By J. Larry Miller
July 3, 2013
What a difference a year makes. Last year the first week of July gave us temperatures in the 100’s and this same time in 2013 we have yet to make it to the mid-70’s and the first 2 days of July were rainy with farmers wishing that it would stop at least for a few days.
Larry Miller, executive director Franklin County Farm Bureau
All of this is making early corn look as good as I have ever seen. There is some April planted corn that is tasseling and pollination is very near. Wheat harvest is not complete and leaving farmers to wonder what condition it will be when harvest resumes.
Weeds are the main problem with resistance to herbicides making control almost impossible. Crop specialists are working on various formulations to try and control mares tail and water hemp. Ground conditions have been to wet for spraying this week which adds to the problem as weeds become more mature.
All of the rain has caused corn prices to fall into the $4 per bushel range and no doubt will get to $3 by harvest unless some problem arises.
I want to remind everyone that we are having our annual Farm Bureau/Country Financial Picnic on July 16th at 5 PM at the Franklin County 4-H Fairgrounds south of Rend Lake College. As a member all you have to do is come!
Last week our annual dues notices were sent out and we appreciate your support to Franklin County Farm Bureau.
Real Estate tax bills are out and landowners in Eastern, Ewing and Northern Townships saw lower bills because of the work of our members and our policy against backdoor referendums as was the case with the expansion of the Benton Library District. Your support of Farm Bureau by being a member helps us to work for you.
Not many people predicted the farm bill would be defeated, so it’s anyone’s guess what will happen when Congress returns next Monday July, 8 following the July 4 holiday recess. Over the past couple of days, we’ve been hearing that House leadership is strongly considering a proposal to split the commodity title, crop insurance, conservation and other “farm” programs from the nutrition title. Illinois Farm Bureau opposes this effort. Electoral math and fear of making crop insurance the biggest target (roughly $9 bil/yr) in a “stand alone” ($20 bil./yr.) farm bill represent the biggest reasons for opposing the idea. Also, it appears that passing a farm bill – minus the $80 bil./yr. nutrition title – is a non-starter with Senate agriculture committee chairman Debbie Stabenow.
Illinois Farm Bureau has joined AFBF, crop insurance groups, and others in a coalition letter to Speaker Boehner today that attempts to discourage the idea of splitting the farm bill.
The idea of redefining what constitutes a farm bill for the first time in decades seems to be motivated more to save political face than to get a bill done. Splitting the farm bill into multiple components plays into the strategy of groups like Heritage Action, Club for Growth, and Americans for Prosperity, who would rather see no commodity program, no crop insurance program, and no nutrition assistance. Their “divide and conquer” strategy to “reform” farm programs is well known.
Another idea being floated by Rep. Cheri Bustos, Rep. Bill Enyart and several of their Democratic ag committee colleagues would have the House take up the Senate farm bill, if the House is unable to move its own version. While there might be a political point to be made, that idea isn’t likely
Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.
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