Issue 5 2018 - Fall

Farm Credit College Programs This Winter Registration Open to Members Now Attend one or more learning workshops hosted by FCI in the coming months featuring topics from crop marketing to estate planning and balance sheets.

Sign Up to Sharpen Your Skills with FCI Learning Programs

Weather Outlook Update Highly Variable Winter Forecast Following Favorable Fall With close to ideal weather for much of the growing and harvest seasons in Illinois, the winter forecast is highly variable, due in part because of the development of a “Modoki” El Nino in the Pacific Ocean.

What a Modoki El Nino Can Mean for Illinois

Looking for an Appraisal? Real Estate Appraisals Now Available For All

FCI’s cost-competitive agricultural real estate appraisal service is now available for any individual or entity needing fee appraisal work for real estate transactions, estate planning, and inheritance settlements. Request an Appraisal Today

Price Check Land Sales in the Last 90 Days The listing includes results for 48 different farmland auctions reported since the last results were published in June. These 48 public auctions concluded with successful bids and represented 4,779 total acres in 19 different counties selling for a grand total of $33.4 million with an average price of $6,989 per acre. The highest price per acre was $11,400 for Class A land in Christian and Coles Counties; the lowest price per acre was $2,250 for Classes C & D land in Cass and Monroe Counties.

Recent Auction Prices

Do You Have Pasture for Grazing or Haying? PRF Sales Closing Nov. 15

The pasture, rangeland, forage (PRF) insurance program is based on a precipitation index and designed to give farmers the ability to cover replacement feed costs if - due to a lack of precipitation - a loss of forage for grazing or haying for harvesting occurs. Is PRF Right for You?

T.I.P. Technology & Information Protection Guard Your Information When Upgrading Devices

If you recently purchased a new technology device, how do you dispose of your old one? Whether you decide to recycle or donate it – since they can’t be thrown away – be sure your personal data doesn’t go with your device. Clearing Your Personal Data From Old Devices

Growing Connections Meet Jake Lieb – Capturing a Piece of History on a Modern Farm

A fascination with American history started the Lieb family of Piatt County on a new venture in 2000. Today, Jake Lieb and his brother Josh raise a 50-head bison herd and use their beauty to teach visitors about modern agriculture.

Learn About a Modern Buffalo Farm

Focus on Farming Photo Contest Complete Check out the Winning Photos

Talented photographers throughout Illinois submitted 469 images showing agriculture and rural life at its best. Keep capturing moments throughout the year (don’t forget winter) and remember to enter again next year. View the Winning Entries

Farm Fresh Members Market Promote & Discover Local Products Near You

Looking for a u-pick pumpkin patch or apple orchard this fall? Wishing more people would visit your agribusiness? Visit the Farm Fresh Members Market on FCI's website to promote your farm's products or locate an FCI member-owner's farm near you offering fresh, local food.

Check Out the Farm Fresh Member's Market

Essentials Raffle & Reactions Enter to Win One of 10 Bluetooth Headsets - Drawing to be held Oct. 25

Here's a chance to win an "essential" to keep you in touch while driving on the road this harvest season. The slim, durable set has retractable headphones and advanced speaker technology for clear, hands-free conversations.

ENTER TO WIN

Congratulations to the winners of the grill kits following Issue 4: Allen Sasse of Logan County Alonzo Shoaf of Effingham County Anthony Munie of Montgomery County Carl Gaffner of Bond County Gail Hitchcock of Cass County Jared Kellerman of Perry County Jeremy Mott of Shelby County Marcia Cederberg of Piatt County Marvin Dean Beer of Saint Clair County Steven Stahl of Sangamon County

In Issue 4 of Essentials , readers were asked to predict when their harvest would begin. Here are the results from 217 respondents:

Staff in the Spotlight Welcome Aboard & Milestones

Get to know FCI’s newest team members and join us in giving a special tribute to employees who reached significant milestones in years of service to members and rural communities. Spotlight Slideshow