official show program

Transcription

official show program
OFFICIAL SHOW PROGRAM
JANUARY 7–8, 2015
WEDNESDAY, 8:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M.
THURSDAY, 8:00 A.M.–3:00 P.M.
Free admission, Parking $5
NIU Convocation Center
DeKalb, Illinois
companies
local & leading
8,000
THE BEST IN
MIDWEST
Planting Equipment
& Information
AGRICULTURE
ATTENDEES
LATEST
250 Exhibitors
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TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES
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2 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
2015 Northern Illinois Farm
Welcome to the IDEAg
Northern Illinois Farm Show! Show Schedule of Events
eastern Iowa.
In addition to the full show
floor, there are a number of
informational education sessions, produced by University of
Illinois Extension Service, taking place throughout the show.
In addition, the annual Private
Pesticide Applicator Testing program will take place from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 7 and from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 8.
The IDEAg Group thanks you
for your continued support and
we look forward to a great 2015
show.
The IDEAg Team
Schedule of Education Sessions
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7
9 to 10:30 a.m.: “Marketing Outlook:
How Will Planted Acres Shift in 2015?”;
Allendale Inc. will share its pre-report
summary with a professional’s insight
to how the USDA January Report will
impact grain prices in 2015.
Presenter: Jim McCormick, senior
trading adviser/commodity broker,
Allendale Inc.
Sponsored by:
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: “Updates to the
2014 Farm Bill”; University of Illinois
staff will provide an update to the Farm
Service Agency programs associated
with the 2014 farm bill. Presenters will
provide information to assist producers in understanding the farm program
and the decisions they will need to
make as a result of this new farm bill.
Presenter: Gary Schnitkey, University
of Illinois
Produced by:
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: “Weather Trends in
Agriculture”; Candice King, chief
meteorologist with WTVO-TV in
Rockford will discuss weather, and how
it affects agriculture in the Stateline
area. King will take a look at the past
and present weather patterns and
provide the attendees with a glimpse
into the future.
Presenter: Candice King, First Warn
chief meteorologist with WTVO
Channel 17 and Fox 39 in Rockford
Produced by:
THURSDAY, JAN. 8
10 to 11 a.m.: “Update on 2014
Research Projects at the Northern
Illinois 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. The
center is the northernmost of six
research sites managed by the
University Illinois Department of Crop
Sciences. Established in 1948 near
Shabbona in DeKalb County, this
160-acre center provides land and
support for campus-based researchers
studying plant breeding, soil fertility
soil management, weed science, crop
production, pest management and
environmental quality. About 45
separate research projects are
conducted here every year.
Presenter: Russ Higgins, University of
Illinois Extension
Produced by:
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7
8 a.m.: Show opens
9-10:30 a.m.: “Market Outlook: How
will Planted Acres Shift in 2015?,”
presented by Jim McCormick, senior
trading adviser/commodity broker,
Allendale Inc., in Allendale Inc.
Multipurpose Room
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Pesticide
Applicator License Testing in
Auxiliary Gym
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: “Updates to
the 2014 Farm Bill,” presented by
Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois,
in University of Illinois Extension
Multipurpose Room
1:30-2:30 p.m.: “Weather Trends in
Agriculture,” presented by Candice
King of WTVO-TV, Rockford, in the
University of Illinois Extension
Multipurpose Room
4 p.m.: Show closes
THURSDAY, JAN. 8
8 a.m.: Show opens
10-11 a.m.: “Update on 2014 Research
Projects at the Northern Illinois
Agronomy Research Center,” presented by Russ Higgins of University of
Illinois Extension in University of
Illinois Extension Multipurpose Room
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Pesticide Applicator
License Testing in Auxiliary Gym
3 p.m.: Show closes
IDEAg Group, LLC, Staff
Dan Durheim, Executive Director,
Industry Affairs
Ray Bianchi, Senior Director,
Tradeshows and Events
Amy LaTessa, CEM, Show Director
Marshall Brown, Operations
Director
Samantha Castro, Marketing
Manager
Wayne Koenig, Operations
Manager
Brian Ruhl, Sales Manager
Scott Odin, Sales Manager
Cailey Lantz, Show Coordinator
About
IDEAgGroup, LLC
IDEAg 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 & Grain
magazine, the IDEAg Group is
dedicated to bringing interactive,
content-rich, high-value events
to the marketplace, connecting
top-level producers to the
providers across the country.
The IDEAg Group offers
interactive events, publications
and media products that are
produced “For Agriculture. By
Agriculture.”
B63613
For 33 years, the IDEAg
Northern Illinois Farm Show
has brought together the area’s
top producers and agribusiness
representatives. With close to
200 exhibitors, the show is a
convenient way to meet the
needs of farmers and ranchers
under one roof.
Once again, the show is
expected to draw more than
8,000 attendees from northern
Illinois, southern Wisconsin and
Stop By Our Booth #411
www.agrinews-pubs.com — Illinois AgriNews | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Friday, January 2, 2015 3
Exhibitors | A to Z
1ST FARM CREDIT SERVICES
514
AKE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
624
A & P GRAIN SYSTEMS INC.
203
ALPHA AG SOLUTIONS
802
ACRI CO.
918
ALPINE BANK
718
ADM GRAIN CO.
613
ALTORFER INC.
603
ADS BULK SEED BUGGY
600
AMVAC CHEMICAL
126
ADVANCE TRADING INC.
515
ANDY WOLD CONSTRUCTION
LLC
1409
AGNITION
610
AGPERSPECTIVE INC.
620
AGRIDRY LLC
617
AGRIENERGY RESOURCES
502
AGRIGOLD HYBRIDS
705
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF
ILLINOIS
112
BLUNIER BUILDERS INC.
1201
BMO HARRIS BANK, N.A.
265
BORKHOLDER BUILDINGS
625
BRANDNER MAPPING & SALES
326
BECK’S HYBRIDS
232
BRITESPAN BUILDING
SYSTEMS INC.
619
C.S.R. BOBCAT INC.
427
BIG IRON / STOCK AUCTION
352
BLAIN’S FARM & FLEET
420
BLAIR’S DISC SHARPENING
523
CABINETWORKS KITCHENS
124
CARGILL AG HORIZONS
500
CENTRAL ILLINOIS SCALE CO.
120
CIT GROUP INC.
1000
CLARKS AG SUPPLY
320
CLEARY BUILDING CORP.
713
CRUSTBUSTER / SPEED
KING INC.
224
CSI HOMES
909
CULPITT ROOFING INC.
1106
CUSTOM WASH ONE INC.
1419
CUTCO CUTLERY
1417
CONSOLIDATED GRAIN
& BARGE CO.
522
DAIRYLAND SEED CO. INC..
908
COPPERHEAD AG
322
DECRA ROOFING SYSTEMS
815
COUNTRY FINANCIAL
525
DEKALB COUNTY SOIL &
WATER CONSERVATION
DISTRICT
521
CADY INC.
411
CREAM CITY STATELINE
SCALE CO.
805
CAPELLO CORNHEAD / HEAVY
EQUIPMENT SERVICES
238
CROP IMS
222
DEKALB LAWN & EQUIPMENT
CO. INC.
709
DULTMEIER SALES
1300
NON-GMO
SEED
CORN
100% NON-GMO AND ORGANIC PRODUCTION
PRAIRIE HYBRIDS SEEDS
27445 Hurd Rd., Deer Grove, IL 61243
Your Source for Quality Seed Corn
B74248
800-368-0124
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 PIONEER
801
DURAMAX / CUMMINS TUNER
1109
ELBURN COOP
209
ENERGY PANEL STRUCTURES
708
ENOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
1100
FARMCHAINS.COM
1313
FARMERS HELPING FARMERS
CO.
1309
FASSCO EQUIPMENT CO.
512
FAST MANUFACTURING
245
FBI BUILDINGS INC.
409
FEECE OIL CO.
1209
FERTILIZER DEALER SUPPLY
211
GINGRICH ENTERPRISES INC.
242
GRAIN MASTERS &
STEVENSON SERVICE
340
GREAT LAKES / METRO
ROOFING PRODUCTS
108
GREAT LAKES HYBRIDS
355
GREENFIELD CONTRACTORS
LLC
404
H. I. STONE & SONS INC.
226
HARMS GRAIN EQUIPMENT
INC.
419
HARVEST INTERNATIONAL INC.
257
HELENA CHEMICAL CO.
261
www.agrinews-pubs.com — Illinois AgriNews | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Friday, January 2, 2015 5
Exhibitors | A to Z
J & R HERRA INC.
1103
MAIER PRECAST
726
MOORE TIRES INC.
354
POWER LIFT DOORS
729
JET CO. INC.
520
MAPLEHURST FARMS INC.
403
MY PILLOW INC.
100
PRAIRIE HYBRID SEEDS
225
HONEY CREEK SEED CO.
353
KALER FARMS DIVERSIFIED
ENTERPRISES
1200
MARTIN IMPLEMENT SALES
INC.
258
NB&T
414
PRAIRIE STATE INSULATION
1003
HOWARD LEE & SONS INC.
926
KE PRECISION AG
807
MIDWEST AGRO ALLIANCE
408
NEXTIRE INC.
416
PRECISION AUTOMOTIVE
DIESEL
412
HUEBER LLC
338
KIMBERLY M. BARRIOS
INSURANCE AGENCY
410
MIDWEST PERMA-COLUMN
INC.
627
KISHWAUKEE COLLEGE
116
MIDWEST SCALE CO.
927
ILLINOIS SOYBEAN
ASSOCIATION
421
KOCH’S KOMPANY
402
MIDWESTERN BIOAG INC.
722
ILLINOIS VALLEY
AGRI SYSTEMS, LLC
508
LEAFFILTER GUTTER
PROTECTION
922
MODAL MARKETING INC.
130
INDUSTRIAL AIR SOLUTIONS
510
LESTER BUILDING SYSTEMS,
LLC
608
HENDRIX TOWN & COUNTRY
628
ILLINOIS FARMER TODAY
716
INTELLIFARMS LLC
806
LINCO PRECISION LLC
200
MOLY MFG. INC. / SILENCER
226A
MONSANTO — ASGROW /
DEKALB
406
NICOMM LLC
407
NORTH CENTRAL IRRIGATION
417
NORTHERN PARTNERS
COOPERATIVE
616
NUTRA-FLO CO.
912
OHIO VALLEY AG
233
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS
914
PINNO BUILDINGS
332
PROHARVEST SEEDS
314
QED DRYER SALES & MFG.
INC.
334
R.J. BOWERS DISTRIBUTORS
INC.
324
RENK SEED CO.
804
R-EQUIPMENT CO. LLC
319
RESOURCE BANK, N.A.
1105
B74211
HENDRICKSON FLYING
SERVICE INC.
227
6 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
RITEWAY MFG.
248
SHEARERWORKS SOLUTIONS
413
STONE SEED GROUP
725
ROCKFORD DIESEL INJECTION
SERVICE INC.
128
SHIVVERS MFG. INC.
723
STOR-LOC
812
SHOW-ME SHORTLINE CO. LLC
345
SYNGENTA / GOLDERN
HARVEST
710
RYDER TRANSPORTATION
344
SILVEUS INSURANCE GROUP
INC.
607
THOMPSON BUILDING CO.
721
SALFORD BY DAMBMAN
SERVICE INC.
317
SO-IL SERVICE INC.
347
TIMPTE INC.
330
SPECTRUM TECHNOLGIES INC.
614
TRACY SEEDS LLC
623
SPRINGFIELD PLASTIC INC.
1206
TRI-STATE SPRAYING SYSTEMS
349
SCHULTZ’S INTER-STATE AG
INC.
264
STEWART — PETERSON INC.
328
TROUBLE FREE LIGHTING
719
SEEDBURO EQUIPMENT
1101
STILLMAN BANK
621
UNCOMMON USA
401
SEEDIRECTYIELDIRECT
415
STINE SEED CO.
212
UNITED SOILS INC.
504
SGS NORTH AMERICA
423
STOLLERUSA
1107
UNZICKER EQUIPMENT INC.
511
ROOSTER AG’
350
SCHERTZ AERIAL SERVICE
INC.
359
VALENT U.S.A. CORP.
626
WALTERS BUILDINGS
816
WATERS EQUIPMENT
707
WICK BUILDINGS LLC
518
WINDOW WORKS
266
WISCONSIN PLASTIC DRAIN
TILE CORP.
316
WITMER PRECISION SERVICES
250
WYFFELS HYBRIDS
811
YETTER MFG CO.
216
B74196
More than 8,000 attendees are expected at the IDEAg Northern Illinois Farm
Show Jan. 8-9. The event features nearly 200 exhibitors.
Exhibitors | A to Z
YOUNG CUSTOM
CONTRACTORS
706
Z AND J FARMS
253
ZENZ BUILDINGS INC.
920
www.agrinews-pubs.com — Illinois AgriNews | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Friday, January 2, 2015 7
Exhibitors | Services
AG CONSULTING
504 UNITED SOILS INC.
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
Product Spotlight
CONVEYORS
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
707
WATERS EQUIPMENT
BUILDING EQUIPMENT
& SUPPLIES
1201 BLUNIER BUILDERS
INC.
625 BORKHOLDER BUILDINGS
1101 SEEDBURO EQUIPMENT
COVERS/BAGS
1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
CROP PROTECTION
802 ALPHA AG SOLUTIONS
BUILDINGS
1201 BLUNIER BUILDERS
INC.
625 BORKHOLDER BUILDINGS
708 ENERGY PANEL
STRUCTURES
409 FBI BUILDINGS INC.
608 LESTER BUILDING
SYSTEMS LLC
920 ZENZ BUILDINGS
INC.
COMMUNICATIONS
407
NICOMM LLC
CUSTOM APPLICATION
EQUIPMENT
233
OHIO VALLEY AG
DIGITAL MAPPING
200 LINCO PRECISION
LLC
DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE
802 ALPHA AG SOLUTIONS
ELECTRICAL
116 KISHWAUKEE
COLLEGE
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
CONSERVATION TILLAGE
EQUIPMENT
FERTILIZER
502 AGRIENERGY
RESOURCES
411 CADY INC.
B74246
504 UNITED SOILS INC.
8 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
Exhibitors | Services
FERTILIZER APPLICATION
EQUIPMENT
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
233 OHIO VALLEY AG
GRAIN DRYERS
264 SCHULTZ’S
INTER-STATE AG INC.
723 SHIVVERS MFG. INC.
HAULING & HANDLING
EQUIPMENT
411
CADY INC.
PEST CONTROL
1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
HAY EQUIPMENT
FORAGE/SILAGE
411
CADY INC.
FORKLIFTS/LOADERS
511 UNZICKER EQUIPMENT INC.
GENERATORS
707
WATERS EQUIPMENT
GRAIN BINS
GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT
264 SCHULTZ’S
INTER-STATE AG INC.
1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
723 SHIVVERS MFG. INC.
HARVESTING EQUIPMENT
413 SHEARERWORKS
SOLUTIONS
723 SHIVVERS MFG. INC.
411 CADY INC.
264 SCHULTZ’S
INTER-STATE AG INC.
1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
SIDING
625 BORKHOLDER
BUILDINGS
PLANTING EQUIPMENT
1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
SILO REPAIR
411
SNOW REMOVAL
HOME CONSTRUCTION
1201 BLUNIER BUILDERS
INC.
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT
707
WATERS EQUIPMENT
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
PRODUCTS
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
233 OHIO VALLEY AG
1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
504 UNITED SOILS INC.
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
SPRAYERS
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
SPRAYERS & ACCESSORIES
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT
417 NORTH CENTRAL
IRRIGATION
LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT
411
CADY INC.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
411
CADY INC.
SPREADERS
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
TANKS
1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
411
SCALES
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
MANURE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
411
CADY INC.
METAL ROOFS
GUESS THE AVERAGE PRICE
DECEMBER 15 CORN WILL BE
AND WIN A CRAFTSMAN TOOL
BOX AND TOOLS!
625 BORKHOLDER
BUILDINGS
ORGANICS
502 AGRIENERGY
RESOURCES
CADY INC.
TRAILERS
1101 SEEDBURO
EQUIPMENT
TRUCKS & ACCESSORIES
200 LINCO PRECISION LLC
SEED
705 AGRIGOLD HYBRIDS
908 DAIRYLAND SEED CO.
INC.
WASTE HANDLING
411
CADY INC.
WINDOWS
625 BORKHOLDER
BUILDINGS
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.
RISK MANAGEMENT HAS THE RIGHT TOOLS
FOR YOUR MARKETING PLAN
FILL OUT THE INFORMATION CARD
TO ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!
ENTER TO WIN AT OUR BOOTH AT THE
FOLLOWING FARM SHOWS:
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW~JANUARY 7-8
HAWKEYE FARM SHOW, IOWA~MARCH 3-5
OR CALL OUR OFFICE AT 866-837-9027
TO GIVE US YOUR PRICE GUESS.
ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 30.
B69282
CADY INC.
Join Us for Our Winter Meeting
Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 - Lafayette, Indiana
at The Purdue Beck Center.
Dinner/Meeting begins at 5:30 pm EST.
Please RSVP by calling 866-837-9027,
or email [email protected]
Trading futures and options involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable
for all investors. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
About 200 exhibitors will be featured at the IDEAg Northern Illinois Farm Show Jan. 8-9.
www.agrinews-pubs.com — Illinois AgriNews | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Friday, January 2, 2015 9
Mark Tuttle, president of the DeKalb
County Farm
Bureau, speaks at
the dedication ceremony of the historical marker, which
recognizes the
group of farmers,
businessmen and
bankers who joined
together in 1912 to
form a coalition that
became the first
Farm Bureau in
Illinois.
Historical markers recognize ag innovation
the country,” said Larry Mix,
president of the DeKalb Area
Agricultural
Heritage
Association.
“The DeKalb County Farm
Bureau story is important to tell
because it underscores not all
great ag innovations are primarily technical or scientific in
nature,” Mix said. “Some are
more organizational and rela-
SYCAMORE, Ill. — Historical
markers now recognize the heritage of agricultural innovation
in DeKalb County.
“We’re proud to join with you
to dedicate a marker recognizing the first Farm Bureau in
Illinois and among the first in
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SEA MINERALS.
things have happened over that
century including the advancement of hybrid seed corn, which
led to DeKalb Ag Research.”
The development of hybrid
corn impacts farmers far beyond
DeKalb County.
“DeKalb hybrids are now sold
by
Monsanto
worldwide,”
Tuttle said. “People across the
world will have a good nutritious meal tonight because of
the efforts that happened 102
years ago.”
Those who joined together
100 years ago to focus on
improving crop production and
establish a farmer-led organization were looking forward
toward the future, he noted.
OTHER MARKERS
The marker at the Farm
Bureau building is one of three
erected in DeKalb County this
fall.
The first marker was placed
at the location of the first
DeKalb hybrid corn breeding
plot along Nelson Road, off of
Route 38.
The other marker is at the
DeKalb home of the first farm
adviser for the county, William
Eckhardt.
Martha Blum can be reached at
815-223-2558, ext. 117, or
[email protected]. Follow her on Twitter
at: @AgNews_Blum.
1-800-967-0452
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Bus. (309) 263-8059
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Fax (309) 263-7323
tional like bringing together
farmers to look at their ideas in
new ways, to tackle big challenges and achieve big results
which individuals could not
have achieved on their own.”
The new marker stands outside the DeKalb County Farm
Bureau Building.
“Great technology alone can
not meet the huge challenge of
feeding 7 billion people,” Mix
said.
“Hats off to you DeKalb
County Farm Bureau, the genius
and effectiveness of your innovative idea has been tested by time,
and more than 100 years later,
you’re still going strong and
staying true to your mission of
serving farm, family and community,” he said.
On March 27, 1912, the
DeKalb
County
Soil
Improvement Association was
incorporated with the state of
Illinois. In 1926, this group officially changed its name to the
DeKalb County Farm Bureau.
“A group of smart people got
together when they started the
soil improvement association,”
said Mark Tuttle, president of
the DeKalb bureau. “A lot of
1000 E. Queenwood Rd.
Morton, IL 61550
email: [email protected]
B74249
B74212
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
B74254
By Martha Blum
10 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
DeKalb County takes the lead in agriculture
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
DEKALB, Ill. — Quality soils,
proximity to markets and active
farmer leadership are just a few of
the factors that contribute to the
strong agricultural industry in
DeKalb County.
A significant portion of the
county is devoted to some type of
agricultural production.
“In this county, 88 percent of
the land is involved in agriculture,” said Greg Millburg, manager of the DeKalb County Farm
Bureau. “That hasn’t changed a
whole lot in the last 20-some
years.”
And, Millburg said, 98 percent
of the land has prime soils.
“Our strength is the soils in this
county and the climate of northern Illinois, which has been very
beneficial to agriculture over the
years,” he said.
Policy decisions made by
DeKalb County government officials have been supportive of the
county’s ag industry.
“The DeKalb County Board
understands the economic engine
that agriculture is for this county,
and the support dates back into
the ‘70s,” Millburg said.
“In order to build a house in an
agriculture-zoned area, you need
40 acres.”
The rule is designed to keep
growth in the county close to
municipalities.
“That is not only good for the
municipalities as far as providing
services to the residents, but also
good for agriculture by keeping
growth from occurring in the
middle of a rural area,” Millburg
said.
“We have access to several
markets through the Illinois
River, rail facilities, good roads
and our close proximity to
Chicago,” said Mark Tuttle, a
Somonauk farmer who has
served as the president of DeKalb
County Farm Bureau since
March 2012. “This county is a
major producer of hogs and cattle, which is rooted to Chicago,
which at one time was a major
market for cattle and hogs.”
According to the National
Agricultural Statistics Service, in
2012, DeKalb County farmers
planted 233,500 acres of corn
that produced more than 36 million bushels of corn and 92,000
acres of soybeans that resulted in
more than 4.7 million bushels of
soybeans during a growing season that was hurt by drought.
As of Dec. 1, 2012, the service
reported, livestock producers in
the county raised 235,000 head of
hogs and pigs and 29,000 head of
cattle and calves.
CORN, SOYBEANS, LIVESTOCK
“Corn and soybeans are the top
grain commodities in the county,
and we are very strong in livestock production, as well,”
Millburg said. “For pork production, we are usually the top one
or two counties in the state, and
for beef production, we are
around the top 10 county in the
state.”
“There is a unique and strong
history of DeKalb County that
dates back to prior to our organization, including some yearly
inventions,” he added.
One example is Joseph F.
Glidden, who received a patent
for barbed wire in 1874. Another
example is the development of
DeKalb hybrid corn that began
with breeding work in the 1910s.
The DeKalb company experienced several name changes until
the late 1990s, when it was purchased by Monsanto Co.
“These are the types of innovations that have reached far outside our boundaries,” Millburg
said. “Over 100 years ago, a
group of farmers and community
members saw a need to support
agriculture and farming practices,
the economic benefit of this
industry and how it would help
communities in the future. That
group included a variety of people like bankers and newspaper
people, not just farmers who saw
the benefit of an organization.”
On March 27, 1912, the
DeKalb
County
Soil
Improvement Association was
incorporated with the state of
Illinois. The group officially
changed its name to the DeKalb
County Farm Bureau in 1926.
“Now we have county Farm
Bureaus throughout Illinois, state
associations through the country
and the American Farm Bureau
Federation, and it all started with
the grassroots movement of a
membership organization in the
early 1900s,” said Millburg, who
grew up on a grain and livestock
farm in the central part of Illinois.
“One of our strengths is the
high-quality leadership of our
farmers who have worked with
porting ag commodities,” he said.
“I grew up raising hogs, and we
had a small cow-calf operation,
but for about the last 20 years,
we’ve focused on grain production. I have lived within a quarter
mile of here — I’ve never left this
farm.”
Tuttle attended Joliet Junior
College and completed his bachelor’s degree in agronomy at Iowa
State University. Mark and
Christina Tuttle are the parents of
Katherine, Elaine, Paula, Nelsen
and Erik.
The large consumer market of
Chicago provides opportunities
for DeKalb County farmers.
“The key for us in agriculture is
to provide information and educate them about farming and
farming practices,” Millburg said.
“It is critical we have an Ag in the
Classroom program in the county
and throughout the state of
Illinois to reach youth and develop their understanding of agriculture.”
B74250
our organization and other commodity organizations in the state
and country, such as the corn
growers, soybean association,
pork producers and the cattlemen’s association,” he said.
“There is a lot of leadership by
people who have a true desire to
better this industry we call agriculture,” Millburg said. “And they
have contributed to not just agriculture but to the communities
and growth of DeKalb County.”
“Our farmers are active on the
county board, hospital boards,
school boards, church boards and
lots of other groups,” Tuttle said.
“We have knowledgeable people
willing to serve on our Farm
Bureau board that represent business, livestock, grain and organic
operations.”
Tuttle raises corn, soybeans,
wheat, sweet corn and peas on
the family farm operation near
Somonauk.
“We also have a trucking business that is mostly involves trans-
By Martha Blum
www.agrinews-pubs.com — Illinois AgriNews | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Friday, January 2, 2015 11
Kankakee
County farm
chips in for
popular snack
By Tom C. Doran
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
Tom Hoekstra (left) and his father,
Bob, explain how their harvester
scoops potatoes out of the field and
transports them through a series of
conveyors to separate the soil and
debris from the potatoes. Hoekstra
Potato Farm, on the east edge of St.
Anne, Ill., has been operating for four
generations to provide products for
potato chip companies.
planted in a field once every
three to four years, with corn or
beans on the off years.
SLICED SEED
Unlike corn or soybeans, one
won’t find potato seed bags piled
in the shop.
In fact, the “seed” is a whole
potato. A few weeks before they
plant, Hoekstra and his crew run
these “seed potatoes” through a
mechanical cutter to chop them
into two-ounce pieces. The cut-up
potatoes are planted.
Planting begins the first week
of April and runs through midMay — a six- to seven-week window to plant. A pick planter, a
machine not all that different
from the units most grain farmers
run, is used. It has a large hopper
that holds all the seed pieces, and
mechanical wheels for each row
that turn to pick a seed piece and
drop it into the seed furrow.
The harvest begins in a field of
flowers.
Some potato plants bloom as
the tubers grow underground.
Different varieties mature at different times — early varieties at
90 days, with others taking up to
120 days.
The harvested potatoes go
through a series of quality checks
before leaving the farm.
Tom C. Doran can be reached at
815-780-7894 or
[email protected].
Follow him on Twitter at:
@AgNews_Doran.
B74245
ST. ANNE, Ill. — Not every
Illinois producer knows he’s eating his own crops for lunch.
That’s just one way Tom
Hoekstra is unique. Tear open a
bright, foil bag filled with Jays
potato chips in the next few
months, and chances are you’ll
be eating Hoekstra’s potatoes —
grown on a Kankakee County
farm and fried at a factory just
down the road.
While the end result is unique,
the day-to-day tasks of potato
farming might not be that different from your own farm operation.
Unlike most farms in Illinois
and western Indiana, Hoekstra
Potato Farm sits on sandy soil —
just right for growing potatoes.
Potatoes need plenty of water,
but they also need quick water
drainage that sandier soils provide.
In fact, southern Kankakee
County is one of the only areas in
Illinois that is conducive to potato production. Hoekstra estimates that only a half a dozen
other farms in the state produce
potatoes.
Hoekstra Farm raises a round,
white potato variety that is used
exclusively for potato chips.
Within the potato chip category,
the farm has raised many different varieties over the years.
But there are no potato seed
salesmen. In fact, potato-raising
is on contract — whatever quantities the farm grows are already
spoken for. Hoekstra’s customers,
including Frito-Lay, Jays, Cape
Cod and other regional brands,
choose the varieties. Most suggest
public varieties, but Frito-Lay
requires Hoekstra to use its own
proprietary potato seeds.
The farm also is required to
receive all its seeds from a certified state to ensure that they are
free from bacteria and disease.
Illinois does not have a seed
certification program, so most of
the farm’s seeds come from
Wisconsin.
Like
most
Midwestern farms, Hoekstra
rotates the crops with potatoes
Come visit our booth 1101 for our SHOW SPECIAL PRICE
12 Friday, January 2, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS FARM SHOW | Illinois AgriNews — www.agrinews-pubs.com
• PORK NEWS - 1st Week •
• BEEF NEWS - 2nd Week •
• AGRI TRUCKER - Weekly •
FEATURE IL 2014
• INSURANCE PAGE - 3rd Week •
• FARM FAMILY LIFE - 3rd Week •
• MONEY NEWS - 4th Week •
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