RFD Today

RFD Today

Discussing agricultural policy issues, commodity market trends and more, RFD Today is your deep dive into the most relevant news stories of the day. In this show, hosts Rita Frazer and Jim Taylor interview industry decision-makers throughout the state, providing reaction to and analysis of the challenges and opportunities affecting your farm. This is the daily radio broadcast repurposed as a podcast. If you have questions or content suggestions, please contact radio@ilfb.org.

Episodes

January 23, 2026 53 mins
"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow. 
Tracking this weekend's winter storm with Christine Wielgos, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY.
IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment features legendary Lincoln High School basketball coach Neil Alexander, who is four wins shy of 1,000.
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Previewing this month's Everything Local Conference with Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Food Systems Development Raghela Scavuzzo. 
Coverage of the MIDWEST AG EXPO from Gordyville USA with WITY's Dave Brown.  
Talking Illinois Farm Bureau local government priorities with Brenda Matherly and Ryan Tate.  
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January 21, 2026 53 mins
Monthy conversation with Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson.  
Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Transportation and Infrastructure promotes upcoming Rules for the Road programs.  
Visiting with Kristi Jones, who has been named new Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. 
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January 20, 2026 53 mins
State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator Kelly Estes. 
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.
Effingham County Farm Bureau Manager Julie Stephens. 
DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick.    
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January 19, 2026 53 mins
Highlighting the Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show with Don Schaefer from the Mid-West Truckers Association.  
Coverage of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs 115th Annual meeting, including interviews with outgoing president David Hake and incoming president Gary Mielke. 
Previewing a new market week with Commstock Investments Joe Camp.  
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January 16, 2026 53 mins
Monthly update with Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.  
Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine discusses data centers. 
The 103 year legacy of the Winchester Invitational Tournament with tournament historian Kent Coultas.  
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January 15, 2026 53 mins
"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Commodities Kevin Semlow.
State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Illinois Bill Graff discusses Farmer Bridge Assistance payments.  
Ed Shimon from the National Weather Service in Lincoln promotes a Storm Anxiety Webinar scheduled for Jan. 21.
Johnna Fulcher recaps her reign as Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. 
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January 14, 2026 53 mins
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson recaps the AFBF Convention in Anaheim. 
Also from Anaheim, we visit with a county farm bureau member from Tennessee, Herman Partin. 
Casey Bolin, District 5 Program Advisor for Faciliating Coordination in Agricultural Education (FCAE) gives an update on ag teaching vacancies.
University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson talks fruit tree pruning.  
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January 13, 2026 53 mins
Coverage of the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, including conversations with Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Kade Hill from Livingston County and Daniel and Constance Herriott from Champaign County. Plus, highlighting DuPage County Farm Bureau's "Grow Your Own Food: A Container to Table Activity".
Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto says cold, snow, and ice on the way over the next 12 days.  
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January 12, 2026 53 mins
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson from the AFBF Convention in Anaheim.
Catching up with Henry County farmer Kate Huffman following her Excellence in Ag presentation at AFBF Convention.  
Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for January Kinley Stolte from Nokomis High School in Montgomery County.
Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  

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January 9, 2026 53 mins
"Seven with Kevin" featuring Illinois Farm Bureau Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities Kevin Semlow. 
Jennifer Smith highlights IAA Foundation scholarship season. 
Learning about a proposed Basketball Museum of Illinois project from Bruce Firchau of the Illinois Basketball Coaches of Association. 
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January 8, 2026 53 mins
Talking 2026 Illinois State Fair with State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. 
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza promotes making financial resolutions in the new year.  
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January 7, 2026 53 mins
Talking 4-H with Illinois 4-H Director Kevin Carey. 
Jeremiah Fairbanks with Morton Buildings discusses farm building "checkups".
Highlighting the collegiate farm bureau chapter at the University of Illinois with Robby Holtschlag.  
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January 6, 2026 53 mins
John Shadowens, University of Illinois Extension Community Economic Development Educator discusses the challenges and issues independent grocers are facing in Illinois.
Illinois Ag in the Classroom's Kevin Daugherty provides monthly update. 
DTN agriculture meteorologist John Baranick talks drought monitor. 
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January 5, 2026 53 mins
Talking skin cancer and prostate cancer screenings with City of Hope. 
Learning about Norbert, the skateboarding pig in Buffalo Grove. 
Commstock Investements Joe Camp previews a new market week.  
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January 2, 2026 53 mins
Illinois FFA President Natalie Pratt discusses her first six months in office.  
Troy Uphoff details his participation in the National Corn Growers Association yield contest.
IHSA Friday Friday Friday segment features Dave Nanninga from IllinoisHighSchoolGloryDays.com. 
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January 1, 2026 53 mins
A best of show on New Year's Day featuring:
Rick Collins with Firmitas and his work on barn restorations.
Dakarai Howard with the Illinois Department of Agriculture at a community food plot hosted by the Crete-Monee FFA Chapter. 
Jacob Burks from AgMarket.net reliving his days on the rodeo circuit. 
David Grindle with the International Association of Fairs and Expositions on the financial impact of county fairs.  
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December 31, 2025 53 mins
Recapping last weekend's damaging storms with meteorologist Ed Shimon from the National Weather Service in Lincoln. 
Highlighting a Champaign County Farm Bureau program called Farm Smarts: A Fresh Look at Farm Fundamentals. 
Looking back at 2025 with the Illinois Soybean Association and Midwest Dairy.  
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December 30, 2025 52 mins
Licensed professional counselor Rachel Brown reflects on 2025 and looks ahead to 2026.
First ever Illinois FFA State Sentinel Paige Sierens discusses the first six months of her term.  
Talking IDNR First Day Hikes with Troy Gilmore at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site. 
Meteorologist Paul Otto at Freese-Notis Weather recaps last weekend's storm and looks at New Year's Eve and New Year's Day weather.  

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December 29, 2025 52 mins
Highlighting Illinois' newest FFA chapter, Routt Catholic in Jacksonville. 
Recapping 2025 with Lindsay Croke from IL Corn.
Joe Camp at Commstock Investments previews a new market week.  
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