Your daily rundown of the issues affecting Illinois farmers. RFD Radio hosts Rita Frazer, DeLoss Jahnke and Jim Taylor are your boots on the ground, keeping you up to date on the news stories, market trends and weather outlooks that could affect your farm. This is the daily early morning broadcast repurposed as a podcast.If you have questions or suggestions for content, please contact radio@ilfb.org.
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Sep 29, 2026 · 23:01
Sep 28, 2026 · 23:01
Record diesel prices and political worries were playing a key role in White House planning to limit exports of the key fuel for agriculture. RFD Radio Network's Washington…
Sep 25, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, executive director of government affairs and commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, discusses the push in D.C. for a permanent Farm Bill and the push in…
Sep 24, 2026 · 23:01
Bill Graff and Joan Hammann with the state office for the USDA FSA announce 2026 & 2027 enrollment for ARC & PLC. Illinois Farm Bureau president Philip Nelson says harvest is yet…
Sep 23, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson discusses diesel prices, farm bill updates and the push for the Family Farm Preservation Act during the fall veto session in…
Sep 22, 2026 · 23:01
RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye Reports on last minute farm bill amendments being ruled out of order by Senate Ag Chair John Boozman. Brent Corners,…
Sep 21, 2026 · 23:01
Ag Democrats may be unwilling to pass a senate farm bill, at least until after the November elections, based on comments at last week’s party-line vote advancing the bill. RFD…
Sep 18, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau's Kevin Semlow, executive director of Government Affairs and Commodities, returns from the nation's capital as the Ag Act of '26 moves past the Senate Ag…
Sep 17, 2026 · 23:01
After a long wait, a farm bill passes the Senate. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Deanna Frieders, known online as "This Farm Girl Cooks," talks…
Sep 16, 2026 · 23:01
GOP Senator Mitch McConnell is expected to cast the winning Farm Bill vote in the Senate Ag committee after returning from an extended hospital stay following a fall and…
Sep 15, 2026 · 23:01
The USDA's latest beef import forecast is less than expected after presidential orders on tariff free beef imports. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye…
Sep 14, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello discusses harvest safety and Illinois grain tours. Brendan Marshall, West Central FS, discusses the "pinch test" for corn.…
Sep 11, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, executive director of governmental affairs at the Illinois Farm Bureau, discusses the upcoming Leaders to Washington event and a possible look at the Farm Bill.…
Sep 10, 2026 · 23:01
Dairy is again at the center of trade war escalation with Canada. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Katie Brown, Illinois Pork Producers Association…
Sep 9, 2026 · 23:01
The fate of the farm bill ahead of the midterm elections rests with the expected return next week of Senator Mitch McConnell, out for months after a fall and mild pneumonia. RFD…
Sep 8, 2026 · 23:01
USDA’s latest farm income projections for this year are mixed. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Ryan Tate, Illinois Farm Bureau associate director of…
Sep 7, 2026 · 23:01
Hear from 96-year old John White, Jr. in Kane County, as he reflects on his career, farming and his life in the farm bureau as a preview of this week's episode of the Taking…
Sep 4, 2026 · 23:01
USDA researchers are developing a new strain of New World Screwworm sterile male flies to boost eradication efforts. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye…
Sep 3, 2026 · 23:01
Amid industry criticism for allowing more imported beef into the US, President Trump and USDA are making a pre-election push to rebuild the cattle herd and boost processing…
Sep 2, 2026 · 23:01
The US House has passed and sent to the president stopgap funding to keep the lights on at USDA and other departments until December 11th. RFD Radio Network's Washington…
Sep 1, 2026 · 23:01
The House votes today on a Senate-passed bill to keep USDA and other departments operating into the new fiscal year, RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye…
Aug 31, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson discusses his concerns for the beef industry, in the wake of a Joslin plant closure and the announcement of lifted beef tariffs.…
Aug 28, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities, discusses the Illinois Farm Bureau's engagement with livestock issues, including beef imports. The US…
Aug 27, 2026 · 23:01
Despite controversy over the president’s trade policy, USDA trade chief Luke Lindberg says the administration’s overseas efforts are paying off for agriculture. RFD Radio…
Aug 26, 2026 · 23:01
Ag Senator Chuck Grassley says the US and Canada need to get back to the negotiating table for the good of US farmers, while parting with presidential efforts to import beef. RFD…
Aug 25, 2026 · 23:01
US farm exports face possible retaliatory Canadian tariffs after talks between the two nations collapsed, triggering 50 percent US duties on many Canadian exports including farm…
Aug 24, 2026 · 23:01
Deadline approaches for farmers to make changes to their new base acres under last year's tax bill. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Jon Griffel,…
Aug 21, 2026 · 23:01
IFB's Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities, discusses work at town hall meetings and talking with legislators about key issues during a recess…
Aug 20, 2026 · 23:01
Hayden Geisler, 2026 Illinois Champion Auctioneer, talks with RFD Radio's DeLoss Jahnke about his achievements at the State Fair. Auctioneers Tony Wisely, 2022 State Champion,…
Aug 19, 2026 · 23:01
Page Durham, Madison County Farm Bureau Manager, talks field conditions where farmers prepare to roll with harvest the second week of September. Josh St. Peters, Executive Vice…
Aug 18, 2026 · 23:01
Dale Hadden, livestock and grain farmer from Morgan County, talks about his connection to the fair system and the Illinois Farm Bureau. Dr. Matt Montgomery, Becks Hybrid's…
Aug 17, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello discusses fairground improvements and the closing of an Illinois Tyson plant from the State Fair. Scott Halpin,…
Aug 14, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson talks about farmers' challenges with input prices and fertilizer from the State Fair. Jennifer Tirey, Executive Director of the…
Aug 13, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello prepares for the opening of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Clayton Pope, Clayton Pope Commodities, chats on…
Aug 12, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson held a Farm Talk Tuesday in DeKalb County. Berkeley Boehne served as host farmer at his Shabbona operation. RFD Radio Network's Jim…
Aug 11, 2026 · 23:01
The partisan divide over the Senate farm bill proved too much to overcome, even for Democratic amendments with bipartisan support. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent…
Aug 10, 2026 · 23:01
Election politics may have made it impossible to advance a senate farm bill last week. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Thad Tharp, Chair of the…
Aug 7, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities at Illinois Farm Bureau, discusses a failure to move the Farm Bill through markup as SNAP program error…
Aug 6, 2026 · 23:01
Ag Democrats were withholding their must-have votes ahead of today’s farm bill markup, unwilling to show their cards perhaps until the last minute. RFD Radio Network's Washington…
Aug 5, 2026 · 23:01
The senate is rushing to pass stopgap funding and advance farm legislation this week, before it leaves town for a long summer recess. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent…
Aug 4, 2026 · 23:01
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman holds fast to Thursday Farm Bill markup schedule, relying on uncertain Democratic support and the yet-to-return McConnell. RFD Radio Network's…
Aug 3, 2026 · 23:01
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman late Friday announced a last-minute farm bill markup just before the senate’s long summer recess. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt…
Jul 31, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau's Executive Director of Government Affairs & Commodities, takes a look at what's happening in D.C. and breaks down the massive reconciliation…
Jul 30, 2026 · 23:01
Year-round E15 still faces a steep road as the midterm elections near. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Effingham County Fair Board member, Daryl…
Jul 29, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson looks ahead to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Marlon Eilts, Country Financial Respresentative from Pontiac, discusses the…
Jul 28, 2026 · 23:01
Farm production costs were mixed last year, but not in 2026. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. FarmWeek CropWatcher Doug Uphoff reports from Shelby…
Jul 27, 2026 · 23:01
US Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer came under fire on tariffs, USMCA and ag trade during a recent Senate Finance hearing. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye…
Jul 24, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow Executive Director Gov't Affairs & Commodities talks about the latest from D.C. including the House passed reconciliation bill Mark Litteken Clinton County Farm…
Jul 23, 2026 · 23:01
Matt Kaye Reports-Republicans will continue to lack a majority on the Senate Ag Committee likely into September, further delyaing action on a farm bill and other GOP efforts.…
Jul 22, 2026 · 23:01
John Baranick-DTN Ag Meteorologist talks Illinois temperature swings to finish July & August John Heiser-Faciliting Coordination in Ag Education-advises those in the ag industry…
Jul 21, 2026 · 23:01
-Matt Kaye RFD Washington correspondent-The timeline for Senate Ag to mark up a farm bill before the summer break is fading with still no sign of a mark-up date. Senator Amy…
Jul 20, 2026 · 23:01
Matt Kaye RFD Washington Correspondent reports on the latest from D.C. on the budget farmwork and follow-on bill for Iran war and US farm aid. Kaye talks with House Budget…
Jul 17, 2026 · 22:58
Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities at Illinois Farm Bureau, catches up on everything Washington, DC. Shalene Reeves, MidCo Commodities,…
Jul 16, 2026 · 23:01
The Senate Finance Committee advanced to the full senate for confirmation 5 of the president’s nominees to the US International Trade Commission key in handling fertilizer…
Jul 15, 2026 · 23:01
Republicans are moving quickly to fill committee vacancies after the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, though one seat key for year-round E15, remains in question. RFD Radio…
Jul 14, 2026 · 23:01
Senator Lindsey Graham’s death and Senator Mitch McConnell’s medical absence complicates the legislative path to passing year-round E15 legislation. RFD Radio Network's…
Jul 13, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson reports back from the America Farm Bureau Federation's Council of Presidents meeting in Washington. Mike Zuzolo, Global Commodities…
Jul 10, 2026 · 23:01
A long-time Ag senator predicts a new farm bill won’t happen until after the November midterm elections. RFD Radio Network Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Shelby…
Jul 9, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello discusses rules aimed at keeping the threat of New World Screwworm outside of state borders. Dr. Gretchen Kuck,…
Jul 8, 2026 · 23:01
USDA crop acreage reporting is finally entering the modern era, starting with a new pilot for spring planted crops. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye…
Jul 7, 2026 · 23:01
Bill Graff, State Executive Director for teh USDA FSA, talks about the process for disaster declaration process and the resources available to those in impacted counties. Jim…
Jul 6, 2026 · 23:01
Logan Karcher, Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition, previews the Heart of America Grazing Conference coming up in mid-July. Aaron Maher, Grain Merchandiser at River Valley CoOp,…
Jul 3, 2026 · 23:01
Jul 2, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs & Commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, discusses news updates on the USMCA and the Farm Bill. Dr. Connor Sible, it's…
Jul 1, 2026 · 23:01
President Trump has granted another big ask of farmers—suspending countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye…
Jun 30, 2026 · 23:01
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman says most of the farm bill is already law, enacted in tax legislation last year, with what’s left being policy in his farm bill draft. RFD Radio…
Jun 29, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello discusses the state's growing number of tornadoes and the impact on agriculture. Illinois Pork Producers President Katie Brown…
Jun 26, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities, covers an eventful week in Washington, including Farm Bill text and a possible path forward for year-round…
Jun 25, 2026 · 23:01
United States President Donald Trump, in a major breakthrough for agriculture, has included year-round E15 and billions in new farm aid in his Iran war supplemental request to…
Jun 24, 2026 · 23:01
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman has completed his farm bill draft, but despite bipartisan efforts, Democrats aren’t sold yet on the bill. RFD Radio Network's Washington…
Jun 23, 2026 · 23:01
Tariffs may not be popular, but foreign trade barriers to farm and other goods have the administration and some on Capitol Hill defending them. RFD Radio Network's Washington…
Jun 22, 2026 · 23:01
It’s an issue that keeps coming up including at a recent Senate Ag hearing—the disconnect between tariffs to open markets and continued ad hoc farm assistance. RFD Radio…
Jun 19, 2026 · 23:01
Derek Martin, farmer, talks about crop damage in Logan County after violent storms this week. Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities Kevin…
Jun 18, 2026 · 23:01
John Howell, Chairman of the Wheat Development Group, provides a harvest update and yield report. Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson provides a mid-year update on…
Jun 17, 2026 · 23:01
The wheat harvest is moving along in Southern Illinois, though Kyle Braase, Madison County, says rain has made it a challenge. Chris Reynolds, Midwest Regional Director with…
Jun 16, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau President Phillip Nelson covers farm, state and federal issues as he reviews a busy spring session in Springfield. Jasper County FarmWeek Crop Watcher Lee…
Jun 15, 2026 · 23:01
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins admits the farm economy is in rough shape but pushed back at last week’s Senate Ag hearing on the extent of farm bankruptcies. RFD Radio Network's…
Jun 12, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, talks about what comes next after Illinois' general assembly concludes.…
Jun 11, 2026 · 23:01
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman claims his work on a bipartisan farm bill is about to bear fruit. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt Kaye reports. Bill Carlberg talks…
Jun 10, 2026 · 23:01
The growing number of New World Screwworm cases in Texas is raising concerns in Congress as Canada temporarily restricts livestock from the state. RFD Radio Network Washington…
Jun 9, 2026 · 23:01
House Republican Rick Crawford sought support from USDA Secretary Rollins for a push to speed up ARC and PLC payments, sometimes delayed by more than a year. RFD Radio Network…
Jun 8, 2026 · 23:01
Bill Graff State, Executive Director of the Illinois FSA & Joan Hammann, Chief Program Specialist, talk acreage reporting and base acre update opportunities. JR Early, Macoupin…
Jun 5, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow continues to analyze the recently finished spring legislative session. The Illinois…
Jun 4, 2026 · 23:01
USTR proposed a 25-percent tariff on a range of Brazilian imports, after an investigation found Brazil had discriminated against US ethanol and other goods and services. RFD…
Jun 3, 2026 · 23:01
Colin Woodall, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattleman's Beef Association, discuss the needed response to New World Screwworm and its proximity to the United States…
Jun 2, 2026 · 23:01
Frank Doll, President of Prairie Farms Dairy, discusses crop conditions and planting. FarmWeek CropWatcher Larry Hummel has a look at the fields from Lee County. Mindy…
Jun 1, 2026 · 23:01
Chris Davis, Director of State Legislation at the Illinois Farm Bureau, reviews the end of the legislative session, including a failure to finalize the Family Farm Preservation…
May 29, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow following the final days of the spring legislative session in Springfield. Chuck…
May 28, 2026 · 23:01
US Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer addressed a wide range of trade issues from tariffs to USMCA at a recent think tank forum. RFD Radio Network's Washington correspondent Matt…
May 27, 2026 · 23:01
IFB Board Member Brian Corkill hosts Congressman Eric Sorensen for a farm visit to talk sustainability. Congressman Eric Sorensen also speaks about what he took away from the…
May 26, 2026 · 21:01
May 25, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello talks about dust storms, their impact on farming, public safety and the agricultural community. Illinois State Treasurer Michael…
May 22, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities at Illinois Farm Bureau, keeps a close eye on Springfield as the days count down to the end of the…
May 21, 2026 · 23:01
Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he and colleagues are actively working to pass House-approved year-round E15 and a farm bill, both otherwise facing a 60-vote threshold in…
May 20, 2026 · 23:01
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson discusses the recent visit to China by the Trump White House and the potential for more agricultural product buys. Tracy Heuerman,…
May 19, 2026 · 23:01
China isn't saying how much more of U.S. soybeans they will buy beyond last year's commitments, while President Trump seems to have flipped on Chinese purchases of U.S. farmland.…
May 18, 2026 · 23:01
Solutions to the farm crisis have been painfully slow, something Senate Ag Chair John Boozman acknowledged at a recent fertilizer hearing. RFD Radio Network's Washington…
May 15, 2026 · 23:01
Kevin Semlow, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Commodities at Illinois Farm Bureau, talks about the passage of a year-round E15 bill in the House and the bill's…
May 14, 2026 · 23:01
Year-round E15 passed in the House 218 to 203 with split votes on each side (90 Republicans, 113 Democrats vote no), but after years of efforts by Midwest lawmakers, the fate of…
May 13, 2026 · 23:01
Ag lawmakers now hope to separate year-round E15 legislation from a farm bill that could be in trouble in the Senate and pass it as a free-standing bill—a risky but possibly…
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Your podcast? Get the Podli badge for your site
