Spring Farm and Field

INSIDE: MEET FFA CHAPTERS FROM ACROSS THE REGION
FARM
&FIELD
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
SPRING
2018
Farm
Family Ag Educator
of the Year:
of the Dawn Weinberg
Year
Agribusiness
of the Year:
Sullivan Auctioneers
Prices, trade, new

The Marilyn Moore family of farm bill top list of
Camp Point captures annual honor concerns in 2018
INSIDE
2 Farm Family
of the Year
FARM
&FIELD
Camp Point family
shows dedication
to community
4 Meet the judges

Learn about the panel
that chose winners
of annual honors
6 Agribusiness
of the Year
W
Sullivan Auctioneers e live in America’s heartland, merous families around the area.
of Hamilton has made and I think there is little doubt Issues facing farmers today also are a key
big strides from small that our farmers are the coun- part of this edition, ranging from a continued
beginnings try’s heart, giving life to all decline in grain prices to a soon-to-expire farm
those blessed to live here. bill.
8 Ag Educator
of the Year
Hancock County’s
And it’s not just here, either. America’s farm-
ers truly feed the world.
If you’re at all like me, you know too well the
The importance of having a succession plan to
keep the operation in a family from generation to
generation also is a topic we cover, as is the long-
Dawn Weinberg takes weeks spent working long hours. For farmers, range weather forecast for this coming spring.
ag to classrooms those weeks happen every week. If they’re not We get an assist in this issue from the Uni-
in the fields or with their herds, versity of Illinois Extension, which
11 Crop outlook
Margins to remain tight
they’re on call 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, every day of the year.
A farmer once told me that he
brings you tips on how to maximize
cattle earnings by focusing on
breeding early in the season.
12 Top concerns
Prices, trade, farm bill
among key issues
had seen the sun coming up over
the mule quite a few days, either
working through the night or rising
And we also introduce you
to many of the hard-working
members of the next generation
far earlier than the sun to tend to of farmers and employees in the
14 Key cattleman
Shelby County rancher
is 2018 president of
his chores.
Having grown up on a cattle
farm in east Texas, I lived a few of
agricultural field, all members of
the numerous FFA chapters actively
involved in teaching and sharing
Missouri Cattleman’s those mornings, too. the importance of ag in all our lives.
Association So I have a great appreciation for Some of my finest memories of
the American farmer, and I hope Ron Wallace adolescence come from the time I
16 Dairy outlook you do, too. spent active in my local FFA and
Publisher
Mount Sterling That appreciation helps drive 4-H chapters. I learned many valu-
farmer is committed the pride I have in this publication, which has able lessons through that involvement, not the
to production grown substantially since we moved to this for- least of which was the sense of accomplishment
mat, allowing us to showcase more farmers and that comes from a hard day’s work.
18 Fiscal forecast
Farm income likely to be
down in 2018
more aspects of farm life than ever before.
This issue, of course, finds us honoring some
remarkable individuals, families and compa-
One just has to look at the hundreds of young
people you’ll find in this issue to remind yourself
that their future is, indeed, bright.
nies, starting with the Marilyn Moore family of As always, thank you for reading. I hope you
20 Spring weather
Cool, wet days ahead
Camp Point, our Farm Family of the Year.
As the story inside profiling them says, their
foundation has been laid with tradition, faith,
find as much value in these pages as I did, and I
look forward to hearing from you.
22 Extension tips
Early breeding key
respect and a belief in community. Those are
qualities that we all can appreciate and admire,
and they are qualities that can be found in nu-
24 Future farm bill

Crop insurance
a top priority
26 Succession plans Published by MANAGING STAFF WRITERS PHOTOGRAPHY

Keep farm in the family EDITOR Matt Dutton Phil Carlson
The Herald-Whig Jason Lewton, 221-3321 Steve Eighinger Michael Kipley
28
130 S. Fifth, Quincy, IL 62301 jlewton@whig.com Matt Hopf Jake Shane
FFA evolution Phone: 217-223-5100 Deborah Gertz Husar
Changes reflect ag growth Fax: 217-221-3395 PRODUCTION COPY EDITING
MANAGER Edward Husar
Ashley Szatala John Potts
28 FFA chapters PUBLISHER Karen Hull, 221-3380

khull@whig.com Doug Wilson
See groups from Ron Wallace, 221-3381
around the region rwallace@quincyinc.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Gary Loftus, 221-3309
gloftus@whig.com
The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 1

8FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR
Tradition, faith, respect &
community
Traits are a key part of everyday life for the Marilyn Moore family of Camp Point
The family of Marilyn Moore, center, on the family farm

outside Camp Point. The photo features three generations of
agriculture involvement. Photo by Jake Shane
2 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

| By Deborah Gertz Husar
L
dhusar@whig.com
exie Niekamp
has her future all
figured out.
The 7-year-
old wants to be
a farmer — just
like her parents,
grandparents,
and great-grandparents Marilyn
and the late Ron Moore.
That sense of tradition
coupled with strong faith,
respect for others and a love of
community made the Marilyn
Moore family of Camp Point the
2018 Herald-Whig Farm Family
of the Year.
“It’s just kind of born into
you,” Marilyn said. “Even my
father many years ago said, ‘I’d
pay somebody to be a farmer.’
You have a love of nature, the
outdoors, the freedom to be your
own boss and enjoy what you
love to do.”
The Moores started farming
in 1953 and took over the Bruns
Brothers seed company, both
in partnership with his brother
Jim. The family sold the seed
company in 1985.
“They represent the diversi-
fied areas of agriculture as
well as the traditional family
structure with love of family
and of faith,” the nomination
letter said.
The Moores raised four
children — David, Diane, Donna
and Dean — and saw the family
grow to include 14 grandkids
and soon-to-be 22 great-grand-
kids.
Dean gradually took over the
farming operation raising corn,
soybeans and a small amount
of wheat with help from his
wife, Dorethy, and their three
children — while continuing to
farm Marilyn’s home place near
Industry — all at the whim of
the weather.
“You can’t control it. You do
the best you can and have faith.
It will work out. Most times it
does, maybe not quite like we
hoped,” Dean said. “Dad was not
a worrier, and I’ve been accused
of being unconcerned in the
past.”
Dean increased the number of
acres farmed and the productiv-
ity of the land “through conser-
vation methods, sound business
practices and utilizing technol-
ogy for efficiency,” the nomina-
tion said. “He seeks input from
soil fertility data, seed hybrid
data and pesticide information
Continues on 4

ContinueD FROm 3 beyond the farm into the com- death in 2004. Ron took note of community,
munity. “He loved to be involved and and individual, needs — some-
in order to make informed deci- “Another aspect closely tied to help people,” Marilyn said. thing also passed down to his
sions for the farm.” farming is a sense of communi- He served on the Chaddock children.
Donna and her husband, ty,” David said. “You can’t do this board and the Adams County Red A stash of notecards, actu-
Randy Niekamp, sell semen for in a vacuum. Even the strongest Cross Board, and he was involved ally tags to put on bags of seed,
artificial insemination to inde- of families sooner or later has to in Camp Point United Methodist kept in a pocket were filled with
pendent sow farms across the reach out, help others.” Church. Beyond the farming op- chores for the kids, jokes to
Midwest, as well as to produc- Ron set the example with eration, he managed Camp Point remember and people to pray for
ers in Europe, Asia and South farming and being involved in Mutual Insurance for nine years and add to his prayer journal.
America. The couple also have education, serving on the Cen- and drove for Dot Foods for four “He was always proactive,”
a flock of hair sheep, and son tral School Board for several years before retiring. Marilyn’s son-in-law Mike Ten-
Luke, Lexie’s dad, manages the years, and while board presi- “A large part of why Dad house said. “He could take an
row crop operation. dent, casting the deciding vote was able to be so community- idea, he could see things, and as
With more than one genera- to launch the School District’s minded was that Mom was very long as he thought the goal was
tion involved in both operations, football program. He was a capable and willing to be home a good thing, he was all in. He
“there’s a lot of cooperation, car- member of the first John Wood by herself. She wasn’t the one never backed off, whether it was
ing for the other’s thoughts and Community College Board and out there doing it, but she was a controversy on the School Board
actions,” Marilyn said. the board of its foundation big supporter to allowing him to or building a school or things at
That sense of caring extends from its founding until his do that,” Donna said. church.” n
Judges say Moore family stands out Agriculture, education

This year’s Farm Family
of the Year judges readily
agreed on one thing: It’s
passed down in family
not easy choosing just one
winner. | By Deborah Gertz Husar
dhusar@whig.com
enumerator,” David said.
“Each of us has gone on to get
T
But the judges — Johanna at least a bachelor’s degree or
Fuller, district conserva- he Moore family’s more and have been involved in
tionist with the Natural roots run deep in education. Diane was a kinder-
Resources Conservation Adams County. garten teacher for 30-plus years.
Service in Morgan, Pike and Andrew Moore Donna was on the School Board
Scott counties; Brandon Fuller Holley came to Adams a few years ago. Dean is on the
Holley, Adams County Farm County in 1836 after losing his board now and its president.
Service Agency executive wife and a couple of his children I was at Vatterott College for
director; Ashley Johnson, to a cholera epidemic in Ken- years as an administrator and
district conservationist with tucky. His oldest daughter and instructor. I don’t think it would
NRCS in Clark, Knox, Lewis her husband had settled around have been as important if there
and Scotland counties in Kellerville, and Andrew, a hadn’t been a tradition of agri-
Northeast Missouri; Wyatt farmer, “brought his remaining culture, a tradition of education.
Miller, University of Mis- family up here to have her help I didn’t consciously think about
souri Extension agronomy raise the youngest kids,” said it, but I know it kind of moti-
specialist based in Palmyra, David Moore, a son of Marilyn vated me.”
Mo.; and Herald-Whig Staff and the late Ron Moore and the David spent 20 years in the
Writer Deborah Gertz Husar Johnson Miller family’s unofficial genealogist. Air Force, training as a Rus-
— agreed the Marilyn Moore Joseph Moore, David’s great- sian linguist, before working
family stood out. great-grandfather, was 6 years in financial services, getting
Fuller highlighted the family’s conservation old when the family moved involved in education and con-
mindset and community activities, while Holley ap- to Adams County. They later tinuing to substitute teach while
preciated the work ethic shown by the Moores and moved to the Camp Point area, living back in Adams County
the other nominated families. drawn by the schools the com- with his wife, Theresa.
“They’re putting back more into the community. munity offered. All four kids, and their
They’re just involved,” Johnson said,. Joseph farmed and married spouses, remain active in the
Just recognizing a farm family each year is the teacher who taught him to community and at church —
important as consumers become further removed read, launching the twin inter- Camp Point United Methodist
from the farm. ests in agriculture and educa- for three of the four and the
“Farm families are a big educational tool for ag- Husar tion that passed down to his Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
riculture. They’re the boots on the ground, what’s son Sollis, Sollis’ son Harry and day Saints for David — and are
really happening out there in real life,” Johnson said. Harry’s son Ron. seeing their children continue
“It highlights the importance of agriculture in our area,” Fuller said. “It “Each of us four kids have working both on the farm and in
also recognizes the outstanding work farm families do in agriculture and carried on the ag tradition the community.
the contributions they bring to their community.” in one form or another. Dean “It takes a lot of patience
Seeing several of the family members go away to college, then come took on the farming aspect. on both sides. It takes a little
back either to the farm or to the community, “brings a better perspective Donna and Randy have their while for the next generation
maybe to the farming operation,” Holley said. own agricultural operation. to figure it out,” Randy said.
“We have less and less farm families every year,” Holley said. “In most Diane and Mike, he teaches ag “Faith and everything else we’re
Missouri counties, farms are getting larger and larger. Adams County still at John Wood and raises beef talking about is what holds it
has some small-farm families in it because of the industry and things that cattle. I do part-time work for all together while transition is
are here.” n the Department of Ag as a field happening.” n

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8AgRIBUSINESS of the year
‘The future is bright’

From small start, generation of the business.
“We started out very small,”
nology has come is absolutely
unbelievable,” Sullivan said, “but
is a regular supporter of county
fairs in the region, local Lions
Sullivan Auctioneers John Sullivan said. “We had a we’ve really tried to stay abreast clubs and countless benefits.
few sales the first year, a few of it.” “We know our bread and but-
has grown to nearly more the next year, and it just Sullivan Auctioneers has ter is agriculture, and we try to
250 auctions a year kind of grew over the years.”
As the business grew, more of
expanded its reach through the
internet and advertise auctions
give back to that ag community
as much as we can,” he said.
the brothers slowly found their all over the world. It’s common to Sullivan Auctioneers holds
| By Matt Dutton way into it. Today, the business receive calls or bids from as far about 250 auctions each year,
S
mdutton@whig.com employs about 50 people, as well as California, Texas and Canada. Sullivan said. Last year, the
as some seasonal workers, and Sullivan Auctioneers has had business had more auctions than
ullivan Auctioneers is known primarily for its sales buyers from Europe and South ever before, indicating that it is
of Hamilton, Ill., of farmland and agricultural America. The company has held continuing to grow.
has been named the equipment. Ten Sullivan family auctions in California and across “The future is bright,” he said.
Quincy Area Cham- members work there full time. the Midwest and has an upcom- “We have the next generation of
ber of Commerce’s “Like any family business, ing auction in Delaware. auctioneers, and they are tech-
2018 Agribusiness everybody kind of knows what “It has broadened our buyer savvy.”
of the Year. everybody’s thinking, and every- base I don’t know how many Sullivan said the business’s
The family- body does what has to be done,” times over,” Sullivan said. use of social media to advertise
owned business started in 1979 Sullivan said. “When you work The business will be honored upcoming sales is a byproduct of
in Hamilton selling pots and in a family business, it’s not like at the Chamber of Commerce’s what he calls the third genera-
pans — doing household sales you clock in and out.” annual Ag Dinner. Sullivan said tion of auctioneers. His father
and the occasional farm auction Sullivan attributes a large that because their family grew up was the first generation. He and
when it was lucky enough to get part of the business’ success to on a farm, agriculture has always his siblings are the second, and
one, said John Sullivan, one of an ability to adapt with evolving been important to the business. their children are the third.
the owners and managers of the technologies. He said Sullivan “We’ve really tried to work “They’re just good, hard work-
business. The business has eight Auctioneers was one of, if not hard to represent the ag commu- ers. They have the technology,
partners: John Sullivan, Dan the first, auction company in the nity,” he said. “That’s our heart they have the compassion for
Sullivan, Joe Sullivan and Jim region to launch a website. The and soul.” the business, and they can deal
Sullivan, who are all brothers, business also was one of the first The business financially sup- with the public,” Sullivan said.
and Matt Sullivan, Michael Sul- to put color pictures of items and ports many agriculture pro- “It truly is a family business, and
livan, Luke Sullivan and James real estate on its sale bills. grams across the region, like 4-H that was something my dad was
Sullivan, who make up the next “Just to see where this tech- and FFA. Sullivan Auctioneers certainly proud of.” n

Sullivan Auctioneers’ classic car auction each spring draws large crowds. The Hamilton, Ill., firm was
names the 2018 Agribusiness of the Year. Photo by Michael Kipley
Crop • Farm • Home • Auto

Business • Life
Congratulations to the Marilyn Moore Family

on your Farm Family of the Year Award!
Zach Baucom
of Daniel G. Frese Insurance
201 E. Wood St., Camp Point, IL
217-593-6386
Licensed in Illinois and Missouri
CAMP POINT MUTUAL

PAYSON FARMERS MUTUAL

8Ag educator of the year
Dawn Weinberg leads a sixth-grade class in an activity to teach

them about mining using chocolate chip cookies. Weinberg has
her students imagine the cookies are cotton and the chips are
seeds that need to be removed. Photo by Jake Shane
Seeds of
knowledge
its importance, thanks to a blend of fun facts
and hands-on learning activities.
“I tell kids all the time it doesn’t matter
what you’re interested in. If you like art,
math, science or enjoy being outside, there
is a career in ag for you if you want it,”
Weinberg said. “There are so many different
opportunities available that it’s really im-
portant for them even at a young age to have
Weinberg takes agriculture’s story those seeds planted, so that they can explore
them as they move through their education.”
Back in Donna Harmon’s classroom,
to Hancock County classrooms Weinberg leads the students through a quiz
on cotton facts, with students correctly say-
ing that the United States was not the first
| By Deborah Gertz Husar impact on students, teachers and families country to cultivate cotton (it was India) and
D
dhusar@whig.com made her the 2018 Ag Educator of the Year. learning that the part of cotton used to make
The fourth annual award, presented by clothing is lint.
awn Weinberg loves it the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Highlighting the fact that one bale of
when things work out just Agribusiness Committee, recognizes some- cotton will make 1,217 T-shirts brings math
right in a Hancock County one who helps others learn about agricul- skills into the discussion as Weinberg asks
classroom. ture. students how to write that number on the
Weinberg, the county’s “My students and former students have board, then determine how much money one
ag literacy coordinator, learned so much from the Ag in the Class- bale of cotton yields if it makes 313,600 $100
planned a lesson on cot- room Program,” Nauvoo-Colusa teacher bills.
ton for Warsaw fourth- Rena Rose wrote in nominating Weinberg “This is perfect. Multiplying by 10s and
graders just as the class was studying the for the award. “There is such a disconnect 100s is exactly what we’re doing in math,”
Southeast and Gulf states — prime cotton with the consumers on where our food Harmon said. “This gives them a little bit ex-
country. comes from. Many kids and parents think tra beyond what I’m using, and since we’re
Making sure students understand more that the food we eat comes from the grocery an agricultural area, all of the kids can have
about commodities, not just those grown in store, or that chocolate milk comes from something to add in from their agricultural
Illinois, and agriculture in general has been brown cows.” experience. It makes it real life, makes it
Weinberg’s goal for nearly 20 years of class- Working with students of all ages, Wein-
room programs. Her enthusiasm and lasting berg sets them straight on agriculture and Continues on 10

Continued FROm 8 opted to stay in Hancock for the as you can,” she said. “Get the esting educational activities.”
chance to see her sons in their seeds as clean as you can. If you All the activities appeal to
make more sense.” classrooms. leave a bunch of cotton fiber on fourth-grader Zach Bryant, who
It turns out working with the “We’ve had some really, really there, you are causing me to lose lives in the country but not on
Ag in the Classroom program scary lean times, but the fact money. I am going to sell cotton a farm and likes learning more
also made sense to Weinberg. that there has been consistent fiber for money and save seeds about agriculture.
Produce manager at the gro- financial support to continue for next year.” Weinberg said: “We need to
cery store in Carthage and a Girl this program is amazing to Working with the prickly cot- make sure we’re taking care of
Scout leader at the time, Wein- me because I do feel what I do ton made Aubree Carle’s fingers everything we have right now.
berg sought the job in 1998 at is important, but I don’t know hurt, but she still liked having One thing I truly emphasize to
the suggestion of then Hancock that it’s more important than Weinberg in her classroom. the kids is, our producers are
County Farm Bureau Manager anything else,” she said. “Know- “You get to learn about stuff some of the best stewards we
Rob Clark, who considered her ing they’re willing to put money you didn’t know,” Aubree said. have because they are making
a good fit for the expanding behind it is very humbling.” “If you want to be something their money from the land that
program in Hancock and Mc- Now she does 85 programs like a farmer, then you would they’re farming or raising their
Donough counties sponsored monthly, primarily for elementa- know more about it when you livestock on. They’re well-aware if
initially by University of Illinois ry students at schools across the do that.” they don’t take care of it, it won’t
Extension and Farm Bureau. county while working with other Weinberg credits school be there to continue what they’re
“I was one of nine in the state. projects, including the annual administrators and teachers doing or pass it down to their
Ag in the Classroom had materials Safety Fair, the county fair and for their impact on building ag children or family members.”
but wasn’t nearly as focused as it the Farm Bureau Farm to Table literacy countywide. With the youngest students,
is now. We all just kind of took a Dinner, and volunteering as a “As much as I love the kids, if Weinberg tries to do an art proj-
plunge together trying to figure Boy Scout leader. the teachers didn’t let me in the ect or similar take-home project.
it out,” she said. “We’ve come a On a recent day in Warsaw, classroom, it wouldn’t be as suc- “So when parents open their
long way, not just individually or she had sixth-graders “mining” cessful as what I’ve been with bookbag, there’s a conversation
countywise, but the whole move- chocolate chips out of cookies as this program,” she said. about what did you learn,” she
ment has come a long way.” part of a lesson in mining, read “The students get that ‘she said.
Soil and Water Conserva- a book about corn to second- gets them’ no matter what age, “The littles are fun, but I defi-
tion districts added financial graders and had those fourth- kindergarten through high nitely enjoy seeing the growth
support to the program in 2001. graders hand-ginning cotton school,” Hancock County Farm of the older kids after I’ve seen
By 2006, Weinberg had more for the “plantation owner” she Bureau Manager Kristin Huls them pre-K to kindergarten to
requests than she could fill, and portrayed. wrote in a nomination. “Dawn fifth- or sixth-grade. I know the
the counties decided to fund “For the next three minutes, is a mover and shaker, never light switch has turned on. They
individual programs. Familiar you are going to try to get as saying no and always, always, get it. They’re putting the whole
with both counties, Weinberg many seeds out of the cotton boll always sharing ideas for inter- picture together.” n

8CROP OUTLOOK
Margins tight heading into spring planting
| By Deborah Gertz Husar acres into soybean acres. We’ll “I think you’re said in a news release. “Strong
F
dhusar@whig.com see more acres of soybeans cotton and spring wheat prices
planted than we did last year,” going to see may see additional acreage al-
armers may have
themselves to
Edwards said.
“World demand seems to be
a shift in this located to those crops in some
areas as well during the spring.”
blame in part for a lot stronger for soybeans and area, especially Hubbs said the present out-
slumping com-
modity prices.
soybean meal than it does for
corn and feed grains. In this
in Missouri, look projects ample corn sup-
plies in 2018, which likely will
“Part of the area, we think about feeding to move some keep prices in the current range
problem is we’ve corn to livestock. In other parts until information on spring
done too good a of the world, they feed wheat corn acres into planting is released.
job of raising corn and soybeans and other products.” soybean acres.” “Planting decisions and
the last two years,” Adams The shift to beans may be spring weather conditions will
County Farm Bureau President more pronounced on marginal Rick Edwards determine if a price breakout is
Rick Edwards said. “There’s soils as farmers try to improve Adams County Farm Bureau president possible this spring,” he said. “A
good strong demand, but it’s not their bottom lines. typical price pattern suggests
enough demand to get rid of all “It may be more profitable to a price rally in late spring or
of it, to get that carryover down plant soybean this year than early summer associated with
from year to year.” corn,” Edwards said. Hubbs, like Edwards, pointed weather issue. Summer weather
With low corn and soybean Despite the large crop and to the “higher profitability and the impact it has on corn
prices and seed, fertilizer and growth of ending stocks, Uni- of soybeans relative to corn production will eventually de-
chemical costs that haven’t versity of Illinois agricultural production in many areas” and termine 2018 corn price.”
fallen very much, if at all, since economist Todd Hubbs said only a slight decrease in winter No matter what the price,
last year, margins are tight as what could help corn prices wheat seedings. farmers still will plant acres to
farmers make spring planting break out of the current range “There appears to be a limited corn, soybean and wheat.
decisions. is decreased corn areas in the area for additional acres of “It’s just their nature — and to
“I think you’re going to see a U.S. in 2018. Planted acreage in spring-planted crops, including look forward to a good harvest,”
shift in this area, especially in 2017 was 3.837 million acres less corn, associated with acreage Edwards said. “Farmers are the
Missouri, to move some corn than in 2016. related to winter wheat,” Hubbs eternal optimists.” n
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82018 outlook
“We want to raise
more next year than
the previous year
— more pigs, more
cows, more pounds
of milk — and try
to have a little fun
while doing it.
We hope to provide
enough food,
protein products
for consumers.
That’s our job.
Failure is not an
option for us.”
Todd Hays
Monroe City, Mo., farmer
Prices, trade and new farm bill among top concerns
I
| By Deborah Gertz Husar
dhusar@whig.com
profit,” said Todd Hays, a Mon-
roe City, Mo., farmer and vice
president of the Missouri Farm
Long-range weather forecasts
provide more reason for worry,
with predictions of a cool, wet
have a crop insurance plan that
helps manage that risk.”
Hays compared crop insur-
t’s nothing new for Bureau. spring that could hamper plant- ance to homeowners insurance,
farmers to worry Mount Sterling dairy farmer ing, and at the same time, farm- with both something no one
about grain and Ken Koch said: “In general, dairy ers wonder what a new farm bill wants to collect.
livestock prices. farmers are most concerned will bring. “If we collect, we either had
“Is it going to be with the price of milk dropping, Hays said farmers are es- a weather issue with a devasta-
profitable planting how far it might go, how long it pecially concerned about crop tion to yield or had something in
corn? We all know might stay there. Margins are insurance provisions in the bill prices that really declined, and
the farm yields tight in all of agriculture right that sets national farm policy. we’re on the wrong end of that,”
and the averages. now. Grain farmers, beef guys, “We have to have a good he said. “We don’t want that
We know the cost hog guys, too, and dairy is right safety net in place not only for check, but the few times we did
of production. If in there with them. There’s not established farmers, but begin- get a claim, it was sure appreci-
the price is low much room for prices to drop too ning farmers,” he said. “Weather ated.”
enough now, it’s much. Then it would be pretty is such a critical thing on what Farmers overwhelmingly
hard to pencil in a tough.” yields end up being. We have to want to see the crop insurance

tunities to market their crops.
A survey of 275 members
registered with the Illinois Farm
Bureau’s Legislative Action
Center found the top concern
was staying in the North
American Free Trade Agreement
and forging new trade agree-
ments, followed by keeping crop
insurance affordable; enacting
federal tax reform; enacting
health care policy that slows
year-to-year health insurance
premium increases; modern-
izing waterway infrastructure;
and securing improvements to
farm support programs in the
2018 farm bill.
“While members’ regula-
tory and legislative concerns
represented in this year’s survey
aren’t new, the overwhelming
concern surrounding NAFTA
and trade agreements is,” IFB
National Legislation and Policy
Director Adam Nielson said in
a news release. “Our farmers
understand the importance of
trade and value its contribu-
tion to their bottom lines, so it’s
always been a priority. However,
this year’s political focus on
NAFTA, and talks of withdraw-
ing from the trade deal, cer-
tainly keeps trade top-of-mind.”
Low commodity and livestock
prices topped concerns for Mis-
souri farmers in the Missouri
Farm Bureau’s second annual
FARMometer survey, but more
than 76 percent had an optimis-
tic outlook for 2018, up from 65
percent last year.
The fastest climbing concern
on the list was corporate mar-
keting and changing consumer
preferences, rising from last
place in 2016 to sixth. Farmers
have faced a growing onslaught
of marketing messages that both
directly and indirectly attack
common practices, including at-
tacks on biotechnology, animal
health and welfare, and the use
of common pesticides and weed
control products.
The focus for 2018, farmers
program stay as it is. say, remains on producing the
“There’s not much desire to best crop at the lowest cost.
make any modifications in that “We want to raise more next
program because it has worked year than the previous year —
so well,” Adams County Farm more pigs, more cows, more
Bureau President Rick Edwards pounds of milk — and try to
said. “Illinois farmers paid have a little fun while doing it,”
more in premiums than what Hays said. “We hope to provide
was paid out in indemnities last enough food, protein products
year, so it’s a program that had for consumers. That’s our job.
very little cost to administer in Failure is not an option for us.”
Illinois.” Whatever happens, the farm
Heading into the spring plant- community tends to take it in
ing season, farmers also are stride.
looking at expanding, downsiz- “We’ll see what happens and
ing or passing down their farms work with it,” Koch said. “That’s
while focusing on trade oppor- all you can do.” n

LEADERSHIP R
Taking key |
By Deborah Gertz Husar
dhusar@whig.com
answer: Hy-Vee and Kroger.
But the 2018 president of the Missouri Cattle-
position in
W
men’s Association always hopes for something
different.
cattle association hen Greg Buckman
asks third- and
“The ideal answer is it comes from a Missouri
cow-calf operation that worked very hard to
came naturally fourth-graders
visiting his Red Top
make sure they have a clean, healthy, safe meal
every time they sit down,” he said.
to Shelby County’s Ranch in Hallsville, Buckman may have a long wait for that
Mo.,where beef answer, given the growing disconnect between
Greg Buckman comes from, he usu- consumers of any age and the farm.
ally gets the same “Most kids are never anywhere near a cow,

show appreciation and provide
education to our consumers who
have gotten so far away from the
farm.”
Buckman works off the farm
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association President Greg Buckman feeds cattle on his Red Top Ranch near in financial planning and is a
Hallsville. Building more awareness of the beef industry, and what it does for consumers is a key goal for part owner of Apex Financial in
the Shelby County native. Photo courtesy of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Columbia, while also maintain-
ing about 200 Red Angus cows,
backgrounding calves and sell-
ing some breeding stock. He also
farms about 600 acres of corn,
soybeans and wheat, as well as
100 acres of alfalfa.
Missouri ranks third — and
has in past years been first —
in beef cattle numbers in the
nation.
“We’re very proud of that,”
Buckman said. “What we wish
we could do is find investors to
put a packing plant in Missouri
so more cattle are harvested in
Missouri instead of sent off to
Kansas and Colorado.”
A packing plant would provide
a huge economic boom for the
state beyond the chance to keep
cattle in Missouri, Buckman said.
“It would create more income
throughout the whole state, he
said.”
In the meantime, he keeps a
close eye on trade prospects to
help build the bottom line.
“We’re making small steps
forward. There’s been some
agreements reached, but there’s
a lot of red tape, justified or
otherwise,” he said. “We simply
have to be patient, and no
farmer has patience. We’re great
at raising cattle, not good at sit-
ting on our hands.”
Other countries want U.S.
beef, and Buckman thinks the
Trump administration has
helped more than hurt export
prospects.
“There’s so many more key
P ROLE
issues with trade other than just
ag that has to be considered,”
he said. “We know we want
more trade with less tariffs, less
barriers, but getting there we’re
not good at patience. We want
to take them steak tomorrow.
That’s not going to happen.”
It’s an ongoing concern not
only for beef producers, but
also for chicken, pork and dairy
producers, all working with
haven’t petted a calf or put their hands in a bucket Housewife goes to the grocery store and picks up perishable commodities.
of shelled corn,” he said. “Things we find unevent- steaks, loins, burgers, she knows she’s got a good Buckman emphasized the
ful in our lives are one of the biggest thrills.” safe source of protein.” close relationship between beef
Building more awareness of the beef industry, Taking on a leadership role to ensure that happens and dairy producers. “They’re
and what it does for consumers, is a key goal for came naturally to Buckman, who lives in Hallsville our first cousins. Half of their
Buckman. but grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Shelbina calves will be bulls and enter
“The beef cattle industry throughout Missouri and graduated from South Shelby High School. into our beef markets. Their
and neighboring states has banded together to “My father, my grandfather, a lot of my mentors cows enter into our markets, as
develop the safest protocols for vaccinations, herd in 4-H stressed the need to give back, stay active well,” he said. “I grew up on a
health improvements, handling and harvesting in your associations,” he said. “A lot of people dairy farm. I know how much
that ever have been known to man,” he said. “We don’t understand what we do to make their lives work it is to get that gallon of
want to strive to improve upon those so when Mrs. as good as we got. It’s kind of a mission that we milk.” n

COMMITTED
TO DAIRY
| By Deborah Gertz Husar Koch and his son Dan, along
N
dhusar@whig.com with Koch’s brother Phil, a
full-time employee and a part-
o matter what time employee, milk about 125
the season, registered Holstein cows and
there’s some manage about 1,000 acres of corn,
repetition soybeans and alfalfa.
built in every “Those cows have to be milked
day for Ken every day, taken care of. It’s a
Koch. commitment,” Koch said. “This
“You start time of year, the milking and
out the day and end the day with the feeding, keeping everything
milking chores,” the Mount Ster- bedded and keeping hay out for
ling dairy farmer said. everything takes up most of the
And Koch wouldn’t have it any day.”
other way. The farm has milked as many
“I like what I do. I like work- as 130 cows and as few as 100
ing with the cows, always trying over the years while seeing some
to improve,” he said. ‘It’s kind of changes in milking equipment,
nice being able to work out in the but “we’re still milking in the
outdoors, and working with the same parlor as when I came home
family is rewarding, too.” from college,” Koch said.
He studied dairy science and Bigger changes in the opera-
was part of the dairy judging tion came through genomics, or
team at Illinois State University. genetic testing and tracking “just
“I intended to put that training to try to improve our herd,” Koch
to use on the dairy farm. I gradu- said. “That should help increase
ated in 1978, and I’ve been here cow longevity, milk production
ever since,” he said. “With the fi- and higher protein components
nancial capital it takes to operate in milk.”
a farm, a dairy, it’s not something Cow longevity, coupled with
you hop in and out of. You’ve got herd health, is key to production.
to be in it for the long haul.” “It takes about $2,000, or in

Kenny Koch milks a cow at his dairy
farm in Mount Sterling. Koch milks his
cows twice a day. Photo by Jake Shane
that ballpark, to raise a cow to be “There’s been some changes

2 years old and raise her first calf. over the years. Like everything
It’s all the feed it takes, vaccina- with the dairy industry, there’s
tions, everything you do to keep consolidation. The co-ops get
them healthy,” Koch said. “The larger, and the customers the
longer you can keep her in the co-op serve are getting larger. A
herd, the better it is — and you get constant state of change is the
attached to them, too.” nature of the business.”
Cows in the herd produce But some things don’t change.
an average of 80 pounds a day, The Quincy area “has been
but that can get as high as 140 a little pocket of dairy over the
pounds a day about 60 to 90 days years,” Koch said. “Part of it is
after calving. dairy farmers always had a good
Koch remembers when milk market for milk with Prairie
from the farm was put into Farms and get paid a lot more for
10-gallon cans and hauled into a milk than other areas.”
Thank you
Prairie Farms facility in Mount Dairy farmers still worry about
Sterling. When that plant closed price, with a surplus of milk re-
in the mid-1960s, the Kochs added ducing the price, and markets.
Farmers
a bulk tank, and a contract hauler “The biggest concern is trade
stops by the farm every other day. and what could go on with to our
Milk from the farm still goes NAFTA (the North American Free
to Prairie Farms and its Quincy
plant, which makes cottage
Trade Agreement). Mexico is a
big importer of dairy products.
for providing
the COMMUNITY
cheese and all the regular,
non-Greek yogurt for the entire
We’d hate to see that market
disappear,” Koch said. “There’s
with so very much!
company. businessmen out there in D.C.
“Dan makes the fifth generation Surely they can see what NAFTA
to be a Prairie Farms member. does for the ag industry and, I’m 1121 Maine • www.browndrugcompany.com • 228-6400
We’ve been with the co-op a long sure, other industries in the U.S. Monday thru Friday 8:30 to 7:00 | Saturday 8:30 to 5:00 | Closed Sunday
time,” said Koch, who began serv- It might need to be tweaked, but I
ing on the co-op’s board just after don’t think we need to pull out.” n
graduating from college.

Low prices on
commodities,
livestock
top concerns
for farmers
Economists say many producers
expect their financial picture
to be darker in 2018
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merely remain the same,” Illinois
Farm Bureau Senior Economist
Mike Doherty said in response to
results of a member survey.
“Unfortunately, today’s com-
modity prices, input costs and
overall farm economy have
become commonplace for our
members. They’ve been dealing
with deteriorating farm income
for four years now, and unless we
see a major weather event or sig-
nificant market rally, farm income
is unlikely to improve.”
Farm Bureau members sur-
veyed said they plan to reduce
farm business expenses and
input costs for 2018, with most, 85
percent, planning to delay equip-
ment purchases. About a third
plan to cut farm debt to reduce
interest payments and delay or
cut back on chemical and fertil-
izer purchases, while 26 percent
plan to reduce hired labor costs,
negotiate lower cash rents and
buy less expensive seed.
“2016 was really, really slow
for ag equipment sales. In 2017, it
picked back up, but it still wasn’t
as good as it was in ’14 or ’15,”
Carlson said. “We see another
year of growth this year.”
AgriVisor risk management
specialist Joe Camp urged pa-
tience.
“Producers have done a good
| By Deborah Gertz Husar job of hedging patience on corn by
R
dhusar@whig.com being more aggressive market-
ers of soybeans. Soybeans offer
etail activ- a more attractive price,” said
ity may have Camp, who talks about the farm
picked up at economy during crop seminars,
farm equipment including one in Pittsfield.
dealers, but it’s U.S. corn use for ethanol contin-
not necessar- ues “at an impressive clip,” while
ily a sign of an corn use for feed is growing, but
improving farm Camp said exports still can influ-
economy. ence the overall market.
“It’s been more so out Farmers in South
of necessity than desire America and the Black
or want,” said Zach Sea region produced
Carlson with Quincy big crops, which means
Tractor. “These farm- large stocks abroad
ers have put a ton of and plenty of compe-
bushels through these tition in the global mar-
combines, grain carts ketplace.
and planters to where “In recent years, a
some of them it’s either strong dollar has been
rebuild or replace.” something pressur-
Near record-break- ing export potential,”
ing corn and soybean Carlson Camp said. “A strong
crops in the past two dollar makes it more CHOOSING ONLY THE BEST
PRODUCTS FOR YOUR FIELD
years have put plenty expensive to world
of wear on farm equipment while buyers like Japan and Saudi
keeping commodity prices low. Arabia for corn, Mexico or China For more information, contact
Low commodity and livestock for soybeans.”
prices remain a top concern for But the basics of marketing LINDSEY FRESE: (217) 248-5552 or
farmers heading into the 2018 still can yield success. CHRIS BUCKERT: (217) 430-8331
growing season. “Have a plan. Stick to it. Take
“It’s not surprising that a advantage of what the market is
combined 92 percent of our mem- giving. Look at strategies to sell
Lewis Hybrids & Design® is a registered trademark of American
bers expect the overall financial ahead and take advantage of pre- Seeds, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective LewisHybrids.com |
health of their farms to decline or mium offered,” Camp said. n owners ©2018 Monsanto Company All Rights Reserved.

Forecasts call for co
| By Edward Husar
ehusar@whig.com
in the forecast,” he said.
Angel said a little rain in com-
W
ing weeks might not be a bad
hile many thing.
area farm- “Actually, things right now
ers will be look a little dry in places like Illi-
eager to start nois and Iowa and Missouri,” he
spring plant- said in a late-January interview.
ing, they may “So a little bit of precipita-
need to show some patience this tion would be welcome — not
year. a whole lot, though. Obviously
Long-range weather forecasts you don’t want 15 inches of rain
for the region call for a cool, wet because then you’ve got the op-
spring. So it might take awhile posite problem of not being able
for planting conditions to reach to get into the fields. That’s how
optimum levels. quickly things can turn.”
State Climatologist Jim Angel Last year, he recalls, Illinois at
with the Illinois State Water Sur- this time also was going through
vey said it’s difficult to predict an extended dry period.
whether area farmers will get a “Everything was dry, dry, dry
timely start on planting based all the way through March. Then
on the long-range forecast and all of a sudden April came, and
weather trends. we had too much rain. So it can
“It’s really hard to say,” he turn on a dime,” he said.
said. “If I was going to list my The National Weather Service
concerns about this growing in late January reported that
season, a wet spring would prob- several counties in the Quincy
ably be first on the list.” area, on both sides of the Mis-
The National Weather Ser- sissippi River, were “abnormally
vice’s Climate Prediction Center dry” while some counties farther
is forecasting increased chances south were experiencing “moder-
of below-normal temperatures ate drought” conditions.
and above-normal precipitation While the Climate Prediction
for the February-March-April Center’s long-range forecast calls
period in both West-Central Il- for an increased chance of cooler
linois and Northeast Missouri. weather in February, March
Angel said this forecast is and April, Angel said one risk
based largely on a La Nina event farmers invariably face is that
this winter in the Pacific Ocean, an early spring warm-up could
meaning there is cold water occur and then be followed by a
along the West Coast near the damaging frost in late April.
equator. This will affect the “We’ve had trouble with this
nation’s weather for the next few for the past couple of years,”
months. Angel said. “I was actually kind
“It tends to give us a more of worried about that last year
active winter with a little more because we had that mild winter,
snowfall and overall more pre- and it was very warm in Febru-
cipitation. So you kind of see that ary and March. So it was very

or cool, wet spring
easy for (plant growth) to get When it comes to long-range
ahead of itself. But it didn’t.” weather forecasts, many people
Angel said 2017 turned out to look to the Old Farmer’s Alma-
be the sixth-warmest year on re- nac for advice. But this year the
cord in Illinois. The average tem- publication is calling for the
perature was 2.2 degrees above same cool, wet spring that the
normal. He noted that Illinois Weather Service is forecasting.
has been experiencing a series In an interview last fall as the
of warmer-than-usual years and almanac was just coming out, its
wetter-than-usual springs. editor, Janice Stillman, told The
“I’m a little more cautious Herald-Whig that the magazine
talking about drought now was predicting some snow in the
because I know we can get these early part of February and cold
big rainfall events that totally periods through the middle of
wipe out any of those concerns,” the month.
he said. “Then in March, winter will
Angel said Illinois generally be practically over because I’m
is regarded as a “wet” state com- not seeing any snow forecasts at
pared with some Western states all with the coming of spring,”
that annually get significantly she said.
less rain. Stillman said the almanac is
“That makes a huge difference predicting that April and May
in agriculture,” he said. will be cooler and wetter than
“During our driest year on normal with “a couple of inches
record in Illinois, the statewide above normal rainfall” during
average was about 25 inches,” those two months.
Angel said. “That is the average The summer months, she said,
rainfall in Nebraska. That’s how are expected to be “hotter than
much wetter we are than those normal with slightly below-nor-
Western states.” mal rainfalls.” n

Focus on early
cattle breeding
| By Travis Meteer members of the crowd to raise Cost per cow failing to breed in first 21 days of season
I
wmeteer2@illinois.edu their hands if they maintained
a 60-day calving season. Few Cost, Item Drylot¹ Pasture²
was speaking at a meet- hands went up. One of the few Diet cost, $/day $2.25 $1.10
ing one evening about was a gentleman who spoke up Feed costa, $ per missed cycle $47.25 $23.10
how nutrition affects and said “I only calve 60 days out Lower weaning weightb, $ $84 $84
reproduction. I got to the of the entire year … but I never Total cost $131.25 $107.10
portion of the talk dis- know which 60 days or where
cussing how postpartum they will fall on the calendar.” ¹ Free choice poor quality hay supplemented with CGF, $0.10/d mineral cost
interval affects cows We all laughed, but that ² Pasture rent=$90/acre, 6 mo. grazing, 2 acre/cow, $0.10/d mineral cost
getting bred in a 60-day gentlemen brought light to the a
Diet cost multiplied by 21 days
season. I asked the fact that many producers do not b
Assumed calf ADG of 2.5 and multiplied by 21 days, $160/cwt
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focus on a tight calving window. There is no doubt season. They also were more apt Tips for
If you have a spread-out calving to calve in the first 21 days of the
season, I suggest you work to in my mind that calving season as they entered getting cows
break cows into a spring and fall
group. However, be aware that there is a positive production, had lighter calves at
birth that weaned off heavier and
to breed early
just shifting cows from spring to snowball effect they bred-back with numerically in the season
fall and vice versa will result in higher pregnancy rates as first-
little herd improvement. Break from focusing on calf cows. • Select replacements from cows
them apart to allow management
and then sort off the cows that
front-loading your There is no doubt in my mind
that there is a positive snowball
that calve early in the season.
• Have cows in correct Body
can’t hang. calving season effect from focusing on front- Condition Score (ideally 6).
Now, here are a few reasons to
focus on getting cows bred early.
and selecting loading your calving season and
selecting replacements from
• Avoid decreasing nutrition at
breeding; cows losing weight
First, research has shown that replacements cows that are calving early in do not breed up well.
getting a higher percentage of your season. I would not encour- • Invest in a good mineral
cows to calve within the first 21 from cows that are age pulling bulls after a 60-day program. Consider injectable
days of the calving season re- calving early in breeding season because of the mineral products 30 days
sults in heavier weaning weights premium for bred cows. I would before breeding.
and increased pregnancy rates your season. use a pregnancy check to identify • Consider synchronization and
compared to later calving cows. late-bred cows and then market timed-AI to front-load the
Heavier calves and more bred them before the calving season calving season.
cows have been and will be cost per cow that fails to breed in as bred cows. Just because • Move cows to lush, spring
a good combination for mak- the first 21 days of the breeding they don’t fit for your operation forage with a dry, low protein
ing money. Later-calving cows season. doesn’t mean they don’t fit for supplement.
are more apt to fall out of your Researchers from the Universi- someone else’s. The key is to • Move pre-breeding vaccines
calving season and can ulti- ty of Nebraska-Lincoln (Funston identify the cows that annually to at least 30 days before
mately cost you several dollars in et al.) investigated the effect of are at the front of your calving breeding.
replacement costs. the calving period on heifer prog- season. Select and propagate • Limit stress. Use low-stress
Just one missed cycle can add eny. Results show that heifers of those genetics to make cows. animal handling when
several dollars to the annual cost cows calving in the first 21 days processing cows.
to keep a cow. It also can result of the calving season have lower University of Illinois • Avoid transporting cows
in loss from weaning weight that birth weights, heavier wean- Extension commercial between four to 45 days after
could have been realized if the ing weights and higher preg- breeding.
agriculture educator Travis
calf were older, on the ground nancy rates as bred heifers when • Provide adequate shade in
Meteer is based at the Orr
and growing sooner. The table on compared with heifers born to breeding pastures.
the previous page figures of the cows calving later in the calving Research Center.

| By Edward Husar disaster occurs.
A
ehusar@whig.com “Farmers are very happy with the
crop insurance program as it exists
s legislators today,” Nielsen said. “It’s there for a
continue efforts disaster. And if there is a disaster, it
to develop the allows them to get into the field the
next national next year.”
farm bill, the For example, Nielsen points to the
Illinois Farm massive crop damage caused by a
Bureau will be major drought in 2012.
pushing several More than $4 billion in indemnity
top priorities. payments were made to Illinois
Chief among them is “crop insur- farmers, thanks to the farm bill’s
ance, crop insurance, crop insur- protections.
ance,” says Adam Nielsen, the Farm
Bureau’s director of national legisla-
If not for crop insurance, Nielsen
said, many small farming opera- Existing 5-year-old
tion and policy development.
“It is very clearly the top priority
again for us — as it was last time,”
tions could have been wiped out that
year.
“Either a lot of land would not
farm bill slated to
Nielsen said.
The farm bill is a piece of legisla-
have been farmed the following year
or you would have seen some con-
expire on Sept. 30
tion that gets updated every five solidation in the industry,” he said.
years or so. It lays out the funding Since the 2012 disaster, Nielsen
streams for a wide array of pro- said, the state’s corn and soybean
grams that affect Americans from crops have rebounded by having
all walks of life. outstanding growing seasons in
Farming is just one segment of subsequent years while farmers
society affected by the farm bill, but continued to pay their annual pre-
it’s an important part, considering miums for crop insurance.
many of the provisions spelled out “At the end of the day, Illinois
in the farm bill involve food produc- farmers put far more into it than
tion. they got back,” Nielsen said. “That’s
And when it comes to farming, the way it’s supposed to work.”
Nielson said, nothing is more im- The farm bill is still in the forma-
portant than having a reliable crop tive stages, with legislators and
insurance program that compen- industry representatives around
sates farmers when a crop-related the country offering proposals for

possible changes. Much work has of their landlords each year before
to be done before a final bill gets reapplying for farm bill benefits
presented to Congress before the through their local Farm Service
current bill expires Sept. 30. Agency offices.
“We’re hopeful that we can get a He is pushing a proposal that
farm bill done here in the next few farmers be “automatically renewed
months before Congress starts fo- into the farm bill the next year
cusing its attention toward becom- without having to go through that
ing re-elected,” Nielsen said. process,” provided there has been
He noted that Congress might not no significant change in the farming
be able to finish work on a new farm operation.
bill before the expiration date. If The Farm Bureau also would
that happens, he said, Congress con- like to see Congress maintain the
ceivably could extend the existing status quo on the number of acres
bill for a year “and call it a day.” allowed in the Conservation Reserve
However, Nielsen said he’s “hold- Program.
ing out hope” that Congress will step In addition to food production
forward and complete a new farm and various aspects of soil and wa-
bill that meets the ever-changing ter conservation, the farm bill also
needs of the agriculture industry. touches on many other issues, such
In addition to protecting crop in- as research in various areas; energy
surance “and making sure there are production; and nutrition involv-
no changes to the program,” Nielsen ing such things as the federally
said the Illinois Farm Bureau also subsidized school lunch program,
wants to see the conservation assis- the food stamp program, and the
tance loan program strengthened. Women, Infants and Children pro-
“There’s more pressure on farm- gram for new moms and kids.
ers to improve the quality of the Nielson said he’s optimistic
water coming off the farm and to Congress will be able to focus its
minimize nutrient loss,” he said. attention on developing a farm bill
Nielsen said strengthening the “that both parties can agree on” in
loan program would help farmers the coming months.
make conservation improvements. “We’re confident that we’ll be able
Another concern Nielsen would to get Congress back in working or-
like to see addressed is the time- der and off the brink of government
consuming requirement that shutdowns,” he said. “All they need
farmers obtain signatures from all is a good farm bill to work on.” n

Todd Hays, left, and his son, Donnie, right, chat with seed salesman John Young at the Hays’ farm outside of Monroe City, Mo. Donnie manages the farrow-to-finish hog operation as
well as rented some ground for row crops in 2017. Photo by Jake Shane
The next generation

Succession planning can help keep farms in the family for years
| By Deborah Gertz Husar Hays, for row crops, working his getting to the point where we
“You have to take
A
dhusar@whig.com way up to partnership in both sell off some of the livestock to
side from a
sides of the business.
It’s part of a plan to bring the
him,” said Todd Hays, 51. “You
have to take it in steps. Every-
it in steps.
short time younger Hays into the farming body does it differently, but Everybody
wanting to be
a bull rider,
operation over the next several
years.
fortunately, American farmers
have always found a way to get does it differently,
Donnie Hays “If I tried to do this on my that next generation in there if but fortunately,
always had own, it would be pretty hard to they want to be.”
his future do,” Donnie Hays said. “A lot of A well thought-out succes- American
mapped out.
“I pretty much planned on
expenses I don’t have the money
for right now. Some of the stuff
sion plan benefits not only the
business side of the farming
farmers have
farming since I was little,” said I’m not 100 percent sure on, so operation, but also the family always found a
Hays, who came back to the
family farm in Monroe City, Mo.,
it’s nice to have Dad and my
uncle to fall back on.”
members involved and the next
generation.
way to get that next
after graduating from college in Step by step, he’s becoming “When you have multiple fam- generation in there
2014. more comfortable with the busi- ily members already involved –
Now 26, Hays manages the ness side of the operation. a couple of brothers, a brother- if they want to be.”
sow unit where the family raises “We’re taking steps as op- in-law and mother-in-law – it’s
Todd Hays
pigs from farrow to finish and portunities come up – acquiring how to bring in another individ- Monroe City, Mo., farmer
rents ground with his dad, Todd property, renting more ground, ual, another generation that it
02242018_FF 18-32.indd 26 2/9/18 5:11 PM

doesn’t put a burden on anybody “A lot of expenses I don’t have the money If families aren’t able to do
else by pulling out income and that, they have a harder transi-
shifting to another individual,” for right now. Some of the stuff I’m not tion to continue the farming
Todd Hays said.
Bob Rhea with Farm Business
100 percent sure on, so it’s nice to have Dad operation when somebody
passes away.
Farm Management said the first and my uncle to fall back on.” “It really makes the family
step in succession planning is farm stronger when you have
defining who steps into the role Donnie Hays more people involved that can
of today’s key operator, then Monroe City, Mo., farmer make decisions and know the
determining how to move that value,” Todd Hays said.
person from having no or mini- The experience of growing up
mal responsibility to having 100 and “needs a team to assist with cations have a greater impact on the farm made the transition
percent of the responsibility. that – an attorney, an accountant, today, and we just know there more realistic for Hays and his
“That can happen with a tax manager, an investment are fewer people who grew up on son.
changes in ownership. It might person and an appraiser to set a farm and have farm back- “We can educate young people
happen with an employment the value of assets,” Rhea said. grounds, so the pool of succes- all the time how we grow crops,
agreement at the beginning, or “The senior producer wants sors is more narrow, too.” how to raise livestock and work
it might happen with the two the new incoming producer to Todd Hays’ dad made the on equipment,” Todd Hays said.
parties doing business together be successful. They’re willing to opportunity available for him to “But sometimes it’s hard for
as separate legal entities,” Rhea do many things to help insure farm, and he wanted to do the people to get to that point where
said. “Then you work through success,” he said. “They’re in- same for his kids — son, Donnie, they realize the lifestyle you’re
the details, and there might be terested in creating success not and daughter, Juliana, whose dealing with. It’s not that 8 to 5,
a third step to add to that. The only for the generation they’re interest lies for now in the hos- five days a week with livestock.
retiring producer should review going to witness in their retire- pitality industry. Her ultimate You have to give up a little vaca-
their estate plan to make sure ment, but another generation or goal is to have a winery and tion, a few ballgames, maybe
that’s consistent with both the two, as well.” vineyard, and support from the working Christmas Day for a
succession and transition plan.” But Rhea said the process family could make that happen. few hours.”
The process takes time, gener- has become more challenging in “As parents, you try to help Donnie Hays expects to follow
ally three crop years, which recent years. your kids do whatever they his dad’s example with his own
might cover five tax years, for “There are more dollars want to do,” Todd Hays said. “I daughter, Thea, who recently
both sides to get acclimated. involved in today’s operations, grew up in a family farm and celebrated her first birthday.
The incoming producer might more investment made by senior was given the opportunity to “I don’t want to push her into
have limited capital available partners,” he said. “That capital get to make comments, to be a it,” he said. “If she wants to
and will be accepting lots of new transition is a bigger step than part of the decision-making. I’ve farm, I’ll make sure she has that
risks. The outgoing producer has it would have been 10 years ago learned from my family, and I opportunity. like my dad has
financial planning to consider and 40 years ago. The tax impli- try to continue that on.” done for me.”

8CELEBRATING FFA
Amy Lucie, standing, goes over lessons with ag students at Unity High School in Mendon. Lucie said she has seen many changes over her career, with fewer ag students actually grow-
ing up on farms. Photo by Michael Kipley
The evolution of FFA

Group’s progress in whatever field they might go in agriculture in college, then “Community service is also
into.” returning to the family farm. important to FFA,” Lucie said.
reflects change in Part of that evolution has “I love every bit of farming, “Our students don’t only help
agriculture itself been the FFA name itself.
FFA was once known as the
from driving a tractor to han-
dling the pigs,” he said.
out just around Mendon, but all
over the general area.”
Future Farmers of America Olivia Kaufman is another ag Lucie said FFA students also
| By Steve Eighinger and later as the National FFA student at Unity who plans on take part in a variety of camps,
A
seighinger@whig.com Organization. Now, it simply a college education heightening conferences and conventions
goes by FFA. her interest in some aspect of during the school year.
my Lu- The changing FFA, which the industry. Lucie is a longtime ag advo-
cie has seen will celebrate its 90th anni- “I know I want to be involved cate and was an FFA president
FFA evolve versary this year, is a much in ag in the future, but ag is when she attended Liberty High
in her 17 different organization than in (now more) than just farming,” School.
years as an its early days. That reflects the said Kaufman, who may study “I always knew I wanted to
agriculture ever-changing landscape of occupational therapy in college. be (an ag) teacher,” she said.
teacher and rural America. “One of the things we have Nationally, FFA has chapters
adviser for Kody McCleary, who is presi- learned in FAA is how ag im- in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and
the organization’s chapter at dent of the Unity FFA chapter pacts people in different ways.” the Virgin Islands. FFA also is
Unity High School in Mendon. and plans a career in ag, admits McCleary agrees. one of the largest youth orga-
“FFA is now about developing he’s in a minority these days. “FFA has shown me some nizations in the United States,
leadership, personal growth “There are fewer farms — but more avenues connected with with 630,000 members in more
and career success, whether it they are bigger — and there ag and how to connect with than 7,500 chapters.
is in agriculture or not,” Lucie are fewer farm kids,” he said. people,” he said. The organization traces its
said. “There are fewer ‘farm “There are only two or three FFA now prides itself in not formation to 1928 when 33 stu-
kids’ than there used to be. We kids in our ag class who actu- only supporting agricultural dents from 18 states gathered
want the kids who leave FFA ally live on a farm.” education, but also in developing in Kansas City, Mo., to form the
tobe able to use what they learn McCleary plans on majoring its members as complete citizens. Future Farmers of America. n

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8WORDS TO LIVE BY Code of Ethics
FFA members conduct them-
The FFA Creed selves at all times to be a credit to
their organization, chapter, school,
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds — achievements won by the community and family. FFA mem-
present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the bers pledge to:
better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well Develop my potential for premier
as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those leadership, personal growth and
associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny. career success.
Make a positive difference in the lives
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently of others.
and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to
serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil. Dress neatly and appropriately for
the occasion.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough Respect the rights of others and
honest wealth to help make it so — for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when their property.
needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me. Be courteous, honest and fair with
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can others.
exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task. Communicate in an appropriate,
purposeful and positive manner.
Demonstrate good sportsmanship
by being modest in winning and
generous in defeat.
Make myself aware of FFA programs
FFA Motto and activities and be an active
participant.
Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve Conduct and value a supervised
agricultural experience program.
Source Strive to establish and enhance my
skills through agricultural educa-
www.ffa.org | Code of Ethics and The creed was written by E.M. Tiffany tion in order to enter a successful
Motto adopted by delegates at the 1952 and adopted at the third National FFA career.
National FFA Convention. Revised by del- Convention. It was revised at the 38th and Appreciate and promote diversity in
egates at the 1995 National FFA Convention. 63rd conventions. our organization.

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8BROWN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: adviser Whitney Phillips Miller, Wyatt Fink, Andrew Hughes, Hallie Laning, Zack Wilson, Dylan Roberts. Second row: Allison Prather, Gavin Miller,
Holton Burnett, Sadee Kassing, Jayden Gooding. Third row: Chase McClelland, Mason Markert, Trey McCoy, Hayden Howell, Colin Boylen.
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8CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Mary Perry, Abigail Heinecke, Alex Post, Kelsey Post, Victoria Owens, Dustin Steinkamp, Breanna Bowen. Second row: Shawna Putnam, Elyse Travis,
Lance Hunt, Victoria Louderback, Andrew Strohkirch, Advisor Sharon Knorr. Third row: Jarrod Grawe, Travis Rigg, Mathew Kestner, Terry Goldenstein, Dax Wiskirchen.
Fourth row: Max Hennen, Isaac Stotts, Malachi Perry.
Not pictured: Landon Moore, Reed Jibben, Lane Ippensen, Garrett Wallace, Derek Griggs, Isaiah McElwee, Dalton Hildebrand, Zach Rankin.

8GRIGGSVILLE-PERRY HIGH SCHOOL
From left, Michael Harris, Brock Thomas, Zachary Mountain, Nick Dejaynes, Sage Martin, Avery Bradshaw, Duncan Bradshaw, Jordan Brite,Joey Butler.

ILLINI WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Courtney Williams; Hannah Nelson, president; Marissa Newman; Kylee Freeman; Katie Markey, treasurer; Meryl Butler. Back row: Lauren Markey,
secretary; Aleah Gann; Bryce Hall; Wyatt Johnson, vice president; Brandyn Six, sentinel; Karissa Johnson; Jennifer Honnold, adviser.

8LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Dalton Lentz, Ross Pracht, Seth Rochelle, Shane Ormond, Katie Wagner, Timothy Obert, Daniel Laeder, Jenna Hahn. Second row: Alexis Hoffman,
Allison Coonrod, Kenzey Wagner, Grace Tenhouse, Maggie Wagner, Audrey Obert, Abby Obert. Third row: Paige Knuffman, Brayden Luckhaupt, Taryn Roe, Autumn
Steffen, Brianna Janssen, Andrew Darnell, Molly Pracht, Hannah Longlett. Fourth row: Tanner Neisen, Jacob Tenhouse, Lawren Ruths, Alex Badgley, Austin Heitholt,
Dustin Dennis, Chris Lewis. Fifth row: William Owens, Abigail Knuffman, Noah Myers, Nina Voga, Kyle Zanger, Solomon Mixer, Madison White, Julia Hahn. Sixth row:
Craig Doane, Austin Robison, Layne Tipton, Lantz Henderson, Levi Siebers, Lowell Sparrow, Karson Kasparie. Seventh row: Matthew Klingele, Kutter Thompson, Avery
Spilker, Landon White, Samuel Harris, Dallas Hummel, Lucas Ensley. Eighth row: Martin Nall, student teacher; Austin Haley; Blake Geren; Steve Buyck, adviser.

PAYSON SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL
MEMBERS ABOVE: First row, from left: Brant Wolf, Landon Humphery, Jimmy Poppenhager,
Collin Crim, Zane Fesler, Rhianna Rott. Second row: Nick Slater, Emily Milakeve, Gavin Grace,
Breanne Taute, Tyler Barker, Malina Sunde. Third row: Ben Perrine, Josiah Hull, Jeff Delonjay,
Colton Lord, Madilynn Barry, Grayson Tedrow. Fourth row: Brock Wolf, Lane Miller, Abi Gregg,
Cassie Eidson, Dawson Epley, Layne Ruths. Fifth row: Reed Sunde, Nick Dingerson, Connor
Ehrhardt, Talmage Butler, Levi Dittmer, Avery Huber, Ben Dolbeare.
OFFICERS AT RIGHT: First row, from left: Alex Quinn, Lissa Hull, Abbie Pryor, Nick Klingele.
Second row: Bransyn Lewis, adviser Brandon Smith, Hannah Klingele.
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8PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: John Scranton, Bailey Ottwell, Alayna Scranton, Kristen Sibley, Molly Rush, Isabella Curless, Lauren Bauer, Cody Collins, Will Heavner. Second row:
Wiliam Guthrie, Dakota Smith, Zoey Foster, Anna Curless, Zoe Wright, Kaylee Harrison, Kelly Rhodes, Lauren Saxe, Caylin Dean, Gentry Daniels, Bella Baldwin, Kayla
Merryman, Skyler Reel, Bobby Smithers. Third row: Bailey King, Lee Ransom, Gabi Davis, Justine Lynch, Lindsey Bonnett, Carmen Long, Bella Jarvis, Shelly Daniels, Noah
Booth, Kara Williams, Rachael Swartz. Fourth row: Ashlynn Zumwalt, Drew Welbourne, Justice McCoy, Rilee Harshman, Cora Calvey, Allison Butler, Macee Borrowman,
Jake Ottwell, Mayci Smith, Josie Marable, Julia Turnbaugh. Fifth row: Adelyn Cox, Bella Dorrity, Michelle Taylor, Nick Niebur, Madison Zumwalt, Abigail Heavner, Alexa
Robertson-Wise, Sydney Bauer, Kevin Presley, Maggie Weir, Korbin Fentress, Iva Welbourne. Sixth row: Kurtis Johnson, Samanda South, Derek Neupauer, Hayden
Gresham, Brady Renaud, Cayden Harter, Chas Cooley, Nic McConnell, Cheyenne Allred, Kaylee Smith, Bryan Piper. Seventh row: Shantah Gratton, Lance Pitchford,
Nathan Zumwalt, Matthew Lemons, Colten Birkbeck, Jaydon Heavner, Elliot Fox, Kameron Smithers, Mckinley Jennings, Emma Mann, Wade Howland. Eighth row: Riley
Parsons, Nick Reel, Austin Ator, J.D. Gresham, Jacob McIntire, Bailey Mowen, Michaella Lyon, Brett Paben, Wes Bradshaw, Noah Gay, Cody Bradshaw. Ninth row: Andrew
Bauer, Elijah Grammer, Jonathon Rumple, Jason Taylor, J.D. Hoover, Wyatt Nash, Dylan Robinson, Bryce Schumacher, Jonathan Thomas, Katie Bland, Joel Cook. Tenth
row: Trenton Ruddy, Levi Borrowman, Isaac Shaw, Nathan Hoover, Jack Sibley, Noah Petty, Korbyn Personett, Ethan Scott, Marcus Couch, Abi Crawford.

PLEASANT HILL HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Jess Crowder, treasurer; Hunter Abney, reporter; Cody Bowen, president; Randa Lippincott, secretary; Jeffery Kidd, sentinel. Second row: Paula
Tuner, Maykala Leverich, Cade Riddle, Levi Thomas, Wally Bowen,Devon, Brennan McEwen, Erin Mower, Logan Wood,Isaiha Rogers, Madison Jones. Not pictured:
Tristin Coy; Joe Laberson; Cole Wright; Grant Peebles, vice president; Rilee White; Dylan Richards; Hatti Abbott.

8QUINCY HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Brandy Tangy, historian; Matt Dade, reporter; Alexis Wolf, president; Kayla Walker, secretary; Maddi Meyer, sentinel; Allison Schafer, treasurer. Sec-
ond row: Brenden Hastings, Dawson Powell, Sophia Wending, Cameron Maggart, Robbie Gregory, Craig Hangenbamer, McKenize Peacock, Emma Lowe, Kylee Embry.
Third row: Haley Holton, Landon Cantrell, Sam Sparrow, Logan Venvertloth, Alec Kline, Gavin Janes, Logan Baze, Haven Reece.
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8SOUTHEASTERN HIGH SCHOOL
Left side: Nicole Thomas, Emily Biswell, Abbey Owen, Abbie Thompson, John Cramsey, Cole Eilers, Alex McClintock, Madison Fox, Rylie Whitaker, Aris Cox, Shad Flesner,
Sydnie Ballas, Lauren Glick, Autumn Campbell, Jaise Heaton, Nathan Dively, Clay Peuster, Brittany Twidwell, Jacob Bundy, Brandon Gravelle, Sam Hamman, Molly
Conover, Hunter Phillips. Center: Spencer Lee, Molly Rea, Maddie Boyd, Galen Adcock, Avery Waner, Sullivan Preston, Jacy Castlebury, Lillian Oliver, Andrew Gastler,
Josie Morrill, Michael Janssen, Olivia Gooding, Kelsey Knorr, Grant McDonald, Dylan Kalebaugh, Kolby McClelland, Brooke Tindall, Kelton Rice, Dallas Carle, Delaney
Lantz, Mr. Schullian, Ben Janssen, Aarron Weese. Right side: Alivia Lantz, Aaron Kost, Jordan Whitford, Kelsey Pennington, Chase Twidwell, Joe Janssen, Wyatt Canavit,
Andrew Rice, Cheyanne Moon, Logan Putnam, Jayleigh Peuster, Faith Miller, Logan Lockwood, Emily Oliver, Ashlyn Miller, Jadyn Henry, Joe Hamman, Serenity Prather,
Brooke Miller, Ivan Derry, Sawyer Weinberg, Autumn Guthrie, Baylee Harris, Denna Castlebury, Kylie Orris, Heaven Rice, Lexie Deford, Sheyenne Covert, Shawna Put-
nam.

UNITY HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Amy Lucie, ag teacher/FFA adviser; P.J. Hildebrand, vice president; Kailyn Mast, secretary; Olivia Kaufman, reporter; Dane Gordley, sentinel; Kody
McCleary, president; Grace Zanger, historian; Amanda Schrader, treasurer; Martin Nall, ag teacher. Second row: Brianne Shaffer, Paige Fletcher, Kody Gronewold, Daine
Meyer, Austin Cornwell, Cole Shaffer, Luke Jansen, Jacob Presser, Taylor Klusmeyer. Third row: Hannah Totsch, Greta Shaffer, Anna Voss, Audrey Kaufman, Kelsey Duke,
Jersey Hesse, Kenzie DeWeese, Karson Hull, Gabe Maynard, Eli Mittermeyer. Fourth row: Jordan Meyer, Hallie McKenna, Jimmy Beatty, Hunter Ogle, Peyton Hightower,
Grayson Lewis, Grant Ohnemus, Cayden Perry, Levi Corrigan. Fifth row: Sidney Hildebrand, Shea Beatty, Amanda Doyle, Jacob Fleer, Carson Heming, Krista Schrader,
Emma Heck, Camden Gordley, Cooper Thompson. Sixth row: Zachery Rieman, Kaleb VaLeu, Garrett Voss, George Carter, Justin Daugherty.

8WARSAW HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Alivia Jacquot, historian; Josh Ferguson, secretary; Peyton Dooley, sentinel ; Christine Morey, adviser. Back row: Jake Little, reporter; Ryan Berry,
vice president; Cody Marshall, president; Stephen Martin, treasurer.

8BOWLING GREEN HIGH SCHOOL
Members are Elise Bailey, Coltyn Betts, Andrew Biggs, Taylor Blair, Brogan Brandenburger, Dylan Brown, Michael Brown, Nichole Bruni, Dillon Burbridge, Anna Burkemper,
Kamden Burnett, Kayden Burnett, Hunter Burroughs, Sarah Bybee, Mathew Church, Kaleo Dade, Audrey Dean, Gavin Deters, Braydon Donhardt, Kaleb Dugan, Ethan
Everhart, Ethan Feldmann, Alicia Flowers, Brian Fosdick, Larissa Gamm, George Glenn, Claire Graver, William Graver, Coral Green, Jackson Gregory, Tobin Griffith, George
Grimm, Camryn Grote, Caleigh Grote, Chase Grote, Jacob Grummel, Trenton Haas, Kaitylyn Haley, Jaydan Harvey, Kurtis Heffner, Hayden Hensen, Joshua Holmes, Kyle
Horner, Kathryn Horner, Hannah Hortness, Dylan Huber, Madison Huckstep, Kaleb Jackson, Alaina Jennings, Josie Johndrow, Walker Johnson, Lance Johnson, Jonah
Jones, Ceira Kleindienst, Catherine Klott, Ryan Korte, Joshua Korte, Chelsea Kuntz, Clay Lazear, Katelyn Lee, Juan Leon, Macie Lincoln, Brandon Lindsay, Jeffery Lovell,
Nicholas Luebrecht, Allyson Maddox, Olivia McChristian, Matthew McDannold, Taylor McGaugh, William McKee, Stephen Merz, Evan Meyer, Emily Meyer, Blake Meyer,
Emma Meyer, Chase Miller, Paige Miller, Chayton Moon, Brandon Morris, Brennan Moss, Russell Nelson, George Niemeyer, Kimberly Niemeyer, Olivia Niemey-
er, Anah Noble, McKenna Orf, Braden Perez, Caleb Perkins, Madeline Perry, Rose Privett, Maggie Raney, Dallas Richard, Coltin Riegel, Ethan Riley, Amber Riley, Halle
Roach, Abby Robb, Devan Rohn, Roy Rosenburg, Breanna Schlueter, Connor Shannon, Harley Shields, Michael Sidwell, Rebecca Sinopole, Tristen Smith, Joshua
Sparks, Michael Starks, Korynn Stevens, Kennedy Street, Cheyanne Talley, Payton Teasley, Arika Thorpe, Tyler Trowbridge, Brett Utterback, Andrew Vaidya, Vanessa
Whitacre, Kathryn Wilkinson, Cameron Windland, Justin Wommack, David Wright.

8CANTON HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Alexis Roach; Christina Cochran; Emma Elder; Jeffrey Berhorst, sentinel; Ronald Pearl, vice president; Andy George, president; Alex George, trea-
surer; Carissa Poulter; Lissa King; Lezlie Durst, adviser. Back row: Travis Gorrell, Orenda Pearl, Brilyn Pearl, Douglas Clark, Charles Hetzler, Bradon Bartlow, Casey Brown,
Cody Janes, Tyler Hinton, Dylan Berhorst, Matthew Pearl, Kayden Ott, Clayton LaCount.
Not pictured: Jacey Cochran, reporter; Mariah Crenshaw, secretary; Chayce Wiskirchen; Kristie Schieferdecker; Mariah Baze; Kegan Birck; Gabe Hackemack; Garrett
Lillard.

CLARK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
From left: Anthony Frey, JW Brooks, Zack Noble, Jack Hunziker, Chandler Bevans, Connor Mack, Alex O’Day, Joe Crowell, James Rhea-Toops, Ethan Overhulser, Henry
Smith, Chayson Kleine, Brent Tweedy, Hayden Happs, Grant Plenge, Chanze Loughead, Andrew Moore, Blake St. Clair, Ben Tripp, Blake Plenge, Nick Gray, Asa Humphrey,
Jared Bethel, Kyle Anderson, Jarrett Schreck, Kourtney Anderson, Emma Elam, Evan Cameron, Rachel Buschling, Kylie Selway, Brooke Schantz, Caroline Trump,
Elizabeth Lemmon, Aubry Boulware, Blaine Lindsey, Colton Stepp, Tony Corvaia, Tristan Harper, David Lemmon, London Brunk, Logan Arnold, Ashtin Roberts, Logan
Claiborne, Brad Forque, Quinton Carmer, Jaden Bethel, Alex Shores, Drenda Hess, Karcyn McKee, Rylan McGrew, Kegan Davis, Tanner Elam, Jacob Hargrove, Christian
Bozeman, Kaitlyn Kirchner, Tyler Walker, Kyle Goldbricht, Tressa Burr, Sam Walker, Cooper Blum, Isaac King, Aubry Ebeling, Tristan Fry, Sarennah Kelly, Makyla Brooks,
Rachel Brooks, Julie Plenge, Laine Yoder, Nicole Plenge, Emma Nelson, Sydney Waschenbach, Ethan McAfee, Damien Scharfenberg, Gabe Reed, Morgan Flood, Dalton
Albert, James Alvis.

CLOPTON HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Allison Hunter, Peyton Sambo, Madisyn Parrish, Madison Horstmeier, Calynn Lockard, Parker Edmiston, Caitlyn Chandler, John Ray, Olivia Brune,
Craig McGuire. Second row: Mattie West, Stephen Thompson, Evan Lagemann, Ellie Beauchamp, Daniel Harvey, Taylor Akers, Sam Dalrymple, Avery Hall, Bethany
Klopcic, Caragan Lockard. Third row: Megan Harrelson, Mary Margaret Garrett, Logan Hall, Bailey Dykes, Megan Richards, Jillian Lockard, Zakk Eivins, Damian Walker,
Dalton Strus. Fourth row: Neal Nothaker, Austin Lagemann, Kennon Watts, Jared Hoehn, Riley Walker, Jessica Barnes, Kyle Martin. Fifth row: Brooklynn McKenney,
Tricia Luke, Blake Kendall, Grant Gregory, Stephanie Talbert, Maya Street, Luke Dameron. Sixth row: Matthew Phelps,Clayton Walraven
Officers are Allison Hunter, Peyton Sambo, Madisyn Parrish, Madison Horstmeier, Calynn Lockard, Parker Edmiston, Caitlyn Chandler, John Ray, Olivia Brune and Craig
McGuire.

8HANNIBAL HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Laney Holley, Rebecca Spires, Harley Berheger, Elle Hudelson (secretary), Dylan Hatton, Hunter Parker, Cole Gander. Back row: Isaac Phillips, Darrell
Taylor (vice president), Amanda Snow, Abbey Willing (secretary), Shyann Freiburg, Mark Houser, Nathan Craven, Kaleb Greening (president), Hunter Williams, Jaden
Rose, Caleb Allen.

8HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Chaselyn Bruhl, reporter; Jarred Bringer, sentinel; Luke Luttrull, vice president, Hunter Goehl, president; Ellie TenEyck, secretary, Kenzie Ru-
gledge, treasurer. Second row: Bodey Perry, Matthew Richardson, CJ Bell, Eli Putnam, Drake Meyer, Jacob Klocke, Hannah Fisher, Reagan Smyser, Sierra Schroder,
Logan Meyer, Rachel Olson, Marissa Abell, Caitlin Hickerson, Hunter Collier, Rebecca Grgurich. Third Row: Remington Yates, Lauren Smith, Kendall Powers, An-
nalise Miller, Hannah Baker, Katelynn Johnson, Austin Adam, Jared Henderson, Collin Nelson, Gwyn Murphy, Grace Murphy, Justin Plant, Macie Decker, Jessie Oen-
ning. Fourth row: Cody Bliven, Nicholas Wisehart, Hayden Meyer, Trevor Logsdon, Levi Stark, Nichooas Crabill, Ben Crabill, Hannah Cottrell, Corbin Bell, Michael
Casebier, Bradley Casebier, Mark Gnuse, Lane Nelson, Colten Sharpe. Not pictured: Olivia Pryor, Cade Turpin, Madison Stone, Adam Sherfy.
“... As we mingle with others, let us be

diligent in labor, just in our dealings,
courteous to everyone, and, above all,
honest and fair in the game of life.”
Excerpt from the Closing Ceremony of the FFA National Convention

KNOX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left, officers: Mathew Hunolt, Chelsea Zahn, Laura Mayer, Amber Morgret, Sidney Miller, McKayla Griffith, Sadie Snelling, Jaron Poor. Second row: Katie
Hamlin, Kinsley Johnson, Kylee Woods, Kaitlin Campbell, Alyssa Peavler, Becka Anderson, Jessie Anderson, Theresa Boatman, Lexey Watts, Serena McCarty. Third Row:
Emily Nichols, Reagan Winter, Jaiden Linebaugh, Katelyn Scott, Cadie Violette, Emily Schrage, Brittany Harsell, Lani Watts, Megan Miller, Matthew Sly, Bryston Bowen.
Fourth Row: Andrew Howe, Zyan Triplett, Nash Miller, Jared Peavler, Zane Hubble, Keagan Hamlin, Zack Schrage, Dakota Klataske, Landon Hubble, Nick Hamlin. Fifth
row: Garrett Mauck, Jacob Cheatum, Tristan Poor, Aden Triplett, Brayden Tietjens, Easton Schieferdecker, Daniel Hamlin, Cole Conn.

Don’t Miss Out!
Each year, over 3,000
shoppers searching
for bargains and deals
flock to the spring
and fall sales held at the
Oakley-Lindsay Center
in Quincy, IL.

8LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Matthew Capstick, Cole Reid, Jamie Sencenbaugh, Caitlyn Gloe, Gretchen Capps, Jaidyn Wommack, Austin Carnahan. Second row: Kaily Thurman,
Emilee Hoskins, Kiara Chatman, Taylor Stoops, Caitlyn Dowell, Bobbi Green, Jaidyn Branch, Justin Tibbits. Third row: Spencer Butler, Lane Presson, Paul Edwards, Cody
Thomas, Blain Crigger, Michael Shade, Riley Perrine. Fourth row: Seth Stewart, Bradley Keely, Dalton Gloe, Johnathan Bryant, David Whitehead, Willie Rousan, Jacob
Wright.

8MARION COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Adair Behring, vice President; Brennan Nick, treasurer; Lance Hettinger, sentinel; Elizabeth Corey, president; Colby Schulz, secretary; Jordyn Castro,
reporter. Second row: Hayden Smyser, Madison Scott, Alexis Pryor, Ashten Kaden, Carson Bock. Third row: Caity Feith, Willow Corey, Jordan Chatfield, Delaney Huffman,
Kendra Bemis, Anna McGrath. Fourth row: Grace Stark, Morgen Oles, Daryn Crane, Michael Larsen. Fourth row: Hunter Bates, Matt Gerding, Nathan Wellman, Landen
Holt, Jaylynn Martin.

MARK TWAIN HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Alyssa Ferry, Kyla Ingram, Olivia Graves, Hannah Smith, Aidan Epperson, Lincoln Talbott. Second row: MaryLu Jackson, Jackson Franklin, Ashlyn
Eisele, Randy Matthews. Third row: Amber Ferry, Alexis Baxter, Kiona Austin, Shelby Hayes. Fourth row: Dalton Klise, Madison Swank, Adrian Miller, Stetson Klise, Austin
Black. Fifth row: Brendan Yelton, Cole Calvin, Devin Whaley, Evan Torrence, Chandler Flowers. Sixth row: Logan Stewart, Teddy Lempka, Brianna Neely, Emma Boleach,
Brady Stevenson.
Proud to support our local

FFA chapters through the
National FFA Scholarship Program!

8MONROE CITY HIGH SCHOOL
Monroe City FFA is comprises 107 Members. This chapter is a Three-Star ranked National Chapter. Some activities the chapter hosts are Agribusiness Tour, Mentor Pro-
gram, and their annual fish fry. Chapter officers are President Karli Amos, First Vice President-Taylor Shuck, Second Vice President Addi Hays, Secretary Nicole Goellner,
Treasurer Nathan Mehrer, Reporter- Jake Forney, Sentinel Blake Hays, Parliamentarian Jess Greiman, Historian Piper Griffin and Chaplain Rashelle Porter. Advisers are
Keriann Brandt and Sean Frankenbach. Assistant officers are President Matthew Barnes, Vice President Alicia Heinecke, Secretary Lauren Smith, Treasurer Danielle
Pfanner, Reporter Skylie Baker, Sentinel Will Crain, Parliamentarian Brock Buckman, Historian Haleigh Amos, and Chaplain Spencer Fuller.

NORTH SHELBY HIGH SCHOOL
First row, from left: Mr. Eckler, Youseff Fransis, treasurer; Grant Coe, sentinel; Mason Uhlmeyer, historian; Taya Wilcox, reporter; April Jackson, vice president; Adam
Shively, president; Kirby Latimer, secretary; Brett Reitz, chaplain; Mr. Schmidt. Second row: Jackson Lunsford, Logan Jackson, Gus Williams, Jacey Trenhaile, Mackenzie
Vanskike, Breanna Gibbons, Leah Caputo, Lanie Chandler, Hannah Wahl, Madison Coale, Tabbetha Reitz. Third row: Cyreno Mersman, Dillon Yost, Elijah Greenwell, Si
Presson, Nicole Pantelo, Lilly Cook, Ryann Gander, Hope Chandler, Trystin Pratt, Paige Shinn, Christian Coale, Kennedi Greening. Fourth row: Bryant Gibbons, Nick Miles,
Jason Echternacht, Rowdy Vanskike, Carson Mesmer, Maggie von Thun, Presley Stoneburner, Lauren Keller, Sami Clover, Erica Beshears, Abbie Shaw, Elizabeth Meyers.
Fifth row: Andrew Panteleo, Jaren Harrington, Chas Shockley, Joseph Pratt, Kyle Drebenstedt, Dayton Mettes, Wyatt Spilker, Cameron Day, Josh Hunolt, Nicholas von
Thun, Brycen Rosendale, Garret von Thun.

8PALMYRA HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Paige Billups, third vice president; Elizabeth Bimson, second vice president; Shelby Tate, parliamentarian; Chase Goldinger, sentinel; Tisha Rich-
mond, vice president; Kinsey Tiemann, president; Alicia Bryan, treasurer; Zach Rosenkrans, reporter; Jena Craig, secretary; Hope Hudson, historian. Second row: James
Barnes, Miranda Felts, Gracie Bross, Lauryn Wear, Kierston Holstine, Emily Goellner, Ashley Krueger, Caleb Sedmack, Logan Mitchell, Olivia Foreman, Keller Shemwell,
Gradey Crowe, Ragar Plunkett. Third row: Shawn O’Brien, Brett Griesbaum, Emily Jefferys, Olivia Lehenbauer, Drew Billups, Gracie Lafoe, Chloe Shade, Kendra Maples,
Jared Dehaan, Rebekah Chapman, Jaden Jackson, Elizabeth Lackey, Chasen Kirby. Fourth row: Jackson Lundberg, Mason Burch, Emme Ridout, Sam Hirner, Sara Ridout,
Isaac Stoner, Lane Bernard, Zach Neff, Emily Knapp, J.C. Bross, Morgan Ingram, Braden Erwin. Fifth row: Holden Snodgrass, Carter Powell, Jackson Powell, Kelli Ryals,
Davanna Edmunds, Hope Conners, Gabe Hull, Michael Frankenbach, Owen Szarka, Bennett Stice, Chance Davis, Blaine Otte. Sixth row: Zach White, Brock Bollin, Mason
Hudson, Beau Powell, Chad O’Connell, Devin Edmunds, Trey Puester, Elijah Singh, Jacob Webster, Casey Hathaway, Patrick Bailey, Christian Drebes, David Redd. Seventh
row: Chris Obert, Corey Buckman, Parker Lafoe, Weston King, Ross Arch, Peyton Timbrook, Caroline Kizer, Reagan Parsons, Lydia Althoff, Bennett Sutter, Zane Keifaber,
Blake Barnett.

8PARIS HIGH SCHOOL
Members are Wyatt Burnett, Cameron Hunter, Payton Ness, Matthew Unterbrink, Jacob Green, Britany Williams, Chase Redington, Laine Forrest, Betsy Embree, Taylor
Dye, Carmyn Holmes, Adam Forrest, Katie Reams, Marlena Long, Andrea Unterbrink, Regan Ragsdale, Alyssa Francis, Cindy Kohler, Hannah Mitchell, Grace Peak, Tren-
ton Morgan, Tyler Reynolds, Patrick Ensor, Brant Ensor, Ben Ebbesmeyer, Tanner Anderson, Katelyn Breid, Allison Moore, Madison Wheelan, Makayla Fox, Elizabeth Vitt,
Katie Pugh, Bryce Dunlap, Jessica Staples, Dillan Hancock, Delaney Miller, Mollie Cupp, Amber Chapman, Jennifer Baumann, Allison Miller, Anna White, Jenna Ziemer,
Michael Ensor, Vernace Charlton, Brooke Young, Trenton Barnes, Tyler Staples, Joseph McCluney, Taylor Gruber, J.W. Bailey, Briar Hancock, Tucker Gruber, Jacob Pease,
Jessie Hoffman, Sarah Stahlschmidt, Zack Ensor, Taylor Brown Jacob Wolfe, Trenton Brandl and Troy Boshears.

SCOTLAND COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Front row, from left: Avery Shultz, secretary; Abby Blessing, historian; Luke Triplett, president; Brock Aylward, sentinel; Gabe Shultz, parliamentarian; Adam Slayton,
treasurer; Kyle Aldridge, first vice president; Parker Triplett, second vice president; Katie Campbell, reporter; Katelyn Talbert, chaplain. Second row: Harley Saulmon,
Breauna Altobelli, Lane Pence, Nova Cline, Branton Burrus, Jarred Dunn, Jacob Buford, Shelby Troutman, Shaye Eggleston, adviser Waltedda Blessing. Third row: Keely
Parrish-Johnson, Jenna Blessing, Austin Cochran, Lathe Bair, Anthony Whitaker, Hunter Frederick, Jacob McDaniel, Dylan Mohr, Morgan Blessing, Brooke Smith. Fourth
row: Jake Briggs, Khloe Hamlin, Connor Payne, Grant McRobert, Jaydan Payne, Kalissa Thomas, Jena Frederick, Shaylee Davis, Kilee Bradley-Robinson, Anna Triplett,
Hunter Carter. Fifth row: Magnum Talbert, Kameron Wood, Brock Durflinger, Jacob Kapfer, Britney Smith, Tanner Alexander, Kaleb Parkins, Jessica Huff, Ethan Tinkle.

8SOUTH SHELBY HIGH SCHOOL
Seniors: Kaitlin Caldwell, Kellie Carothers, Tamara Claussen, Brennah Collins, Luke Farrell, Kim Greenwell, Emilie Hamblen, Caitlyn Poore, Caroline Weatherford, Lily
Wegman, Drew Wilt, Jeffrey Wilt, Logan Wise. Juniors: Elyssa Barr, Anna Carpenter, Abbie Copenhaver, Heath Besowshek, Ericka Crawford, Brock Fifer, Bryant Fifer,
CJ Glover, Colby Harre, Isabella Hutcherson, Kurstyn Johnson, William Kendrick, Diane Mayes, Katie Mitchell, Gage Rainey, Austin Schaefer, Sadie Wear. Sopho-
mores: Dylan Broeckling, Ethan Buzzard, Carly Collins, Hailey Douglass, Nellea Dovin, Amber Durbin, Braydon Freisz, Hadley Hicks, Hannah Mason, Mady Rash, Callie
Roetemeyer, Makenzie Schwieter, Jacob Taylor, Guy Timbrook, Grace Weatherford, Anna Werr, Cason Wilt, Mallory Wood. Freshmen: Kaylin Bales, Sam Barbey, Parker
Beckley, Dalton Buckman, Garrett Chinn, Kemper Dimmit, Dylan Durbin, Lili Eads, Jaylah Eckert, David Fenton, Austyn Goodwin, Millie Gough, Jena Hammond, Michael
Howard, Wyatt Jackson, Kendall Kiser, Joe Krog, Toby Leftwich, Michael Maubach, Cole Mitchell, Masen Rash, Eli Shores, Nova Sizemore, Katie Smith, Cooper Steven-
son, Zeke Wilcox, Jarah Wilt, Marcus Wiseman.

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INSIDE: MEET FFA CHAPTERS FROM ACROSS THE REGION

of the Dawn Weinberg

Prices, trade, new

4 Meet the judges

24 Future farm bill

26 Succession plans Published by MANAGING STAFF WRITERS PHOTOGRAPHY

28 FFA chapters PUBLISHER Karen Hull, 221-3380

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 1

The family of Marilyn Moore, center, on the family farm

2 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 3

Judges say Moore family stands out Agriculture, education

4 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

Quincy Tractor would like to congratulate

Quincy | Hannibal | Bowling Green | Brookfield | Jerseyville

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 5

‘The future is bright’

6 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

Crop • Farm • Home • Auto

Congratulations to the Marilyn Moore Family

CAMP POINT MUTUAL

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 7

Dawn Weinberg leads a sixth-grade class in an activity to teach

8 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

10 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

Your hopes and dreams.

COMPEER.COM | (844) 426-6733

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 11

Prices, trade and new farm bill among top concerns

12 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 13

14 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 15

| By Deborah Gertz Husar Koch and his son Dan, along

16 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

that ballpark, to raise a cow to be “There’s been some changes

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 17

PROFESSIONAL AUCTIONS SINCE 1979

FOLLOW OUR WEBSITE FOR UPCOMING AUCTIONS, RESULTS AND VIDEOS:

MATT MICHAEL LUKE JAMES

DAN JOE JIM JOHN

18 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

| By Deborah Gertz Husar job of hedging patience on corn by

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 19

20 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 21

Your Local FFA Sponsors

Sydenstricker is currently looking for students to enter our Tech

Your Partner in Growing a Better Tomorrow | Visit us at www.sydenstrickers.com

22 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 23

24 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 25

The next generation

26 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

02242018_FF 18-32.indd 26 2/9/18 5:11 PM

The herald-whig FARM&FIELD 27

The evolution of FFA

28 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

At Memorial Hospital Foundation we are enhancing the health and wellness

30 FARM&FIELD The herald-whig

• New Patients Welcome

Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

32 FARM&FIELD THE HERALD-WHIG

Dot Foods is proud to support the

Brown Co. FFA

THE HERALD-WHIG FARM&FIELD 33