Illinois is in the top four states for highest reported confined ag space cases, according to a recent summary of last year’s frequency and causes of confined space and grain entrapment incidents in the agricultural industry. With 218 Illinois cases, it’s a good reminder to everyone in the ag industry to take extra precautions when working in confined spaces such as grain bins, silos and manure storage facilities.   Read more

It’s only September, but Tom Eickman of Eickman’s Meat Processing has had Christmas on his mind since April. As the third-generation operator of the family business, he still utilized his grandpa’s old-school methods to prepare hams. The key is to “keep it consistent, don’t cut corners,” he said. He will sell 1,500 to 1,700 hams during the Christmas season. Listen to how he is preparing for this year’s demand.   Listen

Dan Meinhart, a FarmWeek CropWatcher from Jasper County, began corn harvest last week. “The yield is good,” he said. Bean harvest began over the weekend, but he hasn’t received any early yield reports. Listen to his full harvest update with RFD’s Jim Taylor.

Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator program helps to educate urban legislators about agriculture and rural life. More than 20 adopted legislators participated in visits this summer with their adopted counties. Read about their visits and what they learned in this wrap-up by FarmWeek’s Erin Henkel.   Read more

Mathew Heberling might as well have been getting into a time machine when he stepped into the combine. He recently harvested corn trials at one of seven Answer Plots in McLean County. Some of the new varieties on the plots will eventually become products on the market to help farmers boost productivity and profitability in the future. The Christian County Farm Bureau president discussed his role as the senior research manager for Winfield and as a farmer with Daniel Grant.   Read more

The current fiscal year is set to expire Saturday and the U.S. House and Senate have yet to advance or agree on 12 appropriations bills. What does that mean for rural Americans and families who rely on federal nutrition and child care programs? USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined the impacts during a briefing Monday.   Read more