Illinois soybean growers take
advantage of sunny skies PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — After two years of soggy spring weather, Illinois farmers have taken advantage of this year’s sunny skies to get their soybeans into the ground early.
Farmers have planted 11 percent of their soybeans, compared with the five-year average of 4 percent for this time of year, according to the state’s weekly crop report.
Patrick Kirchhofer, manager of the Peoria County Farm Bureau, said farmers are way ahead of where they’ve been in the last couple years.
“The last two years have been very stressful,” said farmer Kent Hodel, of Metamora. “Having the crops in three weeks earlier this year means we can manage our crops a lot better.”
Dan Farney, who plans to plant this week, said he didn’t get his soybeans in until early June last year. He farms between Morton and Tremont in central Illinois.
Some farmers have turned to technology to give them a boost, said Earl Allen, interim director of the Tazewell County/Fulton County Extension office.
“They didn’t want to be late this year. In some cases, farmers up-sized equipment so they could plant faster,” he said.
Now that planting is under way, farmers just have to hope the rains come when the crops need them most - in August for soybeans and July for corn, Farney said.
The dry weather also has meant that corn has been planted earlier. According to the crop report, 87 percent of the corn crop has been planted, compared with 5 percent at this time last year.
TAEP program applications now available NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has released the 2010 application for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP). Applications can be submitted June 1-7 and should not be postmarked prior to June 1.
Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis, so producers are encouraged to apply early. This year’s program includes livestock equipment, cattle genetics, hay storage, feed storage, grain storage and producer diversification opportunities. To date, TAEP has provided cost share funds for more than 15,500 projects. A recent study has shown that for every state dollar invested, an additional $4.64 is generated in local economic activity.
New this year, the Cattle Genetics cost share opportunity has expanded to include some costs associated with bull soundness evaluations (BSE) and pregnancy testing. Also, Fruits and Vegetables have been moved to the priority area under Producer Diversification, allowing certain projects to be eligible for a 50 percent cost share.
Applications are available at most farm agencies including USDA Farm Service Agency, extension and Farm Bureau offices, as well as most farm supply stores. Producers can get important messages and updates on the program by calling 800-342-8206. For more information or to download an application, visit www.TN.gov/agriculture/enhancement
IDOA schedules pesticide pickup in Northwestern Illinois SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Residents of eight northwestern Illinois counties can dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s (IDOA) Agricultural Pesticide Clean Sweep program.
A Clean Sweep collection has been scheduled in late summer for Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, Knox, Mercer, Rock Island, Stephenson and Whiteside counties. The collection, which rotates among Illinois counties, is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide applicators and landowners who inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides with their property.
“There are two, big reasons to take advantage of this program,” Warren Goetsch, bureau chief of IDOA Environmental Programs, said. “First, it’s free. If individuals were to properly dispose of agrichemicals on their own, the cost would be expensive. But the department is able to provide the service free of charge thanks to a grant it obtained from the U.S. (Environmental Protection Agency).
“Second, the state of Illinois, not the program participant, will assume liability for the proper disposal of all materials collected.”
Participants must register the products they plan to dispose of by June 25. Registration is required to give the waste disposal contractor time to prepare for the different kinds of materials that will need to be handled. Forms may be obtained either by calling the IDOA’s Pesticide Hotline at 800-641-3934 or visiting one of the program sponsors.
Completed forms should be mailed or faxed to the IDOA. The mailing address is: Clean Sweep Program, Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL, 62794-9281. The fax number is 217-524-4882.
Colorful rooster removed by animal control officers ERLANGER, Ky. (AP) — There are plenty of ruffled feathers in a northern Kentucky neighborhood after animal control officers took away a rooster.
The colorful bird had made his home on a quiet cul-de-sac where the residents named him Cocky-Doodle-Do.
The Kentucky Enquirer reported 85 of Cocky’s friends and admirers signed a petition protesting Kenton County Animal Control capturing the free range rooster. He was put in exile on a farm for a while, but a resident brought him back home this week.
Among those crying “foul” at a City Council meeting Tuesday was Cheryl Mather, who donned a chicken suit in support of the rooster.
The council formed a “chicken committee” to see if any ordinances regulating fowl need changing.
Cocky was picked up after someone complained on April 14 that he pecked at some children.
Ohio teen charged in death of a juvenile alpaca HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio judge has ruled that a 17-year-old boy should be tried as an adult on charges that he stole a baby alpaca that he’s also accused of helping beat to death.
Authorities say Marcus Miller is one of three people involved in taking the 3-month-old alpaca from a farm near Middletown in January, beating the animal and dumping it in an abandoned barn.
Butler County Juvenile Judge Kathleen Romans on Friday set bond at $40,000 for Miller, of Madison Township in southwest Ohio.
Felony charges of grand theft, breaking and entering, tampering with evidence and vandalism head to a grand jury. A misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals stays in juvenile court.
The animal killed, named Masterpiece, was valued at $8,000.
A message seeking comment was left for Miller’s attorney. |
