News and Information:
ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL FAIRS ANNUAL MEETING JANUARY 16-18
Attending the trade show will let you see, taste and hear what the newest trends for fair experiences will be. It offers fair board members a one stop opportunity to make their final plans and purchases from entertainment, equipment or service vendors, down to purchasing trophies and ribbons.
| 2009 ILLINOIS PRODUCTS EXPO – March 7-8, 2009
Over seventy Illinois food companies (and a few non-food companies) will be exhibiting and sampling at the 11th Illinois Products Expo...A Food and Cooking Extravaganza” to be held on March 7-8, 2009, in the Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL. The Expo is open to the public. The cost to attend is only $4.00 (children 10 and under - free). |
CANDIDATES FOR ILLINOIS COMMODITY BOARDS BEGIN PASSING NOMINATING PETITIONS Seats are up for election on three Illinois agricultural commodity boards. Eligible farmers who would like to run for a three-year term on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, the Illinois Soybean Operating Board, or the Illinois Sheep and Wool Marketing Board can pick-up nominating petitions.
NATIONAL TILLAGE EXPERTS TO ADDRESS IDOA-SPONSORED SEMINARS
Seminars to be held in January at three locations throughout Illinois
The seminars will be held throughout the state in January and feature Iowa farmer Clay Mitchell, an innovator in precision agriculture, Dr. Jerry Hatfield, director of the National Soil Tilth Lab in Ames, Ia., and Barry Fischer, state agronomist for the Indiana Natural Resources Service.
ILLINOIS SELECTED TO HOST INTERNATIONAL HOMELAND SECURITY TRAINING
Exercise will Test Response to Simulated Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak
The event, which will be held the week of June 16, 2009, in Wheaton, will include a two-day tabletop exercise that will simulate a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.
STATE AGRICULTURE EMPLOYEES HONORED FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE
Brad Beaver was presented the Director's Achievement Award today at the department's 30th annual Employee Awards Ceremony.
KEEP ANIMALS SAFE THIS WINTER
Winter weather could create harsh conditions for outdoor animals
As winter approaches, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is reminding animal owners to make sure livestock and outdoor pets are properly cared for.
CERTIFIED LIVESTOCK MANAGER TRAINING WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED
The Certified Livestock Manager Training workshops will be held from Dec. 10, 2008, through March 9, 2009, and have been updated to include new content.
MYCOTOXIN SURVEY
Every year the Illinois Department of Agriculture conducts mycotoxin surveys on corn to make sure it is safe for livestock feed. Department inspectors collect four corn samples per county, where possible, and send them to the Department's chemistry laboratory at the Illinois Department of Agriculture building in Springfield. The samples are analyzed for aflatoxin and fumonisin, two toxins that can be harmful to animals if feed contains high levels of either. Linked are state maps that show the county and levels of aflatoxin and fumonisin found in the corn samples analyzed so far this year. If you live in an area that shows high levels of either toxin and you are a livestock feeder, the Department recommends that the corn used in your feed ration be tested for these toxins.
ILLINOIS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PROGRESS REPORT AVAILABLE
The "Illinois Conservation Partnership Annual Report - 2007" details the soil and water conservation accomplishments throughout Illinois last year.
| AG LICENSE PLATE SOON-TO-BE AVAILABLE
Once 850 people have registered for the new plate, the Secretary of State's Office will start issuing the plates. The agriculture specialty plate will have a higher fee than regular plates, with the additional fee going to the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom fund.
|
APIARY NEWS IN ILLINOIS COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER
“Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD) has been identified as a new ailment affecting honeybee colonies in many areas of the United States. The disorder can cause a sudden, large-scale die-off of the colonies’ adult bees.
|
SOYBEAN RUST INFORMATION Agriculture Department stresses education in preparation for possible rust outbreak
|
HEARTLAND COOKBOOK
The Bureau of Marketing and Promotion's Grown from the Heart in the Heartland Cookbook represents a collection of recipes highlighting Illinois food products.
The cookbook includes a listing of the companies represented, a map and guide to Illinois Farmer's Markets, helpful hints, healthful hints, the new USDA food pyramid, a measurement chart, information on food handling, substitutions, microwave tips, napkin folding instructions, meaningful facts about Illinois products and trivia regarding the origin of various food companies in Illinois. |
HAY AND STRAW DIRECTORY The Illinois Department of Agriculture's Hay & Straw Directory is provided as a service to hay producers and buyers. This new interactive system will allow sellers to update their own listings in our continuing effort to include all Illinois hay producers who direct market their hay. |
NURSERY PROGRAM NOW ON-LINE
The nursery program inspection staff of the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Environmental Programs inspects and certifies nearly 1,200 nurseries in Illinois each year.
|
NEW FOOD & AGRIBUSINESS GUIDE
As a leading resource and advocate for agriculture within the state of Illinois, we have developed a new website to enhance and promote businesses which produce, process, package or are headquartered in Illinois. |
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE STARTS WORK ON ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
First step is to identify every premise that handles livestock and poultry In an ongoing effort to ensure safety in the food supply, the state Department of Agriculture has begun the difficult, but important task of identifying every farm, feedlot, sales barn and slaughter facility in Illinois that handles food animals. Register On-line
|
|
Agriculture Events
Boat and Camper Inventory Elimination, Jan 17 - 18, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Orr Building Admission: Free Sat.: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Sun.: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm c/o Mike Miles (217)793-7300Giant Flea Market, Sun, Jan 18, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Illinois Building Main Floor Admission: Adults - $1.25 Children (12 & under) - Free 8:30 am - 4:30 pm c/o John Crouch (217)529-6939The IL Assc of Drainage District Annual Conference, Jan 22 - 23, Holiday Inn, Champaign-Urbana c/o Cheryl Day (217) 763-6300Burns Dinner & Tartan Ball, Sat, Jan 24, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Artisans Building Admission: TBA 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm c/o Rebecca Montgomery (217)971-5893Motorcycle, ATV and Kart Racing, Sat, Jan 24, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, Southern Illinois Center $20.-Adults; $15.-6-11; 5 & under FREE Karts Gate 7:30 AM; Prac. 9 AM Motorcycle/ATV Gate 4 PM; Prac. 6 PM Heats and Mains to Follow Practices c/o Mr. Steve Nace 270-442-7532Everything Weddings Expo, Sun, Jan 25, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Orr Building Admission: $3.00 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm c/o Jeff Dillman (217)622-3808WSEC/PBS Fun Time Station, Sat, Jan 31, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Illinois Building Main Floor Admission: TBA 10:00 am - 3:00 pm c/o Sue Lovdahl (217)483-7887FLEA MARKET, Sun, Feb 1, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, EXPO HALL $1.00 8:30 AM TO 4:30 PM c/o MR. JOHN CROUCH 217-529-6939Equipment Auction, Thu, Feb 5, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Gate 2 Area Admission: Free 10:00 am c/o Steve Prenzlow (800)492-9090 Sportsman Show, Feb 7 - 8, DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, Expo Hall Adults $5.00; Children Free Sat. 9 AM to 5 PM; Sun. 9 AM to 3 PM c/o Mr. Nelson Adams 618-625-6753
If you have an event you would like posted, please email the webmaster for inclusion on this website. |