For Central Illinois Farmers & Rural Dwellers

By Tim Alexander for the News Bulletin

Pork Producer Fields Optimists’ Questions 

One gentleman wanted to know how sows are used in the production process. Main replied that sows generally produce four or five litters, or about 2.2 per year, before they are sold for slaughter. The meat is then sold to production facilities such as the Bob Evans Farms plant near Galva, Illinois, for use in sausage.

Another Optimist asked if pigs headed for slaughter are given enough exercise. Main said that exercise for pigs destined for slaughter is not really an issue because of their short life cycle, but that they are well cared for. When asked if pigs are smart, Main confirmed that pigs are considered very intelligent animals.

Main said one of the biggest challenges pork producers face right now-- aside from threats to their livelihoods from animal and environmental activist groups-- is turning a profit. Prices producers fetch for their pigs are remaining low due to a robust domestic market, he said, though China’s decision to lift its ban on U.S. pork, along with other recent positive developments, will soon help balance domestic supply and demand and return producers to profitability.

No one in the Peoria Optimist Club appeared worried about H1N1 and its association with pork products, as pork was the main dish served during the luncheon at Barrack’s Cater Inn. When finally asked about H1N1 and pigs, Main responded with a grin. “We’re more concerned now with trying to keep people from infecting pigs,” he said.

Rains Delay Harvest...Again

PEORIA - Peoria County Farm Bureau manager Patrick Kirchhofer said during a phone conversation last week that before a lingering storm system settled over central Illinois the county’s corn harvest was only 30 to 40 percent complete. However, “a majority” of the soybean crop had been harvested before persistent rains returned to the area and settled in last week. 

“This is the latest harvest we have experienced in a very long time, and it can be attributed to a wetter than normal spring. Planting was delayed and throughout the summer months it remained cool, with plenty of moisture slowing the progress of the growing crops. As we headed into the fall season, October was wet and cool, which is not conducive to good dry down and crop maturity,” Kirchhofer said. 

“We did get about two weeks of excellent weather the first part of November when the majority of the crops were taken down, but (as of last Friday) we’re in a wet pattern again and it’s going to be a while before producers are going to be able to get back in the fields.”

Nearly 90 percent of soybeans are harvested in Peoria County, though crop experts are saying many farmers are experiencing small pod growth.

Could Harvest Affect Peoria Farm Show?

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - John Sampson, marketing director for Midwest Shows, Inc. (host of the Greater Peoria Farm Show, being held at the Peoria Civic Center from December 1-3) said from his home in Cedar Rapids last week that show officials are concerned that the late harvest may keep a lot of farmers from attending the annual event, billed as the largest indoor farm show in the Midwest and the first big show “following” harvest.

“Darned right we’re concerned,” said Sampson. “We’re just hoping that farmers will be far enough along that they can take one day out from harvest to go to a darned good farm show.”

In addition to the late harvest, show organizers fear the general state of the economy might dampen some farmers’ enthusiasm for purchasing new, expensive equipment for next year. “There’s an uncertainty out there that I haven’t seen for a long time, a lack of confidence that things are going to get better,” Sampson opined. “Agriculture is not in that bad of shape, but the attitude of apprehension is making everyone doubly-conscious of making major acquisitions.” 

ISA Unveils New Display at Farm Show

BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington-based Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) announced they will unveil a new display touting soy biodiesel, the sustainability of soybean production, soy foods and soy educational materials at next week’s Greater Peoria Farm Show. ISA field coordinators Kent and Janet Hodel will also be present at farm shows in northwestern Illinois, northern Illinois, the Quad Cities, the Midwest Ag Expo, National Farm Machinery Show and many others. Make sure to stop by the ISA’s new booth at the Peoria show, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 through Thursday, Dec. 3.

Illinois Farm Fact:

This week, instead of an Illinois Farm Fact, we will provide the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2009 breakdown for the cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner, as reported by the Illinois Farm Bureau News Service. According to the AFBF, the cost for turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings dropped 4 percent in price from 2008. The 24th annual AFBF survey found that the average cost for a feast for ten people is $42.91, a $1.70 price decrease from last year’s average of $44.61.

“As we gather this Thanksgiving for food and fellowship, it is fitting to take a moment to recognize and give thanks, not only for the abundant food we enjoy as Americans, but for the hard-working farm families across our nation who produce it,” said AFBF president Bob Stallman. 

(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications. He is the recipient of the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s (ICGA) 2008 Excellence in Print Media Award.)