Heart of Illinois Ag Newsletter
Fall 2007CalendarINDEX
DateEvent
July 13-Oct 13Countywide Waste Tire Collections
July 21Aquatic Plant Workshop–Normal, IL
July 21-25International Soil & Water Conservation Society Annual Conf–Tampa, FL
July 29- July 31AISWCD Summer Conference–Springfield, IL
July 30-Aug 31Agrichemical Containers Recycling
July 31Midwest Strip-tillage Expo –Waterloo, IA
Aug 1-2 Upper Midwest Grazing Conference – Dubuque, Iowa
Aug 17- Oct 23Sustainable Agriculture Tours
Aug 10-19Illinois State Fair–Springfield,IL
Aug 22Cow-Calf Team Meeting – Carlinville
Aug 23Cow-Calf Team Meeting – East Peoria
Aug 21-23Conservation Expo 2007–Colfax
Aug 28-30Farm Progress Show – Decatur, IL
Aug 29-31National Angus Conference & Tour – Peoria, IL
Sept 6Orr Beef Field Day – Perry, IL
Sept 6Midwest Swine Nutrition Conference – Indianapolis, IN
Sept 11Beef Cow Nutrition Workshop – Hillsboro, IL
Sept 15State Fair Junior Horse Show Scholarship
Sept 15It’s Our River Day: Sept. 15th – (Sign-up by August 15th)
Oct 2-4Governor’s Conf on the Management of the IL River System–Peoria
Oct 14-20National Radon Action Week
Oct 16World Food Day
Oct 16-18Bio-Fuel Production Midwest SWCS Conference–Dubuque, IA
Oct 18World Water Monitoring Day
Nov 15America Recycles Day
Nov 16-22FarmCity Week
Nov 27-29Greater Peoria Farm Show
Dec 6Regional Soil and Water Workshops
Used Tire Collections
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has released the 2007 dates and locations for the 2007 Countywide Waste Tire Collections. Many University of Illinois Extension Unit offices have their Master Gardeners assist with homeowner education and promotion associated with this event.
If your county does not have a collection date scheduled for 2007, IL EPA is always looking for interested local agency sponsors to help organize these events. To find out the dates and locations for these events, or to inquire about organizing your own county-wide event, check out this website: phone (217)-785-8604.
2007 Countywide Waste Tire Collections
DATES / COUNTY / COSPONSORS / LOCATIONJuly 13-14
9 am - 3 pm / Kankakee / Kankakee Co. Planning Dept. / KankakeeCommunity College, 100 College Dr., Kankakee
July 26
8 am - 3 pm / Saline / Egyptian Public & Mental Health Dept. / Vacant Parking Lot, 8 - 10 Main St., Carrier Mills
July 27
8 am - 3 pm / Gallatin / Egyptian Public & Mental Health Dept. / Vacant Parking Lot, Rte. 45, Omaha
July 28
8 am - 3 pm / White / Egyptian Public & Mental Health Dept. / Vacant Parking Lot, East North St. Boat Ramp, Grayville
July 28 / Piatt / Piatt Co. Health Dept. / Monticello (tentative)
August 3-4
9 am - 3 pm / Grundy / Grundy Co. Office of Solid Waste Mgmt. / CoalCityHigh School, Hwy. 113, CoalCity (tentative)
August 17 - 18
9 am - 3 pm / Ogle / Ogle Co. Solid Waste Mgmt. Dept. / Ogle Co. Fairgrounds, 1440 N. Limekiln Rd., Oregon (tentative)
September 7 - 8
8 am - 3pm / Knox / Knox Co. Health Dept. / Knox Co. Fairgrounds, 1392 Knox Hwy. 9, Knoxville (tentative)
September 14 - 15
8 am - 3 pm / Will / Will Co.Land Use Dept. / Will Co. Hwy. Dept. Crest Hill Facility, 1240 W. Caton Farm Rd., Crest Hill
September 21-22
8 am - 5 pm/8 am - 3 pm / Jackson / Jackson Co. Health Dept. / Jackson Co. Extension Office, 402 Ava Rd., Murphysboro
October 12-13 / Tazewell / Tazewell Co. Health Dept. / Festival of Lights Facility, 2200 E. Washington St., East Peoria
TBA / Boone / Boone Co. Health Dept. / TBA
TBA / Fayette / Fayette Co. Health Dept. / TBA
TBA / Lake / Lake Co. Health Dept. / TBA
TBA / Mason / Mason Co. Health Dept. / TBA
TBA / Monroe / Monroe-Randolph Bi-Co. Health Dept. / TBA
TBA / Montgomery / MontgomeryCo. Coordinated Services / TBA
TBA / Moultrie / Moultrie Co. Soil & Water Conservation Dist. / TBA
TBA / Wayne / Wayne Co. Health Dept. / TBA
TBA / Winnebago / Winnebago Co. Board / TBA
Other collections will be posted as they are scheduled. Listings are subject to change without notice. For further information contact Tap Hefley at 217/785-8604.
Dates and locations for other tire recycling collections will be posted as they are scheduled. Listings are subject to change without notice.
Aquatic Plant Workshop
Saturday, July 21
An Aquatic Plan Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, July 21st from 10:00am – 1:00pm at HeartlandCommunity College, Room CCB 1407, 1500 West Raab Road, Normal, IL61761. It is being sponsored by the Illinois Lake Management Association.
This workshop is designed for pond owners and lake associations who are interested in learning how to provide beneficial aquatic habitat to their pond. Attend this workshop and learn what plants are beneficial to the health of your pond. After learning what plants are suited for your pond, you will learn how to propagate, plant, and manage aquatic vegetation. The agenda includes:
10:00 am – Mike Reed, Missouri Department of Conservation, “Propagation, Planting, and Management of Aquatic Vegetation”
10:30 am – Question and answer session – Mike Reed, Missouri Department of Conservation and Mike Garthaus, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
11:30 am – Lunch – a box lunch and drinks are provided.
12:00 pm – Hands-on session at on-site pond. Workshop participants will be able to perform tasks discussed during the presentation session. Plan on getting wet! Bring boots, waders, or shoes to spend time in the water.
Advance Registration is needed with a Registration Deadline of July 16th. Workshop is limited to 50 participants. There is a $15 fee per person for attending. Register for this workshop by sending your name, address, e-mail, and phone number, along with your payment to: Otter Lake Water Commission, PO Box 468, Virden, IL62690. Make payments to: “Illinois Lake Management Association”. For more information, contact Dave Shiley, University of Illinois Natural Resources Educator, ph. 217-3334901, E-mail
International Soil & Water Conservation Society Annual Conference
July 21 – 25
The 62nd Annual Conference of the International Soil and Water Conservation Society will be July 21 – 25, 2007 at the Saddlebrook Resort, Tampa, Florida. Founded in 1945, the Soil and Water Conservation Society is a nonprofit, professional organization that serves as an advocate for the conservation professions and for science-based conservation policy. The Society has chapters in all 50 states and about 9,000 members worldwide.
This year’s conference theme is “Conservation Challenges in a Changing Landscape.” Plan to attend the conference to gather valuable natural resource conservation information, network, and participate in numerous plenary and concurrent sessions, and educational tours. The SWCS annual conference brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers at all levels of government, along with a broad cross-section of other interest groups, to explore current issues in natural resource management and planning. But more specifically, the 2007 conference will focus on three critical topics:
1) Conservation Implications of a Bio-based Economy
2) Integrated Watershed Management
3) Adaptive Management: Theory into Practice
The 2007 annual conference will take place at the Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Florida. For more information on the Conference Agenda, conservation tours, featured speakers, and registration information visit the SWCS website at: For more information, contact Bob Frazee, University of Illinois Natural Resources Educator, phone: (309)-694-7501, Ext. 226.
2007 AISWCD Summer Conference
July 29 - 31
The 2007 AISWCD Summer Conference is scheduled for July 29 – 31 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and ConferenceCenter in historic downtown Springfield, Illinois. It is organized by the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD), which is made up and serves Illinois’ 98 member Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD’s). Each local District is governed by an elected five member board
Session topics will include presentations dealing with: Watershed Management, Natural Resource Reclamation/Restoration, Ground Water Protection, Sustainable Agriculture, Cropping Systems, Farmland Protection, Livestock Waste Management, Erosion and Sediment Control, Water Quality, and Natural Resource Management Technology.
The Summer Conference provides an opportunity for local SWCD board members from throughout Illinois to assemble and learn the latest research and technology associated with resource management. Farmers, landowners, crop consultants, lenders, and agri-business representatives are also encouraged to attend this year’s conference. Advance registration is encouraged.
Continuing education credits will be available for Certified Crop Advisers and Certified Professionals in Erosion & Sediment Control. A detailed conference agenda and registration details are available at the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation District’s website For more information, contact Richard Nichols, AISWCD Executive Director, or phone 217-744-3414.
2007 Agrichemical Container Recycling Schedule
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has an excellent pesticide container-recycling program, which is available for farmers throughout Illinois. The following website provides information on the proper rinsing and preparation of pesticide containers before bringing them to a recycling site
Why is it important to recycle your pesticide containers? When empty pesticide containers are recycled, you are helping to protect the environment by diverting potential waste to the production of useful products. Furthermore, you are helping to reduce the spread of your local landfills. Plastic from pesticide containers can be recycled into a number of products including pallets, new pesticide containers, fuel for cement kilns, fence posts, roadside signposts, guard rails, drainage tile, sewage tile and hazardous waste drums.
** Please remember, the recycling program will only accept clean, dry, high density polyethylene (HDPE) #2 plastic pesticide containers. To prepare pesticide containers for recycling, rinsing right after use is the best way to ensure a clean container. Depending on what system fits your operation, you can either triple rinse or pressure rinse your containers. Your local agricultural chemical dealer can give you more information about pressurized rinse systems.
There are four Permanent Collection Sites in Illinois, which are able to accept pesticide containers for recycling throughout the year. Before dropping off containers, please call to ensure the facility will be open.
County / Location / ContactGreene
Warren
Wayne
McLean / IllinoisValley Supply
Carrollton
Monmouth Grain and Dryer
Monmouth
Wabash Valley Service Co.
Ellery
Randolph Ag Service Inc.
Heyworth / John Quandt
(217) 942-6991
Kevin Lovdahl
(309) 734-8423
Mike Wilson
618-446-5160
Dee Hamilton
(309) 473-3256
The Illinois Department of Agriculture will also be scheduling a number of one-day pesticide container recycling sites in counties throughout Illinois during July and August, 2007. These are listed on the following table.
2007 Single Day Collection SitesAM indicates collection site hours are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
PM indicates collection site hours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
County / Date / Time / Host Facility / City / Contact / Phone #
Pike / 7/30/07 / PM / Two Rivers FS / Pittsfield, IL / Mike Smith / 217-285-4477
Morgan / 7/31/07 / AM / LincolnLand FS / Jacksonville, IL / Keith Fricke / 217-243-6561
Cass / 7/31/07 / PM / Sunrise Ag Serv. / Virginia, IL / Mike Beck / 217-452-7751
Schuyler / 8/1/07 / AM / Two Rivers FS / Rushville, IL / Aaron Winner / 217-322-2024
Hancock / 8/1/07 / PM / Chem-Gro / Bowen, IL / Todd Nelson / 217-842-5514
McDonough / 8/2/07 / AM / UAP Richter / Blandinsville, IL / Lee Ward / 309-652-3694
Mercer / 8/2/07 / PM / Gold Star FS / Aledo, IL / Greg Howard / 309-582-7271
Henry / 8/3/07 / AM / Gateway Coop / Galva, IL / Mark VanDeVelde / 309-932-2081
Whiteside / 8/6/07 / PM / Gold Star FS / Lyndon, IL / Fritz Oncken / 815-778-3331
Stephenson / 8/7/07 / AM / Dakota Co-op / Dakota, IL / Tom Wells / 815-449-2254
Winnebago / 8/7/07 / PM / Conserv FS / Rockford, IL / Bernie Parisot / 815-963-7669
McHenry / 8/8/07 / AM / Conserv FS / Marengo, IL / Jeff Kimmel / 815-568-7211
Lee / 8/8/07 / PM / Hintzsche Fert. / Scarboro, IL / Brock Sanderson / 815-824-2266
LaSalle / 8/9/07 / AM / Graainco FS Inc. / Lostant, IL / Steve Puetz / 815-368-3215
Woodford / 8/9/07 / PM / Evergreen FS / Minonk, IL / Melvin Feazel / 309-432-2592
Peoria / 8/13/07 / PM / Agland FS / HannaCity, IL / Mark Alvey / 309-565-4315
Tazewell / 8/14/07 / AM / Agland FS / Green Valley, IL / Tim Dare / 309-352-2700
Tazewell / 8/14/07 / PM / DCM Crop Care / Deer Creek, IL / George Clark / 309-447-6456
Livingston / 8/15/07 / AM / CPS / Saunemin, IL / Steve Schaffer / 815-832-4491
Kankakee / 8/15/07 / PM / Chebanse Ag / Chebanse, IL / Dean Schafer / 815-697-2392
Iroquois / 8/16/07 / PM / Weber Fertilizer / Buckley, IL / Delmar Ecker / 217-394-2042
Clark / 8/17/07 / PM / Effingham Equity / Marshal, IL / Rodney Schultz / 217-342-3123
Jefferson / 8/27/07 / PM / Mt.Vernon Elev. / Mt. Vernon, IL / Danny Farmer / 618-244-1146
Randolph / 8/28/07 / AM / Bockhorn Ag / Sparta, IL / Cheri Brewer / 618-443-3905
Monroe / 8/28/07 / PM / Gateway FS / Waterloo, IL / Jerry Roosevelt / 618-282-4000
Clinton / 8/29/07 / AM / CPS / New Baden, IL / Jeff Haas / 618-588-3525
Madison / 8/29/07 / PM / Madison Serv. Co. / Marine, IL / Mike Sager / 618-887-4275
Fayette / 8/30/07 / AM / Woolsey Brothers / Vandalia, IL / Herb Wolsey / 618-283-1263
Christian / 8/30/07 / AM / Effingham Equity / Pana, IL / Steve Morrell / 217-562-5011
Macoupin / 8/31/07 / PM / M & M Service / Girard, IL / Zane Rutherford / 217-627-2151
For more information about this program, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture at ph. (800)-641-3934 or go to their website
Midwest Strip-tillage Expo
Tuesday, July 31
Tillage specialists from three states will join together in Waterloo, IA on July 31 to present the Midwest Strip-Tillage Expo 07. The daylong event is organized by Research and Extension of Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and HawkeyeCommunity College.
The program will include concurrent educational presentations and field demonstrations starting at 9 am and repeated at 1 pm. At 11a.m. a panel of veteran strip-tillers will discuss their experiences and techniques. The educational program will include presentations on fertility management for strip-tillage, strip-tillage in continuous corn, auto-steer and guidance technology, and selecting a strip-tillage tool.
Field demonstrations will give farmers a chance to compare features of a variety of strip-tillage equipment and related products, including auto-guidance systems and fertilizer injectors. Manufacturer’s representatives will be on hand to answer questions. In addition, information booths will be open all day.
This program is free and open to the public. Five Certified Crop Advisor CEUs (4.5 SW and 0.5 NM) will be available for a nominal fee. Lunch will be available for a nominal cost.
For more information, contact Richard Wolkowski, Univ. of WS, ph. 608-263-3913, or go to the field day website:
Upper Midwest Grazing Conference
Wednesday & Thursday, August 1 & 2
The Upper Midwest Grazing Conference returns to Dubuque August 1 & 2, 2007, with a new format. Instead of being spread over three days, the conference has been condensed into two days--one day for classroom-type seminars and the second day for a tour of farms and research facilities in Southwest Wisconsin.
The first day features university specialists, extension agents and producers speaking on a variety of topics. There will be breakout sessions for dairy producers and those interested in meat animal production. Topics include using byproduct feeds to supplement pasture, choosing varieties for forage production, low-cost parlor, organic milk production and dairy cattle crossbreeding research. On the livestock side, pasture finishing beef cattle, managing parasites and meat goat production will be discussed. That evening a speaker from Senator Tom Harkin’s office will discuss conservation programs in the farm bill.
The second day will be all tours. The first stop will be an organic dairy farm with a new parlor. From there it’s on to the UW-Platteville Pioneer farm, where Dennis Frame will discuss the Discovery Farm program and how we can apply what has been learned to grazing operations. After lunch, we will tour the new dairy facility (including a robotic milker). From there, it’s on to a beef and sheep grazing farm and then back to the motel.
The headquarters for the conference will be the Midway Best Western Motel, 3100 Dodge St., Dubuque, Iowa. You may choose to attend either or both days. For more information, please contact Dave Wachter at the Grant County Extension office, 608-723-2125 or check out the conference website at
2007 Sustainable Agriculture Tours
Aug 17- Oct 23
The Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program at the University of Illinois has announced their schedule of remaining sustainable agriculture tours for Fall 2007 on a variety of topics.
August 17 Three Rivers Community Farm, Elsah, IL is a 150-member Community Supported Agriculture program, boasting "exceptional vegetables, herbs, and flowers grown sustainably and chemical-free."The farm also sells to local restaurants andthe Tower Grove Farmers' Market in St. Louis. Solar power generates the farm's electricity
September 14 University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center will showcase no-till farming, the largest beef cattle research herd east of the Mississippi river, fruit and vegetable research, and organic apple production.
October 23 The Kuipers Family Farm, Maple Park, IL is an example of creative agritourism efforts. The farm includes apple orchards, a pumpkin patch, Christmas trees and two gift shops that sell fall and winter decorations, gourmet jams, jellies and apple cider.
A fee of $20 per person will be charged for each tour. This fee includes lunch. Registration at least one week in advance is required. Visit to register and for more details about each of the tours including a map and agenda or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant at (217-968-5512 or
Conservation Expo 2007
August 21 – 23
Conservation Expo 2007 is coming to central Illinois on August 21, 22, & 23, 2007. This statewide event is a showcase for the construction and exhibition of conservation and land improvement practices and equipment. The hosts for this year’s Conservation Expo are Richard and Robert Lasser, Colfax, IL.
The Conservation Expo 2007 Show Site is located approximately 2 miles south of Colfax, IL, in McLean County, in central Illinois. It is located just off of IL Route 9, about 15 miles east of Bloomington, or about 15 miles west of Gibson City. Coming from either direction proceed to County Highway 15 or Road 3300E, also known as the Colfax –Arrowsmith Road. Turn north towards Colfax and travel 4 miles to County Road 1800N. Turn right and go east one fourth mile. The show site will be on your right.
Throughout the 3-day event, tours will be conducted to showcase the following eight conservation structures and practices: Pond Construction, Wetland Restoration, Field Borders/Wildlife Food Plots, Filter Strips, Grassed Waterways, Stream Monitoring/Water Quality, Soils Demonstration and New Septic System Installations. Tour guides will be at each of the sites throughout the show to discuss installation techniques, cost of construction, and benefits to the landowner and the watershed. More complete tour information will be available shortly.
The hours of the Conservation Expo are Tuesday & Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Wednesday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. There is no admission charge, and everyone is welcome to attend, including landowners, farmers, agri-businesses, conservationists, planners and the general public. Food and drink concessions will be available at the show site.
The Illinois Conservation Expo is sponsored by the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association (ILICA), in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and University of Illinois Extension. For more information, go to the ILICA website or contact Janet Burtle-Doubet, Ex. Director of ILICA, ph. 309-446-3700, e-mail ; the McLean County SWCD/NRCS, ph. 309-452-0830, Ext. 3; or Bob Frazee, University of Illinois Extension, ph. 309-694-7501, Ext. 226.