News

Farmers fighting deer

A western Illinois farmer says the state’s deer population is taking a toll on farmers’ bottom lines.

Rick Edwards, who farms in Adams County, and represents District 9 on the Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Directors, says the animals do an untold amount of damage to crops every year and it has even more of an impact in a down ag economy.

“It’s hard to put a dollar on it, but in those cases, those beans probably would’ve made 50 bushel and they probably only made 10, so they lost 40 bushels an acre at $10. You know, we’re talking $400 an acre.”  He says, “That farmer is losing $100 an acre out of pocket right off top of that.”

He tells Brownfield Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) is working with the state to give farmers better tools for herd management.

“The nuisance permit is only available during the summer and not real conducive for farmers to utilize because crops are up.”  He says, “We’re looking at maybe moving that to the wintertime. Farmers can harvest those deer, get them processed, donate the meat to food banks. I mean it’s a win, win situation. There’s just too many deer.”

Edwards says several legislative proposals on the issue are currently being considered in the Illinois General Assembly. 

Edwards and other IFB officials took their message to lawmakers during the 2025 Illinois Ag Legislative Day.  Brownfield spoke with Edwards at the state capitol.

AUDIO: Rick Edwards – Illinois farmer