Local Ag News

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service releasing cash rent data for Illinois. The 2023 estimates show Mercer County at $263.00 per acre for non-irrigated cropland. Pastureland is averaging $42 per acre. For nearby counties. $267.00 [FULL STORY]

Mercer County included in U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s latest natural disaster declaration. The action stems from summer drought conditions. Mercer, McDonough, Fulton, and Tazewell counties are designated as primary natural disaster areas. This follows [FULL STORY]

Mercer County Farm Bureau hosting an anhydrous ammonia safety day this weekend. Farmers, police, fire, and other emergency services personnel invited to the event says Mercer County Farm Bureau manager Jenna Preston. The anhydrous ammonia [FULL STORY]

Finishing her junior livestock showing career on a high note. Former Mercer County FFA president Sheridan Hank has accomplished a rare feat at this year’s Illinois State Fair. She had not one, but two market [FULL STORY]

A banner day in the show ring for a Mercer County middle schooler. Eleven-year-old Colt Roeder won reserve grand champion honors at the Illinois State Fair with his purebred Simmental heifer, named Sadie, who was [FULL STORY]

Mercer County is in a rare position. The county now has two members in Congress. Eric Sorenson represents the eastern part of the county with Mary Miller serving Aledo and the west end of the [FULL STORY]

Drought conditions also having an impact on specialty growers. Kate Danner is owner/operator of Dandee Flowers west of Aledo. This is year number three for Danner’s Dandee Flowers agritourism business. The latest drought monitor map [FULL STORY]