official show program - ideag group farm shows · pdf fileofficial show program sponsored by:...
TRANSCRIPT
NIL
2015
THE BEST IN MIDWEST
AGRICULTURE
250 Exh
ibitors
LATESTTECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES
Planting Equipment & Information
ATTENDEES
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l & le
adin
gco
mp
anie
s
F O R A G R I C U L T U R E . B Y A G R I C U L T U R E .
8,000
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JANUARY 7–8, 2015WEDNESDAY, 8:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M.
THURSDAY, 8:00 A.M.–3:00 P.M.
O F F I C I A L S H O W P R O G R A M
SPONSORED BY:
www.IDEAgGroup.com/Illinois
Free admission, Parking $5NIU Convocation Center DeKalb, Illinois
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 79 to 10:30 a.m.: “Marketing Outlook:How Will Planted Acres Shift in 2015?”;Allendale Inc. will share its pre-reportsummary with a professional’s insightto how the USDA January Report willimpact grain prices in 2015. Presenter: Jim McCormick, seniortrading adviser/commodity broker,Allendale Inc.Sponsored by:
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: “Updates to the2014 Farm Bill”; University of Illinoisstaff will provide an update to the FarmService Agency programs associatedwith the 2014 farm bill. Presenters willprovide information to assist produc-ers in understanding the farm programand the decisions they will need tomake as a result of this new farm bill.Presenter: Gary Schnitkey, Universityof IllinoisProduced by:
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: “Weather Trends inAgriculture”; Candice King, chiefmeteorologist with WTVO-TV inRockford will discuss weather, and howit affects agriculture in the Statelinearea. King will take a look at the pastand present weather patterns and provide the attendees with a glimpseinto the future. Presenter: Candice King, First Warnchief meteorologist with WTVOChannel 17 and Fox 39 in RockfordProduced by:
THURSDAY, JAN. 810 to 11 a.m.: “Update on 2014Research Projects at the NorthernIllinois Agronomy Research Center”;University of Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educator Russ Higgins will give an update on the agronomy research projects conducted in 2014 at the center. Thecenter is the northernmost of sixresearch sites managed by theUniversity Illinois Department of CropSciences. Established in 1948 nearShabbona in DeKalb County, this 160-acre center provides land and support for campus-based researchersstudying plant breeding, soil fertilitysoil management, weed science, cropproduction, pest management andenvironmental quality. About 45 separate research projects are conducted here every year.Presenter: Russ Higgins, University ofIllinois ExtensionProduced by:
For 33 years, the IDEAgNorthern Illinois Farm Showhas brought together the area’stop producers and agribusinessrepresentatives. With close to200 exhibitors, the show is aconvenient way to meet theneeds of farmers and ranchersunder one roof.
Once again, the show isexpected to draw more than8,000 attendees from northernIllinois, southern Wisconsin and
eastern Iowa.In addition to the full show
floor, there are a number ofinformational education ses-sions, produced by University of
Illinois Extension Service, tak-ing place throughout the show.In addition, the annual PrivatePesticide Applicator Testing pro-gram will take place from 10a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 7 and from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 8.
The IDEAg Group thanks youfor your continued support andwe look forward to a great 2015show.
The IDEAg Team
2 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
Welcome to the IDEAgNorthern Illinois Farm Show!
2015 Northern Illinois FarmShow Schedule of Events
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 78 a.m.: Show opens9-10:30 a.m.: “Market Outlook: Howwill Planted Acres Shift in 2015?,”presented by Jim McCormick, seniortrading adviser/commodity broker,Allendale Inc., in Allendale Inc.Multipurpose Room10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: PesticideApplicator License Testing inAuxiliary Gym11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: “Updates tothe 2014 Farm Bill,” presented byGary Schnitkey, University of Illinois,in University of Illinois ExtensionMultipurpose Room1:30-2:30 p.m.: “Weather Trends in
Agriculture,” presented by CandiceKing of WTVO-TV, Rockford, in theUniversity of Illinois ExtensionMultipurpose Room4 p.m.: Show closes
THURSDAY, JAN. 88 a.m.: Show opens10-11 a.m.: “Update on 2014 ResearchProjects at the Northern IllinoisAgronomy Research Center,” present-ed by Russ Higgins of University ofIllinois Extension in University ofIllinois Extension Multipurpose Room10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Pesticide ApplicatorLicense Testing in Auxiliary Gym3 p.m.: Show closesSchedule of Education Sessions
About IDEAgGroup, LLCIDEAg Group, LLC, delivers an
optimal experience to attendees,exhibitors and industry thought
leaders in the agricultural market.Through its established farm
show events and Feed & Grainmagazine, the IDEAg Group is
dedicated to bringing interactive,content-rich, high-value events to the marketplace, connecting
top-level producers to theproviders across the country.
The IDEAg Group offers interactive events, publications
and media products that are produced “For Agriculture. By
Agriculture.”
Dan Durheim, Executive Director,Industry AffairsRay Bianchi, Senior Director,Tradeshows and EventsAmy LaTessa, CEM, Show DirectorMarshall Brown, OperationsDirector
Samantha Castro, MarketingManagerWayne Koenig, OperationsManagerBrian Ruhl, Sales ManagerScott Odin, Sales ManagerCailey Lantz, Show Coordinator
IDEAg Group, LLC, Staff
Stop By Our Booth #411B
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www.agrinews-pubs.com — Illinois AgriNews | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Friday, January 2, 2015 3
Exhibitors | A to Z1ST FARM CREDIT SERVICES514
A & P GRAIN SYSTEMS INC.203
ACRI CO.918
ADM GRAIN CO.613
ADS BULK SEED BUGGY600
ADVANCE TRADING INC.515
AGNITION610
AGPERSPECTIVE INC.620
AGRIDRY LLC617
AGRIENERGY RESOURCES502
AGRIGOLD HYBRIDS705
AKE SAFETY EQUIPMENT624
ALPHA AG SOLUTIONS802
ALPINE BANK718
ALTORFER INC.603
AMVAC CHEMICAL126
ANDY WOLD CONSTRUCTIONLLC1409
BECK’S HYBRIDS232
BIG IRON / STOCK AUCTION352
BLAIN’S FARM & FLEET420
BLAIR’S DISC SHARPENING523
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OFILLINOIS112
BLUNIER BUILDERS INC.1201
BMO HARRIS BANK, N.A.265
BORKHOLDER BUILDINGS625
BRANDNER MAPPING & SALES326
BRITESPAN BUILDING SYSTEMS INC.619
C.S.R. BOBCAT INC.427
CABINETWORKS KITCHENS124
CADY INC.411
CAPELLO CORNHEAD / HEAVYEQUIPMENT SERVICES238
CARGILL AG HORIZONS500
CENTRAL ILLINOIS SCALE CO.120
CIT GROUP INC.1000
CLARKS AG SUPPLY320
CLEARY BUILDING CORP.713
CONSOLIDATED GRAIN & BARGE CO.522
COPPERHEAD AG322
COUNTRY FINANCIAL525
CREAM CITY STATELINESCALE CO.805
CROP IMS222
CRUSTBUSTER / SPEED KING INC.224
CSI HOMES909
CULPITT ROOFING INC.1106
CUSTOM WASH ONE INC.1419
CUTCO CUTLERY1417
DAIRYLAND SEED CO. INC..908
DECRA ROOFING SYSTEMS815
DEKALB COUNTY SOIL &WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT521
DEKALB LAWN & EQUIPMENTCO. INC.709
DULTMEIER SALES1300
NON-GMO SEED CORN100% NON-GMO AND ORGANIC PRODUCTION
PRAIRIE HYBRIDS SEEDS27445 Hurd Rd., Deer Grove, IL 61243
800-368-0124Your Source for Quality Seed Corn
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4 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
NIU Convocation Center Floor Plan Exhibitors |A to Z
DUPONT PIONEER801
DURAMAX / CUMMINS TUNER1109
ELBURN COOP209
ENERGY PANEL STRUCTURES708
ENOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES1100
FARMCHAINS.COM1313
FARMERS HELPING FARMERSCO.1309
FASSCO EQUIPMENT CO.512
FAST MANUFACTURING245
FBI BUILDINGS INC.409
FEECE OIL CO.1209
FERTILIZER DEALER SUPPLY211
GINGRICH ENTERPRISES INC.242
GRAIN MASTERS & STEVENSON SERVICE340
GREAT LAKES / METRO ROOFING PRODUCTS108
GREAT LAKES HYBRIDS355
GREENFIELD CONTRACTORSLLC404
H. I. STONE & SONS INC.226
HARMS GRAIN EQUIPMENTINC.419
HARVEST INTERNATIONAL INC.257
HELENA CHEMICAL CO.261
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HENDRICKSON FLYING SERVICE INC.227
HENDRIX TOWN & COUNTRY628
HONEY CREEK SEED CO.353
HOWARD LEE & SONS INC.926
HUEBER LLC338
ILLINOIS FARMER TODAY716
ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION421
ILLINOIS VALLEY AGRI SYSTEMS, LLC508
INDUSTRIAL AIR SOLUTIONS510
INTELLIFARMS LLC806
J & R HERRA INC.1103
JET CO. INC.520
KALER FARMS DIVERSIFIEDENTERPRISES1200
KE PRECISION AG807
KIMBERLY M. BARRIOS INSURANCE AGENCY410
KISHWAUKEE COLLEGE116
KOCH’S KOMPANY402
LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION922
LESTER BUILDING SYSTEMS,LLC608
LINCO PRECISION LLC200
MAIER PRECAST726
MAPLEHURST FARMS INC.403
MARTIN IMPLEMENT SALESINC.258
MIDWEST AGRO ALLIANCE408
MIDWEST PERMA-COLUMNINC.627
MIDWEST SCALE CO.927
MIDWESTERN BIOAG INC.722
MODAL MARKETING INC.130
MOLY MFG. INC. / SILENCER226A
MONSANTO — ASGROW /DEKALB406
MOORE TIRES INC.354
MY PILLOW INC.100
NB&T414
NEXTIRE INC.416
NICOMM LLC407
NORTH CENTRAL IRRIGATION417
NORTHERN PARTNERS COOPERATIVE616
NUTRA-FLO CO.912
OHIO VALLEY AG233
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS914
PINNO BUILDINGS332
POWER LIFT DOORS729
PRAIRIE HYBRID SEEDS225
PRAIRIE STATE INSULATION1003
PRECISION AUTOMOTIVEDIESEL412
PROHARVEST SEEDS314
QED DRYER SALES & MFG.INC.334
R.J. BOWERS DISTRIBUTORSINC.324
RENK SEED CO.804
R-EQUIPMENT CO. LLC319
RESOURCE BANK, N.A.1105
Exhibitors | A to Z
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RITEWAY MFG.248
ROCKFORD DIESEL INJECTIONSERVICE INC.128
ROOSTER AG’350
RYDER TRANSPORTATION344
SALFORD BY DAMBMAN SERVICE INC.317
SCHERTZ AERIAL SERVICEINC.359
SCHULTZ’S INTER-STATE AGINC.264
SEEDBURO EQUIPMENT1101
SEEDIRECTYIELDIRECT415
SGS NORTH AMERICA423
SHEARERWORKS SOLUTIONS413
SHIVVERS MFG. INC.723
SHOW-ME SHORTLINE CO. LLC345
SILVEUS INSURANCE GROUPINC.607
SO-IL SERVICE INC.347
SPECTRUM TECHNOLGIES INC.614
SPRINGFIELD PLASTIC INC.1206
STEWART — PETERSON INC.328
STILLMAN BANK621
STINE SEED CO.212
STOLLERUSA1107
STONE SEED GROUP725
STOR-LOC812
SYNGENTA / GOLDERN HARVEST710
THOMPSON BUILDING CO.721
TIMPTE INC.330
TRACY SEEDS LLC623
TRI-STATE SPRAYING SYSTEMS349
TROUBLE FREE LIGHTING719
UNCOMMON USA401
UNITED SOILS INC.504
UNZICKER EQUIPMENT INC.511
VALENT U.S.A. CORP.626
WALTERS BUILDINGS816
WATERS EQUIPMENT707
WICK BUILDINGS LLC518
WINDOW WORKS266
WISCONSIN PLASTIC DRAINTILE CORP.316
WITMER PRECISION SERVICES250
WYFFELS HYBRIDS811
YETTER MFG CO.216
YOUNG CUSTOM CONTRACTORS706
Z AND J FARMS253
ZENZ BUILDINGS INC.920
6 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
Exhibitors | A to Z
More than 8,000 attendees are expected at the IDEAg Northern Illinois FarmShow Jan. 8-9. The event features nearly 200 exhibitors.
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www.agrinews-pubs.com — Illinois AgriNews | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Friday, January 2, 2015 7
Exhibitors | ServicesAG CONSULTING
504 UNITED SOILS INC.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY707 WATERS EQUIPMENT
BUILDING EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
1201 BLUNIER BUILDERSINC.
625 BORKHOLDER BUILD-INGS
BUILDINGS1201 BLUNIER BUILDERS
INC.625 BORKHOLDER BUILD-
INGS708 ENERGY PANEL
STRUCTURES409 FBI BUILDINGS INC.608 LESTER BUILDING
SYSTEMS LLC920 ZENZ BUILDINGS
INC.
COMMUNICATIONS407 NICOMM LLC
COMPUTER SOFTWARE504 UNITED SOILS INC.
CONSERVATION TILLAGE EQUIPMENT
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
CONVEYORS1101 SEEDBURO EQUIP-
MENT
COVERS/BAGS1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
CROP PROTECTION802 ALPHA AG SOLU-
TIONS
CUSTOM APPLICATION EQUIPMENT
233 OHIO VALLEY AG
DIGITAL MAPPING200 LINCO PRECISION
LLC
DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE802 ALPHA AG SOLU-
TIONS
ELECTRICAL116 KISHWAUKEE
COLLEGE
FERTILIZER502 AGRIENERGY
RESOURCES411 CADY INC.
Product Spotlight
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FERTILIZER APPLICATION EQUIPMENT
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC233 OHIO VALLEY AG
FORAGE/SILAGE411 CADY INC.
FORKLIFTS/LOADERS511 UNZICKER EQUIP-
MENT INC.
GENERATORS707 WATERS EQUIPMENT
GRAIN BINS411 CADY INC.264 SCHULTZ’S
INTER-STATE AG INC.
GRAIN DRYERS264 SCHULTZ’S
INTER-STATE AG INC.723 SHIVVERS MFG. INC.
GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT264 SCHULTZ’S
INTER-STATE AG INC.1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT723 SHIVVERS MFG. INC.
HARVESTING EQUIPMENT413 SHEARERWORKS
SOLUTIONS723 SHIVVERS MFG. INC.
HAULING & HANDLING EQUIPMENT
411 CADY INC.
HAY EQUIPMENT1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
HOME CONSTRUCTION1201 BLUNIER BUILDERS
INC.
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT707 WATERS EQUIPMENT
IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT417 NORTH CENTRAL
IRRIGATION
LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT411 CADY INC.
MANURE HANDLING EQUIPMENT411 CADY INC.
METAL ROOFS625 BORKHOLDER
BUILDINGS
ORGANICS502 AGRIENERGY
RESOURCES
PEST CONTROL1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
PLANTING EQUIPMENT1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
PRECISION AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC233 OHIO VALLEY AG1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT504 UNITED SOILS INC.
RENEWABLE ENERGY411 CADY INC.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
SCALES1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
SEED705 AGRIGOLD HYBRIDS908 DAIRYLAND SEED CO.
INC.
SIDING625 BORKHOLDER
BUILDINGS
SILO REPAIR411 CADY INC.
SNOW REMOVAL200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
SPRAYERS200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
SPRAYERS & ACCESSORIES200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
SPREADERS200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
TANKS411 CADY INC.
TRAILERS200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
TRUCKS & ACCESSORIES200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
WASTE HANDLING411 CADY INC.
WINDOWS625 BORKHOLDER
BUILDINGS
8 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
Exhibitors | Services
About 200 exhibitors will be featured at the IDEAg Northern Illinois Farm Show Jan. 8-9.
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Guess the average price of December 15 corn at the end of the Price Discovery Period for Spring Crop Insurance.
We will announce the winner around March 15, 2015.
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By Martha BlumAGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
SYCAMORE, Ill. — Historicalmarkers now recognize the her-itage of agricultural innovationin DeKalb County.
“We’re proud to join with youto dedicate a marker recogniz-ing the first Farm Bureau inIllinois and among the first in
the country,” said Larry Mix,president of the DeKalb AreaAgricultural HeritageAssociation.
“The DeKalb County FarmBureau story is important to tellbecause it underscores not allgreat ag innovations are primari-ly technical or scientific innature,” Mix said. “Some aremore organizational and rela-
tional like bringing togetherfarmers to look at their ideas innew ways, to tackle big chal-lenges and achieve big resultswhich individuals could nothave achieved on their own.”
The new marker stands out-side the DeKalb County FarmBureau Building.
“Great technology alone cannot meet the huge challenge offeeding 7 billion people,” Mixsaid.
“Hats off to you DeKalbCounty Farm Bureau, the geniusand effectiveness of your innova-tive idea has been tested by time,and more than 100 years later,you’re still going strong andstaying true to your mission ofserving farm, family and com-munity,” he said.
On March 27, 1912, theDeKalb County SoilImprovement Association wasincorporated with the state ofIllinois. In 1926, this group offi-cially changed its name to theDeKalb County Farm Bureau.
“A group of smart people gottogether when they started thesoil improvement association,”said Mark Tuttle, president ofthe DeKalb bureau. “A lot of
things have happened over thatcentury including the advance-ment of hybrid seed corn, whichled to DeKalb Ag Research.”
The development of hybridcorn impacts farmers far beyondDeKalb County.
“DeKalb hybrids are now soldby Monsanto worldwide,”Tuttle said. “People across theworld will have a good nutri-tious meal tonight because ofthe efforts that happened 102years ago.”
Those who joined together100 years ago to focus onimproving crop production andestablish a farmer-led organiza-tion were looking forwardtoward the future, he noted.
OTHER MARKERSThe marker at the Farm
Bureau building is one of threeerected in DeKalb County thisfall.
The first marker was placedat the location of the firstDeKalb hybrid corn breedingplot along Nelson Road, off ofRoute 38.
The other marker is at theDeKalb home of the first farmadviser for the county, WilliamEckhardt.
Martha Blum can be reached at815-223-2558, ext. 117, [email protected]. Follow her on Twitterat: @AgNews_Blum.
www.agrinews-pubs.com — Illinois AgriNews | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Friday, January 2, 2015 9
Historical markers recognize ag innovation Mark Tuttle, presi-dent of the DeKalbCounty FarmBureau, speaks atthe dedication cere-mony of the histori-cal marker, whichrecognizes thegroup of farmers,businessmen andbankers who joinedtogether in 1912 toform a coalition thatbecame the firstFarm Bureau inIllinois.
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By Martha BlumAGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
DEKALB, Ill. — Quality soils,proximity to markets and activefarmer leadership are just a few ofthe factors that contribute to thestrong agricultural industry inDeKalb County.
A significant portion of thecounty is devoted to some type ofagricultural production.
“In this county, 88 percent ofthe land is involved in agricul-ture,” said Greg Millburg, manag-er of the DeKalb County FarmBureau. “That hasn’t changed awhole lot in the last 20-someyears.”
And, Millburg said, 98 percentof the land has prime soils.
“Our strength is the soils in thiscounty and the climate of north-ern Illinois, which has been verybeneficial to agriculture over theyears,” he said.
Policy decisions made byDeKalb County government offi-cials have been supportive of thecounty’s ag industry.
“The DeKalb County Boardunderstands the economic enginethat agriculture is for this county,and the support dates back intothe ‘70s,” Millburg said.
“In order to build a house in anagriculture-zoned area, you need40 acres.”
The rule is designed to keepgrowth in the county close tomunicipalities.
“That is not only good for themunicipalities as far as providingservices to the residents, but alsogood for agriculture by keepinggrowth from occurring in themiddle of a rural area,” Millburgsaid.
“We have access to severalmarkets through the IllinoisRiver, rail facilities, good roadsand our close proximity toChicago,” said Mark Tuttle, aSomonauk farmer who hasserved as the president of DeKalbCounty Farm Bureau sinceMarch 2012. “This county is amajor producer of hogs and cat-tle, which is rooted to Chicago,which at one time was a majormarket for cattle and hogs.”
According to the NationalAgricultural Statistics Service, in2012, DeKalb County farmersplanted 233,500 acres of cornthat produced more than 36 mil-lion bushels of corn and 92,000acres of soybeans that resulted inmore than 4.7 million bushels of
soybeans during a growing sea-son that was hurt by drought.
As of Dec. 1, 2012, the servicereported, livestock producers inthe county raised 235,000 head ofhogs and pigs and 29,000 head ofcattle and calves.
CORN, SOYBEANS, LIVESTOCK“Corn and soybeans are the top
grain commodities in the county,and we are very strong in live-stock production, as well,”Millburg said. “For pork produc-tion, we are usually the top oneor two counties in the state, andfor beef production, we arearound the top 10 county in thestate.”
“There is a unique and stronghistory of DeKalb County thatdates back to prior to our organi-zation, including some yearlyinventions,” he added.
One example is Joseph F.Glidden, who received a patentfor barbed wire in 1874. Anotherexample is the development ofDeKalb hybrid corn that beganwith breeding work in the 1910s.
The DeKalb company experi-enced several name changes untilthe late 1990s, when it was pur-chased by Monsanto Co.
“These are the types of innova-tions that have reached far out-side our boundaries,” Millburgsaid. “Over 100 years ago, agroup of farmers and communitymembers saw a need to supportagriculture and farming practices,the economic benefit of thisindustry and how it would helpcommunities in the future. Thatgroup included a variety of peo-ple like bankers and newspaperpeople, not just farmers who sawthe benefit of an organization.”
On March 27, 1912, theDeKalb County SoilImprovement Association wasincorporated with the state ofIllinois. The group officiallychanged its name to the DeKalbCounty Farm Bureau in 1926.
“Now we have county FarmBureaus throughout Illinois, stateassociations through the countryand the American Farm BureauFederation, and it all started withthe grassroots movement of amembership organization in theearly 1900s,” said Millburg, whogrew up on a grain and livestockfarm in the central part of Illinois.
“One of our strengths is thehigh-quality leadership of ourfarmers who have worked with
our organization and other com-modity organizations in the stateand country, such as the corngrowers, soybean association,pork producers and the cattle-men’s association,” he said.
“There is a lot of leadership bypeople who have a true desire tobetter this industry we call agri-culture,” Millburg said. “And theyhave contributed to not just agri-culture but to the communitiesand growth of DeKalb County.”
“Our farmers are active on thecounty board, hospital boards,school boards, church boards andlots of other groups,” Tuttle said.“We have knowledgeable peoplewilling to serve on our FarmBureau board that represent busi-ness, livestock, grain and organicoperations.”
Tuttle raises corn, soybeans,wheat, sweet corn and peas onthe family farm operation nearSomonauk.
“We also have a trucking busi-ness that is mostly involves trans-
porting ag commodities,” he said.“I grew up raising hogs, and wehad a small cow-calf operation,but for about the last 20 years,we’ve focused on grain produc-tion. I have lived within a quartermile of here — I’ve never left thisfarm.”
Tuttle attended Joliet JuniorCollege and completed his bache-lor’s degree in agronomy at IowaState University. Mark andChristina Tuttle are the parents ofKatherine, Elaine, Paula, Nelsenand Erik.
The large consumer market ofChicago provides opportunitiesfor DeKalb County farmers.
“The key for us in agriculture isto provide information and edu-cate them about farming andfarming practices,” Millburg said.“It is critical we have an Ag in theClassroom program in the countyand throughout the state ofIllinois to reach youth and devel-op their understanding of agri-culture.”
10 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
DeKalb County takes the lead in agriculture
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By Tom C. DoranAGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
ST. ANNE, Ill. — Not everyIllinois producer knows he’s eat-ing his own crops for lunch.
That’s just one way TomHoekstra is unique. Tear open abright, foil bag filled with Jayspotato chips in the next fewmonths, and chances are you’llbe eating Hoekstra’s potatoes —grown on a Kankakee Countyfarm and fried at a factory justdown the road.
While the end result is unique,the day-to-day tasks of potatofarming might not be that differ-ent from your own farm opera-tion.
Unlike most farms in Illinoisand western Indiana, HoekstraPotato Farm sits on sandy soil —just right for growing potatoes.Potatoes need plenty of water,but they also need quick waterdrainage that sandier soils pro-vide.
In fact, southern KankakeeCounty is one of the only areas inIllinois that is conducive to pota-to production. Hoekstra esti-mates that only a half a dozenother farms in the state producepotatoes.
Hoekstra Farm raises a round,white potato variety that is usedexclusively for potato chips.Within the potato chip category,the farm has raised many differ-ent varieties over the years.
But there are no potato seedsalesmen. In fact, potato-raisingis on contract — whatever quanti-ties the farm grows are alreadyspoken for. Hoekstra’s customers,including Frito-Lay, Jays, CapeCod and other regional brands,choose the varieties. Most suggestpublic varieties, but Frito-Layrequires Hoekstra to use its ownproprietary potato seeds.
The farm also is required toreceive all its seeds from a certi-fied state to ensure that they arefree from bacteria and disease.
Illinois does not have a seedcertification program, so most ofthe farm’s seeds come fromWisconsin. Like mostMidwestern farms, Hoekstrarotates the crops with potatoes
planted in a field once everythree to four years, with corn orbeans on the off years.
SLICED SEEDUnlike corn or soybeans, one
won’t find potato seed bags piledin the shop.
In fact, the “seed” is a wholepotato. A few weeks before theyplant, Hoekstra and his crew runthese “seed potatoes” through amechanical cutter to chop theminto two-ounce pieces. The cut-uppotatoes are planted.
Planting begins the first weekof April and runs through mid-May — a six- to seven-week win-dow to plant. A pick planter, amachine not all that differentfrom the units most grain farmersrun, is used. It has a large hopperthat holds all the seed pieces, andmechanical wheels for each rowthat turn to pick a seed piece anddrop it into the seed furrow.
The harvest begins in a field offlowers.
Some potato plants bloom asthe tubers grow underground.Different varieties mature at dif-ferent times — early varieties at90 days, with others taking up to120 days.
The harvested potatoes gothrough a series of quality checksbefore leaving the farm.
Tom C. Doran can be reached at815-780-7894 [email protected] him on Twitter at:@AgNews_Doran.
www.agrinews-pubs.com — Illinois AgriNews | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Friday, January 2, 2015 11
KankakeeCounty farm chips in forpopular snack
Tom Hoekstra (left) and his father,Bob, explain how their harvesterscoops potatoes out of the field andtransports them through a series ofconveyors to separate the soil anddebris from the potatoes. HoekstraPotato Farm, on the east edge of St.Anne, Ill., has been operating for fourgenerations to provide products forpotato chip companies.
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12 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com