As Vermilion County farmers close out 2025, the Farm Bureau’s Tom Fricke says it was one of those years that will be remembered as solid, but no new records were set.
AUDIO: I don’t know “pleased” is the right word, but “satisfied” with the crops we had. It was not a “bin buster” that some people thought we might have; but it turned out much better in various areas than what we thought it might be, given the dry conditions we had throughout most of the growing season.
And speaking of “dry;” as for concerns for 2026 and beyond go, the immediate worry is definitely how much new moisture arrives. Because although the recent snowfall was welcome, it was obvious that much more is needed.
AUDIO: We still have a lot of water table to replenish. Top soil moisture, sub soil moisture; are still at low levels. And so we need to keep getting moisture here through the winter. Whether it be rain; or whether it be snow that melts down and soaks into the ground. You’ll notice, as all this snow melted, there’s not a lot of it sitting around. So it’s all soaking in, which is what we need.
For long term concerns, Fricke pointed to the power available on the electric grid. He says let’s hold off on phasing out things like coal generated power by a solid date, until it is known for sure that everyone, especially rural areas, will be taken care of. After all, if Illinois legislates itself out of producing coal power, other states will step up when needed.
AUDIO: We can stop the coal power, but the demand hasn’t changed any. And the renewables that they’re putting in place aren’t going to meet the same demand as coal. We’re still going to be getting coal power here in Illinois, it’s just going to be coming in on the wires from another state.
Fricke says it’s always important to remember how much power the rural community uses; especially when it comes to grain bins and dryers during the harvest season.
