IL CORN TV

Hosted by IL Corn

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Episodes

125

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

IL Corn is made up of two farmer-led organizations that serve corn farmers in Illinois: IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and IL Corn Marketing Board (ICMB). ICGA represents the interests of Illinois corn farmers in Washington, DC, and Springfield, IL, while ICMB is focused on growing demand, creating new markets, and fostering understanding of corn farmers and the corn industry. Through these two organizations, IL Corn seeks to position corn farmers to create and capture profit opportunities, preserve their independence, and prosper for generations.

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60 recent

August 17, 2026Episode 12415 min

Cover Crops Made Farming More Profitable

Building a stronger farm starts with making decisions that improve soil health, protect resources, and support long-term profitability. Host John Klemm sits down with Jay Whalen, a fifth-generation farmer at Whalen Farms and seed specialist with ProHarvest Seeds, to discuss his journey implementing cover crops, no-till farming, and other conservation practices on his Illinois operation. Jay shares how he started small with cover crops, learned through trial and error, and gradually expanded conservation practices across his entire farm. The conversation explores how soil health, data, and hands-on experience have helped Jay improve his operation, reduce inputs, and make more informed decisions. Jay also discusses the challenges of adopting new farming practices, the importance of finding the right fit for each operation, and why return on investment and profitability remain at the center of every farm decision. Key Takeaways: 0:00 – Meet Jay Whalen and his family farming legacy 1:47 – Not to be corny 2:30 – Meet Jay & ProHarvest Seeds 3:13 – Jay’s Journey Into Cover Crops 4:05 – Honoring Conservation Leadership 5:19 – The Challenges of Conservation Adoption 6:11 – Starting Small With Cover Crops 7:23 – Scaling Cover Crops Across the Farm 11:28 – Building Healthier Soils 13:00 – The ROI of Conservation 14:00 – Finding What Fits Your Farm 15:04 – Final Thoughts 🌱 Learn more about IL Corn: https://www.ilcorn.org/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone interested in conservation agriculture, soil health, and the future of farming. #ILCornTV #ConservationAgriculture #CoverCrops #SoilHealth #NoTillFarming #FarmManagement #CornFarmers #IllinoisAgriculture #SustainableFarming

August 10, 2026Episode 12315 min

Inside Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom

Helping students understand where their food comes from starts with meaningful conversations in the classroom. In this episode of IL Corn TV, John Klemm talks with Kevin Daugherty, Director of Ag in the Classroom with Illinois Farm Bureau (@IAITC), about how educators across Illinois are bringing agriculture into everyday lessons. They discuss the importance of agricultural literacy, hands-on learning experiences, and the resources that help teachers connect agriculture with science, history, math, and language arts. Kevin shares how Ag in the Classroom helps students discover the role agriculture plays in their daily lives, from exploring the science behind a corn kernel to understanding how transportation systems like roads, rivers, rails, and Route 66 help move agricultural products across the country. Episode Highlights: 0:00 – Meet Kevin Daugherty & Ag in the Classroom 1:21 – Not To Be Corny 2:07 – Kevin’s Journey Into Agricultural Education 3:06 – Bringing Agriculture Into the Classroom 4:26 – How Route 66 Shaped Illinois Agriculture 5:17 – Connecting Transportation and Agriculture for Students 8:17 – Helping Teachers Bring Ag Lessons to Life 9:00 – Building Informed Consumers Through Ag Education 9:45 – Teaching Agriculture Through Books and Stories 13:45 – Digital tools for ag learning 15:10 – Kevin’s Corny Joke 15:36 – Closing thoughts Learn more about Illinois Ag in the Classroom: https://www.agintheclassroom.org/ 📍 Learn more about IL Corn: https://www.ilcorn.org/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 Sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org #ILCornTV #AgLiteracy #AgInTheClassroom #IllinoisFarmBureau #AgricultureEducation #CornFarmers #Agriculture #ILCorn

August 3, 2026Episode 12212 min

PCM Farmer Talks Farm Economics

Behind every farm decision is a mix of experience, numbers, and what’s actually happening out in the field. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Lindsay Croke talks with Andy Gilson, a farmer and Precision Conservation Management specialist in Western Illinois, about what it means to bring both farming experience and conservation economics into the same conversation. Andy shares his perspective from running a multi-generational family farm while also working with other growers to better understand the real costs and returns behind conservation practices. They discuss how things like tillage systems, no-till, and cover crops can look very different once you start digging into the numbers, and why those conversations are often best coming from other farmers. Episode Highlights 0:00 – Introduction: Andy Gilson 1:10 – Life and farming in Western Illinois 3:00 – What PCM is and how it works 5:10 – Cover crops on Andy’s farm 7:00 – Advice to his younger self 8:30 – Farmer-to-farmer conversations 10:15 – The economics of conservation practices 12:30 – Cost-share programs and support options 14:10 – A moment from the field 15:30 – Closing thoughts 📍Learn more about PCM: https://precisionconservation.org/farmers/western-illinois-region/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For inquiries about IL Corn TV sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to marketing@ilcorn.org 👍If you enjoyed this episode, follow, subscribe, and share it with someone interested in conservation farming, farm economics, and the future of sustainable agriculture. #ILCornTV #AgEconomy #PrecisionAg #ConservationFarming #CoverCrops #SoilHealth #FarmEconomics

July 27, 2026Episode 12112 min

7 Corn Yeild Secrets Farmers Need

Understanding what drives corn yield goes far beyond weather and inputs; it comes down to the management decisions made throughout the season. In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Lindsay Croke talks with Dr. Fred Below, Professor of Crop Physiology at the University of Illinois, about the “Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World,” a research-based framework built from years of field data that explains what really moves yield potential in corn. Dr. Below walks through the biggest yield drivers, including weather, fertility, hybrid selection, and nitrogen timing, and why getting nitrogen right between V8 and R2 can make a major difference. He also breaks down the importance of the 4Rs of nutrient management and why applying fertilizer too early can lead to losses in both efficiency and profit. Key Takeaways: 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Dr. Fred Below 01:20 – What are the “Seven Wonders of Corn Yield World”? 03:10 – Why weather still leads yield drivers 04:15 – Nitrogen timing and peak uptake (V8–R2) 06:10 – Common mistakes in fertilizer timing 07:40 – The 4Rs of nutrient management 09:00 – Why over-applying nitrogen reduces profitability 10:20 – Hybrid selection and genetic improvements 12:10 – Yield gaps in modern corn production 14:00 – What we used to believe about corn 16:30 – Discoveries in root systems and plant physiology 18:40 – The future of below-ground research 20:10 – Not to be corny More from: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: https://illinois.edu/?utm_source=Illinois_App&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=Header 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 📲 Follow @ilcorn on social media for updates, industry insights, and future episodes. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, follow, and share it with someone interested in agronomy, crop science, and the future of corn production. #ILCornTV #CornYield #Agronomy #CropScience #NitrogenManagement #HybridSelection #SoilHealth #PrecisionAg #FarmManagement #AgResearch

July 20, 2026Episode 12019 min

How IL Corn Works for Farmers

Rodney Weinzierl, Executive Director of IL Corn, joins IL Corn TV host Lindsay Croke for a conversation about the work happening behind the scenes to support Illinois farmers. From developing export markets and improving river infrastructure to advancing crop insurance and conservation programs, Rodney shares how IL Corn helps tackle challenges that individual farmers can't solve alone. Drawing from decades of experience, he reflects on how agriculture has evolved, what has driven corn demand over the years, and why he's optimistic about the future of farming. He also shares advice for the next generation of farmers and ag professionals navigating an increasingly complex industry. Episode Highlights: 0:00 – Meet Rodney Weinzierl 0:43 – What Illinois Corn Does for Farmers 3:08 – Growing Markets and Expanding Opportunities 6:18 – The Work Farmers Don't Always See 8:22 – How Checkoff Investments Deliver Value 10:03 – The Crop Insurance Innovation That Changed Farming 12:02 – A Decade of Precision Conservation Management 16:28 – How Agriculture Has Evolved Over the Years 19:40 – Creating Demand in a Changing Industry 21:47 – Advice for Young Farmers and Ag Professionals 25:00 – Why the Future of Agriculture Looks Bright 29:10 – Not To Be Corny Learn more about Illinois Corn: https://www.ilcorn.org 📧 Stay updated on new episodes: https://bit.ly/ilcorntvalerts 📲 Follow @ilcorn for industry updates, farmer stories, and future episodes. 📩 For inquiries about IL Corn TV sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to marketing@ilcorn.org. #ILCornTV #SustainableAgriculture #AgEducation #FarmConservation #IllinoisAgriculture #FutureOfFarming

July 13, 2026Episode 11918 min

Farmers Are Giving Away More Data Than They Know

What does it take to understand and protect farm data in today’s digital agriculture era? Host Laura Gentry, Director of Water Quality Science at the Illinois Corn Growers Association, sits down with Todd Janzen, agricultural lawyer and founder of Janzen Schroeder Agricultural Law and Ag Data Transparent @janzenaglaw4755, to break down how farm data is collected, used, and protected across modern agriculture. The conversation explores how ag data has evolved over the past decade, from yield benchmarking to today’s focus on traceability, AI, and smarter decision-making. Todd also explains why ag contracts matter and how Ag Data Transparent helps farmers quickly understand what they’re signing without digging through long legal documents. Key Takeaways: 0:00 – Introduction: Farm Data in Modern Agriculture 2:45 – Farm Data: From Benchmarking to AI 4:18 – Privacy concerns in ag data (then vs now) 5:03 – Who owns farm data vs who can use it 5:47 – What Ag Data Transparent is and why it exists 7:20 – How Certification Works for Companies 8:59 – Inside Certified Ag Tech Companies 11:13 –The Value of Transparency in Ag Contracts 14:33 –Todd’s background in agriculture 17:12 – Not To Be Corny 18:14 – Wrapping up Find more: Janzen Shroeder Ag Law: https://www.aglaw.us/todd-janzen 📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone interested in ag tech, farm data, and the future of agriculture. #DigitalAgriculture #PrecisionAg #SmartFarming #FarmManagement #AgInnovation #ILCornTV #SustainableAg #AgPolicy

July 6, 2026Episode 11811 min

Farm Manager Breaks Down Landlord and Farmer Relations

Real decisions in agriculture go well beyond the field. They’re shaped by people, policy, and how farmers adapt as things change. In this episode of IL Corn TV, Shane Gray talks with Andrew Jolly, a fourth-generation Illinois farmer and farm manager at Heartland Bank and Trust. They discuss Andrew's experience in Washington, D.C. through the IL Corn GROW Program, what farm managers look for in farmers, landowner relationships, cash rent and flex leases, and why adaptability and stewardship matter in today's ag economy. Episode Highlights: 0:00 – Introduction to Andrew Jolly 1:03 – How Farm Managers Select Farmers 2:14 – Landowner vs. Farm Manager Decisions 4:15 – Cash Rent, Flex Leases, and Tradeoffs 6:37 – Profitability and Land Stewardship 8:14 – Building Strong Farmer–Land Manager Relationships 9:26 – Cash Rent vs. 50/50 Farming Partnerships 10:41 – Not To Be Corny 11:46 – Final Thoughts Learn more about Heartland Bank and Trust Company: https://www.hbtbank.com/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 Sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org #ILCornTV #ILCornGrowers #FarmManagement #Agriculture #CornFarmers #RuralLeadership

June 29, 2026Episode 11719 min

She Farms in a Dessert and Ships onions to the World

Monica Ognio, a second-generation onion farmer from Peru, educator, and leader with the Global Farmer Network, sits down with IL Corn TV host Shane Gray for an honest conversation about agriculture, community, and what it really takes to farm in challenging conditions. She shares how she stepped into her family's operation, why she got involved in global farmer advocacy, and what farmers in Peru are dealing with right now, from desert water management to shifting export markets. Episode Highlights: 0:00 – Meet Monica Ognio 0:48 – Farming & Education Background 3:29 – Becoming Part of the Global Farmer Network 7:13 – Women in Agriculture 9:59 – Building Strong Teams 11:21 – Farming Challenges in Peru 13:54 – Peru’s Onion Industry 15:17 – Water Management in the Desert 17:49 – Not To Be Corny 19:11 – Closing Thoughts 📍 Learn more about the Global Farmer Network: https://globalfarmernetwork.org 📧 Stay updated on new episodes: https://bit.ly/ilcorntvalerts #AgPodcast #WomenInAg #OnionFarming #PeruFarming #FarmLeadership #ILCornTV#SustainableFarming #AgVoices

June 22, 2026Episode 11616 min

Why E15 Is Safe for Modern Engines

Explore the facts behind ethanol, E15, and the future of higher-octane fuels in America. Automotive engineer and ethanol researcher Brian West joins host Shane Gray to break down some of the biggest myths surrounding ethanol blends, fuel efficiency, engine performance, and consumer concerns around E15. Drawing from more than 30 years of research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Brian explains why ethanol continues to play an important role in modern engines, fuel affordability, and American energy independence. Inside This Episode 0:00 – Introduction to Brian West 1:35 – Common myths about ethanol 4:12 – Why ethanol boosts octane 6:48 – The growing support behind E15 9:14 – Does E15 really harm engines? 12:26 – Fuel economy and ethanol performance 15:42 – Which vehicles can use E15 safely? 17:36 – Why fuel pump labels confuse drivers 20:08 – Understanding E20 and E30 blends 23:41 – Expanding E15 infrastructure across the U.S. 26:18 – Why ethanol matters for consumers and farmers 28:02 – Not To Be Corny 📍 Learn more about IL Corn https://www.ilcorn.org/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air via text: https://mailchi.mp/ilcorn/sms-signup 📩 For inquiries about IL Corn TV sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone interested in ethanol, engines, and the future of American fuel. #ILCornTV #E15 #Unleaded88 #HigherOctane #RenewableFuel #FuelEfficiency #EnginePerformance #Biofuels

June 15, 2026Episode 11517 min

How Corn Exports Impact Illinois Farm Profits

What does it take to connect Illinois corn farmers to global markets, and why does trade policy matter more than most people realize? In this episode of IL Corn TV, host Shane Gray sits down with Andrew Brandt, Director of Trade Policy for the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council, to break down how global trade decisions directly impact U.S. corn demand, farm profitability, and the long-term future of agriculture. Key Takeaways: 0:00 – Introduction 0:55 – What the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council Does 2:10 - How Trade Policy Impacts Illinois Corn Farmers 3:35 - Why Export Markets Matter for U.S. Corn Demand 5:20 - Key Growth Regions: Southeast Asia, India, and Africa 6:45 - China’s Evolving Role in Global Corn Trade 8:10 - The Rise of Ethanol Exports and Biofuel Demand 9:40 - SAF vs. Marine Fuel and the Future of Ethanol Use 11:05 - Bunker Fuel and Cleaner Shipping Alternatives 12:30 - Global Competition and Brazil’s Expanding Production 14:10 - The Value of Checkoff-Funded Market Development 16:00 - Building Long-Term Global Trade Relationships 17:30 - Why Market Development Takes Years to Pay Off 19:10 - Not To Be Corny 📍 Learn more about IL Corn TV: https://www.ilcorn.org/ 📧 Get notified when new episodes air: https://bit.ly/ilcorntvalerts 📩 For sponsorships or collaborations: marketing@ilcorn.org 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone interested in the future of agriculture. #ILCornTV #AgPolicy #TradePolicy #CornExports #Ethanol #Biofuels #GlobalAgriculture #FarmEconomy #USGBC