The NCERC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville presented two exhibits at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur Tuesday-Thursday, Aug. 27-29.
In the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) tent, NCERC showcased renewable products made from corn to exemplify new uses in order to increase demand for the U.S. grown feedstock. Meanwhile, in another tent hosted by SIU Carbondale, NCERC highlighted its collaborative aquaculture project in partnership with the Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences at SIUC.
NCERC staff attended an Ag Policy Forum on Wednesday hosted by Illinois Congressmen Rodney Davis (IL-13), Mike Bost (IL-12), John Shimkus (IL-15) and Darin LaHood (IL-18). U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was the featured speaker, and answered a number of audience questions about the current state and potential future of agriculture.
Forum topics included renewing the biodiesel tax credit, this year’s growing season and weather conditions, farmers’ mental health awareness, the opioid crisis, tariffs and trade deals, African swine fever, crop insurance, small refinery exemptions, rural broadband and more. Representatives from organizations such as Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers, ICGA, Illinois Soy Association, Illinois Beef Association and ethanol producers were in attendance.
The Farm Progress Show is the nation’s largest outdoor farm event, hosting more than 600 exhibitors displaying new farm equipment, tractors, combines and other farm implements, seed and crop protection products, new technologies, and more.