(The Center Square) – With no end in sight for negotiations on a new federal farm bill, harvest season is in full swing in Illinois.
The comprehensive package of legislation that sets agriculture policy for the country is supposed to be updated every five years, but lawmakers can’t come to an agreement. An extension of the 2018 Farm Bill expired Sept. 30 and it is likely another extension is in the works.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said the House has moved what he called a “very good” Farm Bill out of committee. He told WGEM TV in Quincy that the farm bill will address a controversial California initiative that establishes space requirements for livestock.
“It is a law that was put in place by vote in the state of California that basically would force our producers here, in the state of Illinois, to be compliant in their production of hogs, in this case, by their standards instead of leaving that to the individual state,” Bost said.
Meanwhile, Mark Schleusener, Illinois state statistician with the United States Department of Agriculture, said about a quarter of the soybean crop in Illinois has been harvested.
“Soybeans harvested reached 24%, compared to the 5-year average of 11%,” said Schleusener. “Soybeans condition was rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 23% fair, 57% good, and 15% excellent.”
Corn harvested reached 21%, compared to the 5-year average of 16%.
A familiar site is apparent this time of year in Illinois as combines are out in the fields. Zach Hinthorn with Country Financial said motorists should be aware of slower moving vehicles on the roads.
“Combines are bigger than they have ever been, and it seems like every year people forget that large equipment is on the roads during harvest time,” said Hinthorn.
Illinois is the No. 1 producer of soybeans in the country and the No. 2 producer of corn.
