FarmWeekNow (RFD Radio Network)

For the second year in a row, three Illinois FFA members were named National FFA STAR finalists for 2026. As finalists, STAR Farmer Justin Myers from the Forreston FFA, STAR Agribusiness Benjamin Biros of the Seneca FFA and STAR Agricultural Placement Jaron Black of the Streator FFA are among the top 16 FFA members nationwide. The American Star Awards recognize the most accomplished recipients of the American FFA Degree, the highest honor a member can receive in the FFA.

During the past decade, biologicals have evolved from an emerging trend to a common input farmers might consider part of their annual management plan. But as is the case with any growing market, new products and new claims continue to arise, making it important for consumers to know how to sort lasting innovations from marketing hype.

Data center construction is shifting toward rural America. At the same time, rural residents report greater concern than urban and suburban Americans about what those projects could mean for their electricity costs and farmland use. That’s according to a survey released June 26 by researchers at the University of Illinois and Purdue University. The survey of about 1,000 U.S. adults, conducted in February, found rural residents expressed the highest average level of concern overall.

Although May exports of U.S. pork were higher year-over-year, volumes were significantly diminished by Mexico’s restrictions on pork offal items, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports totaled 245,874 metric tons (mt) in May, up 10% from a year ago. But exports in May 2025 were unusually low due to heightened trade tensions with China.

For a second time in three weeks Illinois is feeling the effects of a heat dome. The first one hit the state June 30 into the Fourth of July weekend. The second has arrived this week with base temperatures in the 90s and heat index readings reaching into triple digits. But conditions should turn for the better this weekend.

Holstein cows in the U.S. are averaging 4.11% milk fat production, a record high, with the Jersey breed at 5.01%. But replacement heifer supplies for dairies may continue to shrink this year before a slight rebound in 2027. (File photo) The U.S. dairy herd has reached its largest size in 30 years, but one critical subset of the herd — replacement heifers that represent the next generation of milk cows — remains historically low.

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The results of an extended planting season are showing in fields across Illinois as both corn and soybeans exhibit a wide variety of growth stages. In USDA’s latest crop progress and condition report, the department estimated 47% of soybeans were blooming, slightly behind last year and the five-year average pace. However, the number of fields setting pods was slightly ahead of average at 19%. Corn silking reached 40%, with 6% in the dough stage, both slightly ahead of average.

Lindsey Graham served on the Senate Agriculture Committee from 2007 to 2009, where he voted to advance the legislation that became the 2008 farm bill. (Image from Sen. Graham X page) Early Sunday morning, July 12, officials announced the death of longtime South Carolina politician and Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, 71, from suspected heart disease. Graham served four terms in the U.S. House before winning election to the Senate in 2002 and taking office in 2003.

Grain prices rebounded in justification of having limited old-crop corn and soybean sales in the few weeks leading up to the July contracting deadlines, which are seasonally bearish for futures and basis because of the heightened selling pressure. Producers holding physical crop inventories have the risk of prices resuming a downtrend that developed after May highs while being open to upside that could eventually be used for targeting new-crop sales.