTRITIONAL ASPECT FROM THE AGRICULTURAL ASPECT?
AGRICULTURAL ASPECT? >> WELL, WE ARE VERY CONCERNED.
>> WELL, WE ARE VERY CONCERNED. I HAPPEN TO BE OUT IN WASHINGTON
I HAPPEN TO BE OUT IN WASHINGTON WHEN THIS DEBATE WAS HAPPENING.
WHEN THIS DEBATE WAS HAPPENING. HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE ALWAYS
HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED TO TRY TO KEEP THE TWO
LOOKED TO TRY TO KEEP THE TWO PROGRAMS TOGETHER.
PROGRAMS TOGETHER. FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, NUMBER
FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, NUMBER ONE, IT TAKES A WHOLE HOST OF
ONE, IT TAKES A WHOLE HOST OF VOTES IN ORDER TO MOVE A FARM
VOTES IN ORDER TO MOVE A FARM BILL.
BILL. AS WE HAVE GOTTEN FURTHER AND
AS WE HAVE GOTTEN FURTHER AND FURTHER REMOVED FROM PRODUCTION
FURTHER REMOVED FROM PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE, WE NEED THAT URBAN
AGRICULTURE, WE NEED THAT URBAN VOTE TO GET BEHIND A FARM BILL.
VOTE TO GET BEHIND A FARM BILL. SO WHEN THEY DE COUPLED THAT, WE
SO WHEN THEY DE COUPLED THAT, WE THINK IT LOSES THAT MOMENTUM OF
THINK IT LOSES THAT MOMENTUM OF NOT HAVING SOMETIMES THE MUCH
NOT HAVING SOMETIMES THE MUCH NEEDED VOTES TO PUT TOGETHER A
NEEDED VOTES TO PUT TOGETHER A FARM POLICY.
FARM POLICY. >>LET'S IT UP TO THE REALITY OF
>>LET'S IT UP TO THE REALITY OF THE FARM.
THE FARM. YOU FARM CORN AND BEANS
YOU FARM CORN AND BEANS PRIMARILY, YOU ARE OUT OF THE
PRIMARILY, YOU ARE OUT OF THE DAIRY BUSINESS?
DAIRY BUSINESS? >> YES.
>> YES. >>JUST CORN AND BEANS FOR RIGHT
>>JUST CORN AND BEANS FOR RIGHT NOW, HOW MANY ACRES?
NOW, HOW MANY ACRES? MY FATHER AND I FARM 1400 ACRES
MY FATHER AND I FARM 1400 ACRES TILLABLE GROUND.
TILLABLE GROUND. >>THERE USED TO BE A YOU HAVE
>>THERE USED TO BE A YOU HAVE BEEN IS SI DI PROGRAM.
BEEN IS SI DI PROGRAM. IS A SUBSIDY PROGRAM DOESN'T
IS A SUBSIDY PROGRAM DOESN'T EXIST ANY MORE?
EXIST ANY MORE? >> THE NEW PROGRAM THAT SUBSIDY
>> THE NEW PROGRAM THAT SUBSIDY GOES AWAY.
GOES AWAY. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE FARM BILL
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE FARM BILL DEBATE BECAUSE WE ARE SO
DEBATE BECAUSE WE ARE SO REGIONALLY DIFFERENT, THE
REGIONALLY DIFFERENT, THE MIDWEST, SAY, FROM THE SOUTH,
MIDWEST, SAY, FROM THE SOUTH, AND THE COTTON GROWERS AND SOME
AND THE COTTON GROWERS AND SOME OF THE AREAS TO THE SOUTH, THEY
OF THE AREAS TO THE SOUTH, THEY RELIED MORE ON THE SUBSIDIES
RELIED MORE ON THE SUBSIDIES THAN SAY THE MIDWEST AREA.
THAN SAY THE MIDWEST AREA. THIS, FOR US IN THE MIDWEST CROP
THIS, FOR US IN THE MIDWEST CROP INSURANCE HAS BEEN THE MAIN
INSURANCE HAS BEEN THE MAIN THRUST THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IN
THRUST THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IN THIS FARM BILL, AND THAT'S WITH
THIS FARM BILL, AND THAT'S WITH LAST YEAR WITH THE DROUGHT THAT
LAST YEAR WITH THE DROUGHT THAT TURNOUT TO BE AND SAVED MANY
TURNOUT TO BE AND SAVED MANY FARMERS IN THIS STATE FROM
FARMERS IN THIS STATE FROM HAVING A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP LAST
HAVING A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP LAST YEAR BECAUSE WE HAD THAT CROP
YEAR BECAUSE WE HAD THAT CROP INSURANCE TO FALL BACK ON.
INSURANCE TO FALL BACK ON. SO THAT'S ONE THINGS WE WANT TO
SO THAT'S ONE THINGS WE WANT TO BE A BIG IMPORTANCE IN THIS NEW
BE A BIG IMPORTANCE IN THIS NEW FARM BILL.
FARM BILL. >>YOU HAD CROP INSURANCE?
>>YOU HAD CROP INSURANCE? YES, MY FATHER AND I HAD CROP
YES, MY FATHER AND I HAD CROP INSURANCE, AND IT IS JUST LIKE
INSURANCE, AND IT IS JUST LIKE IF ANYBODY HAD THEIR BUSINESS
IF ANYBODY HAD THEIR BUSINESS WOULD HAVE ANY INSURANCE, AND I
WOULD HAVE ANY INSURANCE, AND I WILL SAY MYSELF I PAID OVER
WILL SAY MYSELF I PAID OVER $20,000 LAST YEAR ON CROP
$20,000 LAST YEAR ON CROP INSURANCE AND HAD BEEN DOING
INSURANCE AND HAD BEEN DOING THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR. AND LAST YEAR, I WAS ABLE TO GET
AND LAST YEAR, I WAS ABLE TO GET MORE OF THAT BACK BECAUSE I
MORE OF THAT BACK BECAUSE I NORMALLY AVERAGE 170-BUSHEL AN
NORMALLY AVERAGE 170-BUSHEL AN ACRE ON CORN.
ACRE ON CORN. AND LAST YEAR WE BARELY MADE A
AND LAST YEAR WE BARELY MADE A HUNDRED.
HUNDRED. THAT HELPED US OUT GREATLY
THAT HELPED US OUT GREATLY HAVING THAT THERE.
HAVING THAT THERE. >>LET'S TALK ABOUT YIELD.
>>LET'S TALK ABOUT YIELD. THIS YEAR, YOU MIGHT TAKE
THIS YEAR, YOU MIGHT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CROP INSURANCE
ADVANTAGE OF CROP INSURANCE AGAIN?
AGAIN? >> YOU KNOW, WE MIGHT.
>> YOU KNOW, WE MIGHT. WE ARE NOT SURE.
WE ARE NOT SURE. EVERYBODY THINKS WE HAVE A VERY
EVERYBODY THINKS WE HAVE A VERY WET YEAR.
WET YEAR. THIS SPRING IT WAS ONE RAIN
THIS SPRING IT WAS ONE RAIN AFTER ANOTHER.
AFTER ANOTHER. I WOULD HAVE SAID ABOUT THE
I WOULD HAVE SAID ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF JULY WE WERE LOOKING
MIDDLE OF JULY WE WERE LOOKING AT REALLY GOOD CROPS.
AT REALLY GOOD CROPS. WE WERE PUSHING 170.
WE WERE PUSHING 170. WE MIGHT HAVE HAD MORE THAN
WE MIGHT HAVE HAD MORE THAN THAT.
THAT. AND WE WENT FROM THE LAST WEEK
AND WE WENT FROM THE LAST WEEK OF JULY UNTIL THIS WEEKEND
OF JULY UNTIL THIS WEEKEND WITHOUT ANY RAIN.
WITHOUT ANY RAIN. IT IS KIND OF UNHEARD OF TO GO
IT IS KIND OF UNHEARD OF TO GO THE MONTH OF AUGUST WITHOUT
THE MONTH OF AUGUST WITHOUT RAIN.
RAIN. TRADITIONALLY THAT'S WHAT MAKES
TRADITIONALLY THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOUR SOYBEAN CROP IS THE RAIN
YOUR SOYBEAN CROP IS THE RAIN YOU GET IN AUGUST.
YOU GET IN AUGUST. WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT.
WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT. I AM HOPING WE DON'T HAVE TO USE
I AM HOPING WE DON'T HAVE TO USE CROP INSURANCE.
CROP INSURANCE. I AM HOPING THE YIELDS COME IN
I AM HOPING THE YIELDS COME IN ABOVE THAT LEVEL, BUT YOU JUST
ABOVE THAT LEVEL, BUT YOU JUST DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT UNTIL
DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT UNTIL WE GET OUT THERE AND HARVEST IT.
WE GET OUT THERE AND HARVEST IT. >>PHILIP, DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF
>>PHILIP, DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF YIELDS, AT LEAST PROJECTED
YIELDS, AT LEAST PROJECTED YIELDS?
YIELDS? >> WE WERE TRY EARLY ON AFTER
>> WE WERE TRY EARLY ON AFTER ONE OF THE WETTEST SPRINGS WE
ONE OF THE WETTEST SPRINGS WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. WE WENT THREE WEEKS WITHOUT
WE WENT THREE WEEKS WITHOUT MOWING OUR YARD IF THAT'S ANY
MOWING OUR YARD IF THAT'S ANY INDICATION.
INDICATION. SO I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE
SO I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE HIGHLY VARIABLE.
HIGHLY VARIABLE. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE IN
I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE IN THAT 140-170, OR 180 RANGE.
THAT 140-170, OR 180 RANGE. THE BEANS ARE STILL ANYBODY'S
THE BEANS ARE STILL ANYBODY'S GUESS AT THIS POINT AND TIME AS
GUESS AT THIS POINT AND TIME AS WE GET INTO THE CRITICAL PERIOD
WE GET INTO THE CRITICAL PERIOD OF SITTING PODS AND FILLING
OF SITTING PODS AND FILLING THEM.
THEM. >>SO IF WE HAVE A LOW CORN
>>SO IF WE HAVE A LOW CORN YIELD, COUPLED WITH LAST YEAR'S
YIELD, COUPLED WITH LAST YEAR'S LOW CROP, IS THERE CONCERN ABOUT
LOW CROP, IS THERE CONCERN ABOUT WHAT WE CALL I THINK WE DIVIDED
WHAT WE CALL I THINK WE DIVIDED UP INTO FEED, FUEL, AND FOOD.
UP INTO FEED, FUEL, AND FOOD. IS THERE CONCERN THAT WE MIGHT
IS THERE CONCERN THAT WE MIGHT NOT HAVE ENOUGH CORN, FOR
NOT HAVE ENOUGH CORN, FOR INSTANCE, TO MEET ALL THREE
INSTANCE, TO MEET ALL THREE DEMANDS?
DEMANDS? >> I DON'T BELIEVE SO.
>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO. FARMERS RESPONDED THE LAST
FARMERS RESPONDED THE LAST YEARS'S DROUGHT, WE PLANTED
YEARS'S DROUGHT, WE PLANTED 97 MILLION ACRES OF CORN, MOST
97 MILLION ACRES OF CORN, MOST EVER.
EVER. EVEN IN THE TRIM LINE YIELDS IN
EVEN IN THE TRIM LINE YIELDS IN THE 160 RANGE, WE WILL STILL
THE 160 RANGE, WE WILL STILL HAVE A HEALTHY CARRY OVER GIVEN
HAVE A HEALTHY CARRY OVER GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF ACRES THAT WERE
THE AMOUNT OF ACRES THAT WERE PLANTED.
PLANTED. AS WE WITNESSED LAST YEAR, EVEN
AS WE WITNESSED LAST YEAR, EVEN WITH THE DROUGHT, WE STILL HAD
WITH THE DROUGHT, WE STILL HAD ENOUGH BUSHELS IN THE PIPELINE
ENOUGH BUSHELS IN THE PIPELINE TO FULFILL THE NEEDS OF FOOD,
TO FULFILL THE NEEDS OF FOOD, THE FEED INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS
THE FEED INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS THE FUEL INDUSTRY.
THE FUEL INDUSTRY. >> SO IF WE HAVE, DAVID, AN
>> SO IF WE HAVE, DAVID, AN ADEQUATE CORN SUPPLY, CORN
ADEQUATE CORN SUPPLY, CORN REALLY ISN'T VERY HIGH IN PRICE.
REALLY ISN'T VERY HIGH IN PRICE. YOU ARE JUST SOMEWHAT OVER WHAT
YOU ARE JUST SOMEWHAT OVER WHAT I WILL CALL BREAK EVEN, IS THAT
I WILL CALL BREAK EVEN, IS THAT A FAIR ASSESSMENT?
A FAIR ASSESSMENT? >> RIGHT NOW, THAT'S A FAIR
>> RIGHT NOW, THAT'S A FAIR ASSESSMENT, YES.
ASSESSMENT, YES. >>WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DROP A
>>WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DROP A LITTLE BIT LOWER ON CORN?
LITTLE BIT LOWER ON CORN? >> ON YIELD WISE.
>> ON YIELD WISE. >>BEANS ARE STAYING HIGH.
>>BEANS ARE STAYING HIGH. >>UM, YOU KNOW, THAT WILL -- OF
>>UM, YOU KNOW, THAT WILL -- OF COURSE, I WOULD SAY AT THIS
COURSE, I WOULD SAY AT THIS POINT, PHIL WAS MENTIONING THE
POINT, PHIL WAS MENTIONING THE NUMBER OF ACRES WE PLANTED.
NUMBER OF ACRES WE PLANTED. WE WOULD PROBABLY SEE THOSE SAME
WE WOULD PROBABLY SEE THOSE SAME ACRES IF NOT MORE CORN NEXT
ACRES IF NOT MORE CORN NEXT YEAR.
YEAR. THE MARKET FIGURES IT OUT.
THE MARKET FIGURES IT OUT. THAT'S WHAT THE MARKET IS THERE
THAT'S WHAT THE MARKET IS THERE FOR.
FOR. IF WE COME IN SHORT, THE MARKET
IF WE COME IN SHORT, THE MARKET IS GOING TO GO HIGHER.
IS GOING TO GO HIGHER. THERE IS ALWAYS OTHER OPTIONS
THERE IS ALWAYS OTHER OPTIONS FOR FEED.
FOR FEED. OF COURSE, WITH GRAIN PRIVATE
OF COURSE, WITH GRAIN PRIVATE NOW AND ETHANOL, WE HAVE A LOT
NOW AND ETHANOL, WE HAVE A LOT OF BYPRODUCTS THE LIVESTOCK
OF BYPRODUCTS THE LIVESTOCK USERS ARE USING AT THAT POINT.
USERS ARE USING AT THAT POINT. THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS SUCH AS
THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS SUCH AS USING WHEAT OR SOME OTHER FEED
USING WHEAT OR SOME OTHER FEED ALTERNATIVES.
ALTERNATIVES. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TALKED IN THE
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TALKED IN THE PAST ABOUT HOW WE BUILD OUR
PAST ABOUT HOW WE BUILD OUR EXPORTS, AND WE HAVE COME OFF
EXPORTS, AND WE HAVE COME OFF APPEARED WHERE WE HAVE HAD
APPEARED WHERE WE HAVE HAD SEVEN, EIGHT DOLLAR CORN, AND WE
SEVEN, EIGHT DOLLAR CORN, AND WE HAVE LOST THAT -- SOME OF OUR
HAVE LOST THAT -- SOME OF OUR MARKETS.
MARKETS. SO THE CHANCE NOW OF THE MARKET
SO THE CHANCE NOW OF THE MARKET PRICES COME BACK DOWN, WE WILL
PRICES COME BACK DOWN, WE WILL BE HOPEFULLY BUILDING SOME OF
BE HOPEFULLY BUILDING SOME OF THAT MARKET BACK UP.
THAT MARKET BACK UP. BUT GENERALLY, GOING BY THE
BUT GENERALLY, GOING BY THE PRICE, THE AMERICAN FARMER, HE
PRICE, THE AMERICAN FARMER, HE IS GOING TO PLANT WHATEVER --
IS GOING TO PLANT WHATEVER -- YOU KNOW, IF BEANS ARE MORE
YOU KNOW, IF BEANS ARE MORE PROFITABLE, THEN WE WILL PLANT
PROFITABLE, THEN WE WILL PLANT MORE BEANS.
MORE BEANS. IF, COULD, YOU SAY WE HAVE A
IF, COULD, YOU SAY WE HAVE A SHORTAGE, THEN WE WILL PROBABLY
SHORTAGE, THEN WE WILL PROBABLY BE PLANTING MORE CORN NEXT YEAR.
BE PLANTING MORE CORN NEXT YEAR. WE WILL RESPOND TO WHAT THE
WE WILL RESPOND TO WHAT THE MARKET WANTS US TO DO.
MARKET WANTS US TO DO. >>FARMERS OFTEN TEND TO RESPOND
>>FARMERS OFTEN TEND TO RESPOND TO THE MARKETPLACE.
TO THE MARKETPLACE. IF YOU LOOK BACK AT OLD FARM
IF YOU LOOK BACK AT OLD FARM BILLS WHERE WE HAD SET ASIDE
BILLS WHERE WE HAD SET ASIDE PROGRAMS AND THAT, AND I THINK
PROGRAMS AND THAT, AND I THINK WHEN WE GOT INTO THE WHOLE
WHEN WE GOT INTO THE WHOLE FREEDOM TO FARM BILL, FARMERS
FREEDOM TO FARM BILL, FARMERS WANTED TO RESPOND TO MARKET
WANTED TO RESPOND TO MARKET CONDITIONS.
CONDITIONS. THUS, I THINK IT IS HEALTHY FOR
THUS, I THINK IT IS HEALTHY FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION THAN
BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION THAN FARMERS WILL STEP UP TO THE
FARMERS WILL STEP UP TO THE TABLE AND FINE TUNE THEIR
TABLE AND FINE TUNE THEIR OPERATIONS TO SEE WHETHER THEY
OPERATIONS TO SEE WHETHER THEY PLANT MORE CORN OR SOYBEANS,
PLANT MORE CORN OR SOYBEANS, GIVEN THE PRICES.
GIVEN THE PRICES. >>DAVID MENTIONED ETHANOL.
>>DAVID MENTIONED ETHANOL. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE INCREASE IN
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE INCREASE IN ETHANOL USAGE IN TRANSPORTATION
ETHANOL USAGE IN TRANSPORTATION FUEL.
FUEL. WE HAVE BEEN AT 10% FOR QUITE
WE HAVE BEEN AT 10% FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE
SOME TIME, AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE 15%.
15%. THERE IS FLEX FUEL, COULD BE
THERE IS FLEX FUEL, COULD BE 85%.
85%. IS THERE ANY CONCERN FROM
IS THERE ANY CONCERN FROM ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU'S POINT OF
ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU'S POINT OF VIEW, OTHER YOU AS A FARMER THAT
VIEW, OTHER YOU AS A FARMER THAT WHEN WE START USING SO MUCH
WHEN WE START USING SO MUCH ETHANOL IN OUR TRANSPORTATION
ETHANOL IN OUR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, THAT WE MIGHT BE
NEEDS, THAT WE MIGHT BE SHORTCHANGING THE OTHER ASPECTS
SHORTCHANGING THE OTHER ASPECTS THAT THERE MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH
THAT THERE MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH FOR FEED FOR CATTLE AND THEN THE
FOR FEED FOR CATTLE AND THEN THE MEAT PRICE GOES OUT OF CONTROL
MEAT PRICE GOES OUT OF CONTROL OR ANY OTHER NEEDS?
OR ANY OTHER NEEDS? >> WELL, WE ARE ALWAYS SENSITIVE
>> WELL, WE ARE ALWAYS SENSITIVE TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRY.
TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRY. BEING A LIVESTOCK PRODUCER, I
BEING A LIVESTOCK PRODUCER, I FEEL THAT PAIN WHEN YOU SEE THE
FEEL THAT PAIN WHEN YOU SEE THE VOLATILITY IN THE MARKETPLACE.
VOLATILITY IN THE MARKETPLACE. BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, AS A
BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, AS A LIVESTOCK PRODUCER, I AM THE
LIVESTOCK PRODUCER, I AM THE BENEFICIARY, OF CO PRODUCTS,
BENEFICIARY, OF CO PRODUCTS, WHETHER IT IS GLUTEN, COMING OUT
WHETHER IT IS GLUTEN, COMING OUT OF ETHANOL PLANT, OR PUT IN HOG
OF ETHANOL PLANT, OR PUT IN HOG OPERATIONS OR HOG DIETS.
OPERATIONS OR HOG DIETS. I DO THINK THERE IS BENEFITS ALL
I DO THINK THERE IS BENEFITS ALL THE WAY AROUND.
THE WAY AROUND. AND AS WE TRY TO CREATE MORE
AND AS WE TRY TO CREATE MORE DEMAND FOR THOSE PRODUCTS, I
DEMAND FOR THOSE PRODUCTS, I THINK LIVESTOCK CAN BE A MAJOR
THINK LIVESTOCK CAN BE A MAJOR BENEFICIARY OF IT.
BENEFICIARY OF IT. GOING FORWARD, I THINK THE
GOING FORWARD, I THINK THE BIGGER QUESTION IS, AS WE HAVE
BIGGER QUESTION IS, AS WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE REDUCTION IN
SEEN SOME OF THE REDUCTION IN THE USE OF GASOLINE IN THIS
THE USE OF GASOLINE IN THIS COUNTRY, COME DOWN, YOU KNOW, WE
COUNTRY, COME DOWN, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE REACHED A SATURATION POINT
HAVE REACHED A SATURATION POINT ON THE 10%.
ON THE 10%. SO IF WE ARE GOING TO GROW THE
SO IF WE ARE GOING TO GROW THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY, THAT WAS WHAT
ETHANOL INDUSTRY, THAT WAS WHAT BASICALLY WE APPLIED TO E.P.A.
BASICALLY WE APPLIED TO E.P.A. TO RAISE THAT LEVEL TO TRY TO
TO RAISE THAT LEVEL TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE AN INCREASE IN
ACCOMMODATE AN INCREASE IN ETHANOL AND GASOLINE.
ETHANOL AND GASOLINE. >>LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO
>>LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE OF WHAT TO DO DURING
THE ISSUE OF WHAT TO DO DURING THE WINTER.
THE WINTER. I WANT TO FROM A COUPLE OF
I WANT TO FROM A COUPLE OF PERSPECTIVES.
PERSPECTIVES. SILTATION PROBLEMS, SOIL RUNNING
SILTATION PROBLEMS, SOIL RUNNING OFF THE FIELDS IF YOU DO
OFF THE FIELDS IF YOU DO TRADITIONAL FARMING.
TRADITIONAL FARMING. ARE CUPPER CROP THE ANSWER, DOES
ARE CUPPER CROP THE ANSWER, DOES THE FARM BUREAU OR DO YOU THINK
THE FARM BUREAU OR DO YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE?
IS APPROPRIATE? I AS AN ORGANIZATION, H, WE HAVE
I AS AN ORGANIZATION, H, WE HAVE ALWAYS PROMOTED BEST MANAGEMENT
ALWAYS PROMOTED BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. YOU LOOK BACK OVER
PRACTICES. YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES OF
THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES OF FARMING IN ILLINOIS, AND IF YOU
FARMING IN ILLINOIS, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE ADVANCED MANAGEMENT
LOOK AT THE ADVANCED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT INTO
SYSTEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT INTO PLACE WITH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT
PLACE WITH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE ADAPTED IN BEING ABLE TO
WE HAVE ADAPTED IN BEING ABLE TO SPREAD OUR FERTILIZER BY THE
SPREAD OUR FERTILIZER BY THE SQUARE FOOT WITH GLOBAL
SQUARE FOOT WITH GLOBAL POSITIONING, AND IF YOU LOOK AT
POSITIONING, AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE DONE ON THE TILLAGE
WHAT WE HAVE DONE ON THE TILLAGE SIGN FOR NO-TILL, MINIMUM-TILL,
SIGN FOR NO-TILL, MINIMUM-TILL, WE HAVE ADAPTED THOSE
WE HAVE ADAPTED THOSE TECHNOLOGIES QUITE WELL.
TECHNOLOGIES QUITE WELL. HAVING SAID THAT, WHEN WE LOOK
HAVING SAID THAT, WHEN WE LOOK AT WATER SHEDS, I THINK WE ARE
AT WATER SHEDS, I THINK WE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED WITH SAYING CAN
ALWAYS CONCERNED WITH SAYING CAN WE DO A BETTER JOB OF MANAGING
WE DO A BETTER JOB OF MANAGING RESOURCES AROUND THE WATERSHEDS,
RESOURCES AROUND THE WATERSHEDS, WHETHER IT IS THE CONSERVATION
WHETHER IT IS THE CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, CRP, COVER
ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, CRP, COVER CROPS, THOSE ARE ALL TOOLS
CROPS, THOSE ARE ALL TOOLS FARMERS UTILIZE IN THEIR TOOLBOX
FARMERS UTILIZE IN THEIR TOOLBOX TO TRY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY IN
TO TRY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY IN THOSE VARIOUS WATERSHEDS.
THOSE VARIOUS WATERSHEDS. >>DO YOU OR YOUR NEIGHBORING
>>DO YOU OR YOUR NEIGHBORING FARMERS HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH
FARMERS HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH REGARD TO CUPPER CROPS?
REGARD TO CUPPER CROPS? >> CUPPER CROPS IS ONE OF THE
>> CUPPER CROPS IS ONE OF THE HOT TOPICS RIGHT NOW.
HOT TOPICS RIGHT NOW. IF YOU GO TO ANY AGRICULTURAL
IF YOU GO TO ANY AGRICULTURAL MEETINGS, FARM PROGRESS SHOW, I
MEETINGS, FARM PROGRESS SHOW, I THINK PROBABLY -- I DON'T KNOW
THINK PROBABLY -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO THAT, H.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO THAT, H. >>NOT THIS YEAR.
>>NOT THIS YEAR. >>BUT IN DECATUR THIS YEAR, THEY
>>BUT IN DECATUR THIS YEAR, THEY HAD TEST PLOTS FROM THE COVER
HAD TEST PLOTS FROM THE COVER CROPS.
CROPS. THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS COMING
THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS COMING OUT THAT HELPS ENRICH YOUR SOIL,
OUT THAT HELPS ENRICH YOUR SOIL, HELPS THE WATER FILTRATE DOWN
HELPS THE WATER FILTRATE DOWN BETTER. WE TALK ABOUT RADISHES
BETTER. WE TALK ABOUT RADISHES AND TURNIPS, NOT LIKE THE ONES
AND TURNIPS, NOT LIKE THE ONES IN YOUR GARDEN, BUT BIG ONES OUT
IN YOUR GARDEN, BUT BIG ONES OUT THERE THAT HELP BREAK UP THE
THERE THAT HELP BREAK UP THE SOIL, HELP ABSORB ANY LEFT OVER
SOIL, HELP ABSORB ANY LEFT OVER NUTRIENTS FROM, SAY, THE CORN OR
NUTRIENTS FROM, SAY, THE CORN OR THE SOYBEANS.
THE SOYBEANS. SOME OF THEM THAT PROVIDE
SOME OF THEM THAT PROVIDE NITROGEN FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
NITROGEN FOR THE NEXT YEAR. SO THIS IS A BIG TOPIC.
SO THIS IS A BIG TOPIC. LIKE YOU SAY, ON MY NEIGHBORS, I
LIKE YOU SAY, ON MY NEIGHBORS, I AM IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS A
AM IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF NICE FLAT GROUND, BUT
LOT OF NICE FLAT GROUND, BUT THERE IS ALSO ROLLING HILLS.
THERE IS ALSO ROLLING HILLS. SO PUTTING THIS ON THAT ROLLING
SO PUTTING THIS ON THAT ROLLING GROUND HELPS PRESERVE THE SOIL
GROUND HELPS PRESERVE THE SOIL THAT IS THERE, AND DOING THINGS
THAT IS THERE, AND DOING THINGS LIKE THAT.
LIKE THAT. >>YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT -- I AM
>>YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT -- I AM SORRY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE, YOU
SORRY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT RADISHES THIS
ARE TALKING ABOUT RADISHES THIS BIG?
BIG? >> YES.
>> YES. >>NOT FOR MARKET?
>>NOT FOR MARKET? >> NOT FOR MARKET.
>> NOT FOR MARKET. >>IT STAYS IN THE GROUND.
>>IT STAYS IN THE GROUND. DEER LOVE THEM.
DEER LOVE THEM. >>GO AHEAD.
>>GO AHEAD. >>FARMERS HAVE STEPPED UP TO THE
>>FARMERS HAVE STEPPED UP TO THE TABLE IN THIS AREA GOING INTO
TABLE IN THIS AREA GOING INTO EFFECT ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE
EFFECT ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE NUTRIENT RESEARCH EDUCATION
NUTRIENT RESEARCH EDUCATION COUNCIL COMMONLY KNOWN AS ENREC,
COUNCIL COMMONLY KNOWN AS ENREC, AND FARMERS PARTICIPATE WITH
AND FARMERS PARTICIPATE WITH TAKING A CHECK OFF FOR THE
TAKING A CHECK OFF FOR THE TONNAGE OF A FERTILIZER TO GO
TONNAGE OF A FERTILIZER TO GO INTO RESEARCH EDUCATION COUNCIL
INTO RESEARCH EDUCATION COUNCIL THAT IS PROMOTING BEST
THAT IS PROMOTING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN FARMING
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN FARMING OPERATIONS GOING FORWARD.
OPERATIONS GOING FORWARD. SO IN WORKING WITH THE
SO IN WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGO,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGO, WE ARE TRYING TO SET UP SYSTEM
WE ARE TRYING TO SET UP SYSTEM APPROACHES TO TRY TO DO THE VERY
APPROACHES TO TRY TO DO THE VERY BEST JOB WE CAN IN OUR FARMING
BEST JOB WE CAN IN OUR FARMING OPERATIONS AND TRULY MANAGING
OPERATIONS AND TRULY MANAGING THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND US.
THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND US. >>THERE WAS A WETLAND CREATED
>>THERE WAS A WETLAND CREATED OVER IN BLOOMINGTON SEVERAL
OVER IN BLOOMINGTON SEVERAL YEARS AGO CALLED THE GROVE AT
YEARS AGO CALLED THE GROVE AT KICKAPOO CREEK.
KICKAPOO CREEK. IT IS A SUBDIVISION, HOUSES
IT IS A SUBDIVISION, HOUSES AROUND A WETLAND.
AROUND A WETLAND. THERE IS AGRICULTURE TO THE
THERE IS AGRICULTURE TO THE NORTH.
NORTH. IT IS ROW CROPS.
IT IS ROW CROPS. IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO TWO
IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO TWO THINGS: ONE WAS TO HAVE THE
THINGS: ONE WAS TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF SILT GO
APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF SILT GO DOWNSTREAM BECAUSE NEW ORLEANS
DOWNSTREAM BECAUSE NEW ORLEANS WANTS SILT.
WANTS SILT. THEY DON'T WANT A LOT OF IT.
THEY DON'T WANT A LOT OF IT. THEY DON'T WANT NONE OF IT.
THEY DON'T WANT NONE OF IT. THEY WANT THE RIGHT AMOUNT TO
THEY WANT THE RIGHT AMOUNT TO FLOW.
FLOW. IT WAS ALSO TO LOOK AT NITRATE
IT WAS ALSO TO LOOK AT NITRATE LEVEL.
LEVEL. IN THE SURPRISE TO THE U.S.
IN THE SURPRISE TO THE U.S. E.P.A. AND I E.P.A., THEY
E.P.A. AND I E.P.A., THEY EXPECTED TILE DRAINAGE TO BE A
EXPECTED TILE DRAINAGE TO BE A SOURCE OF NITRATES COMING OUT.
SOURCE OF NITRATES COMING OUT. INSTEAD, IT WAS SURFACE RUN OFF.
INSTEAD, IT WAS SURFACE RUN OFF. THIS WAS JUST THE STUDY WAS JUST
THIS WAS JUST THE STUDY WAS JUST CONCLUDED.
CONCLUDED. ARE YOU SURPRISED AT THAT, AND
ARE YOU SURPRISED AT THAT, AND WHAT MIGHT THE -- AND I WILL SAY
WHAT MIGHT THE -- AND I WILL SAY THIS, THERE WAS TRADITIONAL ROW
THIS, THERE WAS TRADITIONAL ROW CROP TILLAGE.
CROP TILLAGE. THERE WAS NO TILL OR ANYTHING
THERE WAS NO TILL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
LIKE THAT. A SURPRISE TO YOU?
A SURPRISE TO YOU? >> I GUESS A MILD SURPRISE
>> I GUESS A MILD SURPRISE BECAUSE I THINK AS FARMERS, WE
BECAUSE I THINK AS FARMERS, WE ARE DOING A BETTER JOB OF
ARE DOING A BETTER JOB OF MANAGING THOSE RESOURCES THAT WE
MANAGING THOSE RESOURCES THAT WE PUT OUT THERE, WHETHER IT IS DRY
PUT OUT THERE, WHETHER IT IS DRY FERTILIZER OR THE NITROGEN,
FERTILIZER OR THE NITROGEN, ESPECIALLY IN CORN OPERATIONS.
ESPECIALLY IN CORN OPERATIONS. IT USED TO BE WHERE FARMERS
IT USED TO BE WHERE FARMERS WOULD JUST DO ONE APPLICATION
WOULD JUST DO ONE APPLICATION AND MAYBE IN THE FALL OF THE
AND MAYBE IN THE FALL OF THE YEAR WE ARE NOW SEEING SPLIT
YEAR WE ARE NOW SEEING SPLIT APPLICATIONS USING LESS
APPLICATIONS USING LESS NITROGEN.
NITROGEN. BUT GOING OVER THE FIELD
BUT GOING OVER THE FIELD MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET THAT
MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET THAT PLANT, THE NITROGEN WHEN THAT
PLANT, THE NITROGEN WHEN THAT PLANT NEEDS IT THE MOST.
PLANT NEEDS IT THE MOST. THAT'S PART OF SOME OF THE
THAT'S PART OF SOME OF THE TRIALS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON
TRIALS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON WITH THE COUNCIL FOR BEST
WITH THE COUNCIL FOR BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. >> CAN I JUMP ON THAT?
>> CAN I JUMP ON THAT? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >>WITH THE TECHNOLOGY, AND I
>>WITH THE TECHNOLOGY, AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE
THINK MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS COME OUT TO
HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS COME OUT TO THE FARM WITH GPS AND VARIABLE
THE FARM WITH GPS AND VARIABLE RATE.
RATE. YOU CAN TAKE A SAMPLE IN A
YOU CAN TAKE A SAMPLE IN A SECTION OF A FIELD, AND WE RUN
SECTION OF A FIELD, AND WE RUN LIKE TESTS FOR POTASSIUM AND
LIKE TESTS FOR POTASSIUM AND PHOSPHATE, AND THESE THINGS THAT
PHOSPHATE, AND THESE THINGS THAT WE BALANCE.
WE BALANCE. IF A CERTAIN AREA DOESN'T NEED
IF A CERTAIN AREA DOESN'T NEED ANYTHING WITH VARIABLE RATE
ANYTHING WITH VARIABLE RATE TECHNOLOGY, WE DO NOT APPLY ANY
TECHNOLOGY, WE DO NOT APPLY ANY TO THAT AREA.
TO THAT AREA. WE WILL ONLY APPLY WHAT WE NEED
WE WILL ONLY APPLY WHAT WE NEED AND WHAT WE KNOW THE CROP WILL
AND WHAT WE KNOW THE CROP WILL TAKE OFF.
TAKE OFF. BECAUSE WITH THESE PRICES TODAY,
BECAUSE WITH THESE PRICES TODAY, IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR US TO
IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR US TO OVER APPLY THE FERTILIZER OUT
OVER APPLY THE FERTILIZER OUT THERE IN THE FIELD.
THERE IN THE FIELD. WE ONLY WANT TO PUT WHAT WE NEED
WE ONLY WANT TO PUT WHAT WE NEED OUT THERE.
OUT THERE. WE CAN DO THIS NOW WITH THE GPS
WE CAN DO THIS NOW WITH THE GPS AND SOME OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT
AND SOME OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE.
WE HAVE. I THINK THIS THE LONG RUN, THIS
I THINK THIS THE LONG RUN, THIS WILL SAVE SOME OF THESE
WILL SAVE SOME OF THESE NUTRIENTS FROM POSSIBLY RUNNING
NUTRIENTS FROM POSSIBLY RUNNING OFF LIKE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT.
OFF LIKE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT. >>THE SAME MIGHT BE SET OF
>>THE SAME MIGHT BE SET OF PESTICIDES.
PESTICIDES. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. >>BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING ROUND-UP
>>BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING ROUND-UP RESISTANT WEEDS NOW.
RESISTANT WEEDS NOW. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE CREW
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE CREW THAT ROUNDUP, THE ONLY THING WE
THAT ROUNDUP, THE ONLY THING WE USE.
USE. THERE IS OTHER, LIKE HE WAS
THERE IS OTHER, LIKE HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE SPLIT
TALKING ABOUT THE SPLIT APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER.
APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER. WE HAVE DONE A SPLIT APPLICATION
WE HAVE DONE A SPLIT APPLICATION OF SAY PUT SOMETHING DOWN WHEN
OF SAY PUT SOMETHING DOWN WHEN WE FIRST PLANT THE CROP TO HOLD
WE FIRST PLANT THE CROP TO HOLD THE WEEDS BACK, AND THEN WHEN WE
THE WEEDS BACK, AND THEN WHEN WE COME BACK ABLE, WE ARE ABLE TO
COME BACK ABLE, WE ARE ABLE TO USE ROUND-UP AT A LOT LESSER
USE ROUND-UP AT A LOT LESSER RATE TO GET THE WEEDS THAT ARE
RATE TO GET THE WEEDS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
OUT THERE. IT IS JUST, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE
IT IS JUST, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE CONSTANTLY TWEAKING WHAT YOU ARE
CONSTANTLY TWEAKING WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
DOING. YOU DON'T DO THE SAME THING OVER
YOU DON'T DO THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. YOU ARE
AND OVER AGAIN. YOU ARE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CHANGE WHAT
CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CHANGE WHAT YOU DO.
YOU DO. >>I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT
>>I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IMAGE AS WE COME TO THE
ABOUT IMAGE AS WE COME TO THE END OF OUR HALF HOUR.
END OF OUR HALF HOUR. LET'S TALK -- YOU WERE A HOG
LET'S TALK -- YOU WERE A HOG FARMER AT ONE TIME?
FARMER AT ONE TIME? >> YES.
>> YES. >>NO LONGER?
>>NO LONGER? >> NOT FOR THE PRESENT TIME, BUT
>> NOT FOR THE PRESENT TIME, BUT WE ARE LOOKING TO GET BACK INTO
WE ARE LOOKING TO GET BACK INTO IT MAYBE IN ANOTHER YEAR.
IT MAYBE IN ANOTHER YEAR. >>BUT NOT IN LARGE NUMBERS?
>>BUT NOT IN LARGE NUMBERS? YOU WEREN'T A LARGE HOG FARMER?
YOU WEREN'T A LARGE HOG FARMER? >> IT DEPENDS WHAT YOU CONSIDER
>> IT DEPENDS WHAT YOU CONSIDER LARGE.
LARGE. WE RAISED 4,000 HOGS A YEAR.
WE RAISED 4,000 HOGS A YEAR. >>4,000.
>>4,000. THERE ARE, OF COURSE R THERE ARE
THERE ARE, OF COURSE R THERE ARE GROUPS IN AMERICA WHO HAVE BEEN
GROUPS IN AMERICA WHO HAVE BEEN OPPOSED TO WHAT THEY CALL
OPPOSED TO WHAT THEY CALL FACTORY FARMS, HAVING RAISED
FACTORY FARMS, HAVING RAISED LARGE NUMBERS OF HOGS.
LARGE NUMBERS OF HOGS. HAVE YOU DONE A GOOD JOB OF
HAVE YOU DONE A GOOD JOB OF EXPLAINING WHAT THOSE KINDS OF
EXPLAINING WHAT THOSE KINDS OF OPERATIONS ARE?
OPERATIONS ARE? ARE THEY FACTORY FARMS, IN YOUR
ARE THEY FACTORY FARMS, IN YOUR OPINION?
OPINION? >> WELL, I THINK WE --
>> WELL, I THINK WE -- >>I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, I
>>I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, I AM SORRY!
AM SORRY! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). >>WE HAVE LEARNED OUR LESSON IN
>>WE HAVE LEARNED OUR LESSON IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE.
PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE. WE HAVE DONE PROBABLY AS GOOD A
WE HAVE DONE PROBABLY AS GOOD A JOBS A ANYBODY ON THE FACE OF
JOBS A ANYBODY ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH OF PRODUCING.
THIS EARTH OF PRODUCING. NOW WE ARE COMING AROUND WHERE
NOW WE ARE COMING AROUND WHERE WE ARE HAVING TO DO A BETTER JOB
WE ARE HAVING TO DO A BETTER JOB OF TELLING OUR STORY AND
OF TELLING OUR STORY AND EDUCATING THAT CONSUMER.
EDUCATING THAT CONSUMER. IN 2008, THAT WAS KIND OF A WAKE
IN 2008, THAT WAS KIND OF A WAKE UP CALL FOR US IN ILLINOIS WHERE
UP CALL FOR US IN ILLINOIS WHERE I GOT BASICALLY ALL THE
I GOT BASICALLY ALL THE COMMODITY GROUPS TOGETHER.
COMMODITY GROUPS TOGETHER. WE MET AT THE STATE FAIR AND
WE MET AT THE STATE FAIR AND SAID "HOW DO WE DO A BETTER JOB
SAID "HOW DO WE DO A BETTER JOB OF TELLING THAT STORY TO THE CON
OF TELLING THAT STORY TO THE CON YOU HCONSUMER AND RECONNECT WITE
YOU HCONSUMER AND RECONNECT WITE CONSUMER?"
CONSUMER?" OUT OF THAT RESULTED THE FAMILY
OUT OF THAT RESULTED THE FAMILY CAMPAIGN.
CAMPAIGN. WE HAVE TAKEN SOME CHICAGO FIELD
WE HAVE TAKEN SOME CHICAGO FIELD MOMS, AS WE CALL THEM OUT TO
MOMS, AS WE CALL THEM OUT TO VARIOUS PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE
VARIOUS PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE SITES IN ILLINOIS, WHETHER THAT
SITES IN ILLINOIS, WHETHER THAT IS HOG OPERATION, CATTLE
IS HOG OPERATION, CATTLE OPERATION, A GRAIN OPERATION,
OPERATION, A GRAIN OPERATION, CORN SOYBEANS, AND TRY TO
CORN SOYBEANS, AND TRY TO RECONNECT THAT CONSUMER WITH
RECONNECT THAT CONSUMER WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN PRODUCTION
WHAT IS GOING ON IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE.
AGRICULTURE. I THINK THE AMAZING PART, AND
I THINK THE AMAZING PART, AND YOU GET BACK TO YOUR QUESTION
YOU GET BACK TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT FACTORY FARMS, IT IS
ABOUT FACTORY FARMS, IT IS REALLY CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS,
REALLY CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS, ESPECIALLY ON THE LIVESTOCK
ESPECIALLY ON THE LIVESTOCK SIDE.
SIDE. WHEN WE BROUGHT THOSE MOMS INTO
WHEN WE BROUGHT THOSE MOMS INTO SOME OF THOSE ENVIRONMENTS, THEY
SOME OF THOSE ENVIRONMENTS, THEY FOUND OUT, NUMBER ONE, THAT THE
FOUND OUT, NUMBER ONE, THAT THE ANIMALS WERE BETTER CARED MORE
ANIMALS WERE BETTER CARED MORE THAN THEY WERE WHEN THEY WERE IN
THAN THEY WERE WHEN THEY WERE IN OPEN HOUSING WHERE THEY WOULD
OPEN HOUSING WHERE THEY WOULD BEAT EACH OTHER UP.
BEAT EACH OTHER UP. NUMBER TWO, THEY WERE VERY
NUMBER TWO, THEY WERE VERY CLEAN.
CLEAN. NUMBER THREE, WE COULD CONTROL
NUMBER THREE, WE COULD CONTROL THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE ENVIRONMENT. SO THEY WEREN'T OUT THERE IN
SO THEY WEREN'T OUT THERE IN 100-DEGREE HEAT OR FIGHTING
100-DEGREE HEAT OR FIGHTING SNOWDRIFTS.
SNOWDRIFTS. WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF
WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND
ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE.
PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE. I THINK ALONG WITH THOSE
I THINK ALONG WITH THOSE ADVANCEMENTS, WE HAVE GOT TO DO
ADVANCEMENTS, WE HAVE GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF INFORMING PEOPLE
A BETTER JOB OF INFORMING PEOPLE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING AND IN
OF WHAT WE ARE DOING AND IN PRODUCING THAT FOOD.
PRODUCING THAT FOOD. >>AS BOARD MEMBER OF THE
>>AS BOARD MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU, WHAT IS
ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU, WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
YOUR ROLE? >> MY ROLE.
>> MY ROLE. >>I MEAN TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT
>>I MEAN TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT WITH REGARD TO WHAT PHILIP IS
WITH REGARD TO WHAT PHILIP IS TALKING ABOUT?
TALKING ABOUT? >> I JUST HELP FACILITATE ALL
>> I JUST HELP FACILITATE ALL THE COUNTIES THAT ARE IN MY
THE COUNTIES THAT ARE IN MY DISTRICT WHICH PEORIA IS PART OF
DISTRICT WHICH PEORIA IS PART OF THAT.
THAT. BUT FARM BUREAU, WE ARE A GRASS
BUT FARM BUREAU, WE ARE A GRASS ROOTS ORGANIZATION.
ROOTS ORGANIZATION. EVERYTHING COMES FROM THE BOTTOM
EVERYTHING COMES FROM THE BOTTOM UP.
UP. IDEAS LIKE PHIL TALKED ABOUT ARE
IDEAS LIKE PHIL TALKED ABOUT ARE THINGS THAT MAYBE YOUR PEOPLE
THINGS THAT MAYBE YOUR PEOPLE WERE SITTING AROUND TALKING
WERE SITTING AROUND TALKING ABOUT IN YOUR LOCAL COUNTY, YOUR
ABOUT IN YOUR LOCAL COUNTY, YOUR LOCAL TOWN, AND SAY "HEY, THAT
LOCAL TOWN, AND SAY "HEY, THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA.
WAS A GOOD IDEA. AS HE" AS FARM BUREAU, THAT'S
AS HE" AS FARM BUREAU, THAT'S WHAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS
WHAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS FOR.
FOR. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT THE
WE ARE SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT THE IDEAS THAT COME FROM OUR MEMBERS
IDEAS THAT COME FROM OUR MEMBERS AND PROMOTE AGRICULTURE AND
AND PROMOTE AGRICULTURE AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING OF THE
PROMOTE WELL-BEING OF THE FAMILIES THAT LIVE DOWN ON THE
FAMILIES THAT LIVE DOWN ON THE FARM.
FARM. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ABOUT.
THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ABOUT. >>REAL BRIEFLY AT THE END HERE,
>>REAL BRIEFLY AT THE END HERE, FARM PRICES OF THE LAND.
FARM PRICES OF THE LAND. ISN'T IT GETTING A LITTLE OUT OF
ISN'T IT GETTING A LITTLE OUT OF CONTROL?
CONTROL? WE ARE SEEING, IF I HAVE BEEN
WE ARE SEEING, IF I HAVE BEEN SEEING IT, $14,000 AN ACRE,
SEEING IT, $14,000 AN ACRE, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, THAT'S A
THINGS OF THAT NATURE, THAT'S A LITTLE EXPENSIVE, WHEN CORN IS
LITTLE EXPENSIVE, WHEN CORN IS FOUR AND A HALF BUCKS A BUSHEL.
FOUR AND A HALF BUCKS A BUSHEL. I DEFINITELY THINK THE LAND
I DEFINITELY THINK THE LAND PRICE WILL LEVEL OFF, AND IT
PRICE WILL LEVEL OFF, AND IT MIGHT COME DOWN HERE IN THE NEAR
MIGHT COME DOWN HERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. BUT WE ARE TALKING
FUTURE. BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WE HAVE HAD ALL TIME LOW
ABOUT WE HAVE HAD ALL TIME LOW IN INTEREST RATES WHICH IS MADE
IN INTEREST RATES WHICH IS MADE IT ATTRACTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO
IT ATTRACTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO FINANCE.
FINANCE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT STOCK
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT STOCK MARKETS HAVEN'T BEEN VERY GOOD.
MARKETS HAVEN'T BEEN VERY GOOD. SO PEOPLE THAT HAD MONEY TO
SO PEOPLE THAT HAD MONEY TO INVEST WOULD PROBABLY HAVE
INVEST WOULD PROBABLY HAVE LOOKED TO PUT IT INTO LAND
LOOKED TO PUT IT INTO LAND INSTEAD OF OTHER INVESTMENTS.
INSTEAD OF OTHER INVESTMENTS. THEN WE ALSO HAVE GOOD GRAIN
THEN WE ALSO HAVE GOOD GRAIN MARKETS THE LAST THREE, FOUR
MARKETS THE LAST THREE, FOUR YEARS.
YEARS. FOR THOSE REASONS, THAT'S WHY WE
FOR THOSE REASONS, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SEEN HIGH MARKETS, AND
HAVE SEEN HIGH MARKETS, AND GENERALLY, MOST OF THE TIME WHEN
GENERALLY, MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THE MARKETS GO LOW, THEY GO
THE MARKETS GO LOW, THEY GO LOWER THAN THEY SHOULD BE.
LOWER THAN THEY SHOULD BE. WHEN THEY GO HIGH, THEY GO
WHEN THEY GO HIGH, THEY GO HIGHER THAN THEY SHOULD BE.
HIGHER THAN THEY SHOULD BE. PRICE OF LAND IS PROBABLY GOING
PRICE OF LAND IS PROBABLY GOING TO LEVEL OFF AT SOMETIME IN THE
TO LEVEL OFF AT SOMETIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
NEAR FUTURE. WE STARTED THE CONVERSATION
WE STARTED THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FARM BILL.
ABOUT THE FARM BILL. I WANT TO FINISH ON IT.
I WANT TO FINISH ON IT. REAL BRIEFLY, ILLINOIS FARM
REAL BRIEFLY, ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU, WHAT IS THE TAKE ON
BUREAU, WHAT IS THE TAKE ON SOMETHING HAPPENING BY OCTOBER 1
SOMETHING HAPPENING BY OCTOBER 1 AND WHAT FORM MIGHT IT TAKE?
AND WHAT FORM MIGHT IT TAKE? >> WELL --
>> WELL -- >>YOUR BEST GUESS.
>>YOUR BEST GUESS. OUR BEST GUESS WE WILL PUT
OUR BEST GUESS WE WILL PUT ENOUGH PRESSURE ON CONGRESS TO
ENOUGH PRESSURE ON CONGRESS TO GET THE FOOD NUTRITION BILL
GET THE FOOD NUTRITION BILL THROUGH THE HOUSE TO GET TO OUR
THROUGH THE HOUSE TO GET TO OUR CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. THAT'S THE FIRST STEP THAT HAS
THAT'S THE FIRST STEP THAT HAS TO HAPPEN.
TO HAPPEN. GET CONFEREES, AND TRY TO
GET CONFEREES, AND TRY TO RECONCILE THE DIFFERENCES IN
RECONCILE THE DIFFERENCES IN BOTH BILLS.
BOTH BILLS. >>BOTH NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE
>>BOTH NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE TOGETHER?
TOGETHER? >> THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO
>> THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN.
SEE HAPPEN. >>PHILIP NELSON, PRESIDENT OF
>>PHILIP NELSON, PRESIDENT OF THE ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU, THANKS
THE ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, AND
SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, AND DAVID SERVEN, BOARD MEMBER,
DAVID SERVEN, BOARD MEMBER, THANK YOU BOTH OF YOU FOR
THANK YOU BOTH OF YOU FOR DRIVING LONG DISTANCES TO GET
DRIVING LONG DISTANCES TO GET MERE.
MERE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND
I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND EXPERTISE.
EXPERTISE. WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK, AS
WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK, AS PROGRAM NUMBER TWO, OUR 26TH
PROGRAM NUMBER TWO, OUR 26TH SEASON OF "AT ISSUE." WE WELCOME
SEASON OF "AT ISSUE." WE WELCOME THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PEORIA,
THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PEORIA, JIM ARDIS, AND CITY MANAGER
JIM ARDIS, AND CITY MANAGER PATRICK YOU WILPATPATRICK ULRICT
PATRICK YOU WILPATPATRICK ULRICT ISSUE."