Agricultural News in Piatt County, Illinois
Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA)
Will Not Support Economic Stimulus Package
The ICGA believes needed improvements to transportation
infrastructure and assistance to the struggling domestic
ethanol industry, are missing from the stimulus package.
The bill precludes the use of stimulus dollars to renovate
and construct locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi or
Illinois Rivers under the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability
Program. ICGA had requested $2 billion for the previously
authorized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works programs.
Likewise, the legislation fails to address the credit crunch
that currently threatens to shutter more ethanol plants which
have become such a critical contributor to the rural economic
landscape.
The House passed, and the Senate will be taking action on
the economic stimulus bill this week. "Congress should
remove any language in the stimulus bill that would inhibit
allocating funds for lock construction. ICGA is also asking
they take steps to address the credit freeze that is currently
threatening to drive more bankruptcies in the ethanol industry.
There is currently nothing in the stimulus package to assist
agriculture and these two steps would provide a boost to
this core industry that is fundamental to the long term health
of the U.S. economy," said Rob Elliott, ICGA president,
from Cameron, IL.
Corn prices are currently 50 cents below the cost of production
because of the decimated world economy which means corn farmers
won't be buying Ford and GM pickups, John Deere tractors,
and other goods and services, Elliott contends. |
Corn And Soybean Crop Meetings Soon
In Champaign and Bloomington
Crop production, pest management, economics, and the interactions
among them will be the emphasis of the 2009 University of
Illinois Corn and Soybean Classics. This series of regional
conferences is scheduled at six sites between January 6 and
January 15. The Champaign meeting is Wednesday, January 7;
the Bloomington meeting is Monday, January 12.
Topics include disease management with fungicides, rotation
decisions, corn and soybean nematode management, managing
nitrogen for profitability, acreage shifts needed in 2009,
and ‘new age' soybean insect management. Market updates
will be provided throughout the day, and CCA (education)
credits will be available.
The day-long programs will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m.
A noon lunch and a proceedings booklet, containing synopses
of all presentations, are provided to each registrant.
Adjournment at each site is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Scheduled site locations are as follows:
- January 7 (Wednesday): Champaign
I Hotel and Conference Center
- January 12 (Monday):
Bloomington Interstate Center
- January 13 (Tuesday):
Springfield Crowne Plaza
- January 14 (Wednesday): Moline
i wireless Center
- January 15 (Thursday): Malta Kishwaukee
College
Registration (fee $65) for the programs can be accomplished
several ways:
- Online registration is available at www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences
- Complete
the registration form and fax to (217) 333-5299 (available
24 hours a day)
- Call toll free (800) 321-1296 with
credit card information
More information: Aaron Hager
or Sandy Osterbur (217) 333-4424. |
Reed Elected By Corn Growers
Jim Reed of Monticello has been elected Chairman of the
Industrial Committee of the Illinois Corn Growers' Association.
Reed has been active in ICGA for many years. He is a former
President of the Piatt County Farm Bureau. The Illinois Corn
Growers' Association coordinates market development, legislative
initiatives, and public relations programs designed to benefit
Illinois corn producers. The Association is goverened by
a 15-member Board of Directors consisting of three at-large
directors and directors representing specific geographic
districts in Illinois.
The Illinois Corn Growers' Association is funded by member
dues. The related Illinois Corn Marketing Board administers
the corn checkoff funds from a fraction of a cent paid on
each bushel of corn sold, which finance corn research and
marketing efforts.
Reed was elected at the Illinois Corn Growers' meeting in
Bloomington November 25, 2008. |
Topflight Grain Moves
Headquarters To Monticello
Topflight
Grain Cooperative recently moved its main office from Bement
to Monticello. Relocating to Monticello were General Manager
Scott Docherty, Controller Chuck Bentley, and Accountant
Rodd Runyen. The Monticello location is more central to
Topflight's grain elevator locations at Atwood, Bement,
Cisco, Emery, LaPlace, Milmine, Maroa, Monticello, Pierson,
and Seymour. Topflight Grain Cooperative was formed from
a merger of Bement Grain, Unity Grain, and Cisco Grain
several years ago. Later Monticello Grain also became part
of what is now the largest grain elevator cooperative in
Illinois.
Topflight Grain Cooperative also is a part-owner
of United Prairie, a supplier of agricultural inputs, and
One Earth Energy, LLC, which is constructing a 100-million-gallon
dry-mill corn processing plant in Gibson City, Illinois,
to make ethanol and distiller's grains. Mr. Docherty is
presently Chairman of the Board of One Earth Energy.
Visit Topflight Grain's website at www.topflightgrain.com. |
|
|
|