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Prices & politics highlight Ag Day discussions at Illinois State Fair

Prices and politics are highlighting discussions at the kickoff of the Illinois State Fair.                 

KJ Johnson, president of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association, says the annual tradition of Ag Day represents an industry homecoming.

“This is one of those times where we get to see everybody in the industry.”  He says, “Everybody’s thinking about election stuff, nationally and state, what does that mean. A lot about Farm Bill.”

Marshall County farmer Don Guinnip tells Brownfield farm profitability is also top of mind.

“A lot of the conversations are on how good the crop is and how low prices can go.”  He says, “We’ve just had a steady downtrend in commodity prices and steady uptrend in interest rates, so there’s a lot of conversation about economics and agriculture.”

Guinnip says farm groups are utilizing the day’s events to highlight agriculture’s impact to lawmakers and fairgoers. 

AUDIO: KJ Johnson – IL Fertilizer & Chemical Association