Illinois publishes machinery costs of operation, while some surrounding states conduct a survey of operators who perform custom work. What's the difference? The Illinois rate is actually what it costs to operate a piece of machinery including depreciation, maintenance, fuel, and labor. Iowa State University, for example conducts a survey, and releases the range and average prices charged for the various operations. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

To view the most recent Illinois calculations go here: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/logan/agnews/i2966_601.html#4

To view rates for the Iowa survey, go here: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/FM1698.pdf

November 14 Dudley Smith Beef Cow-Calf Seminar – Taylorville

November 20 Illinois Commodity Conference – Bloomington

November 27-29 Greater Peoria Farm Show

November 28 Beef Cattle Co-Products Conference – Springfield

December 4 Private Pesticide Training and Testing – Lincoln

December 6 Regional Soil & Water Workshops –Springfield

December 13 Information Technology for Agriculture Conference – Bloomington

December 14 Certified Livestock Manager Training - Bloomington

December 15 IL Performance Tested Bull Sale – Nomination Due

January 3 Illinois Dairy Day – Eureka

January 15 Corn and Soybean Classic – Springfield

January 18 Corn and Soybean Classic – Bloomington

February 5 Illinois Tillage Seminar – Decatur

February 6 Illinois Tillage Seminar – Jacksonville

March 7 Certified Livestock Manager Training - Springfield

Wednesday, November 14 – Christian County

The University of Illinois Dudley Smith Research Initiative will be hosting a seminar at the Christian County Extension Office in Taylorville on Wednesday, November 14. Registration will begin 9:30 a.m. with the program starting at 10:00 a.m.

For additional details on the University of Illinois Dudley Smith research Initiative contact the Christian County Extension Office at (217) 287-7246

Three Opportunities (November 15, December 1 & 15)

Purebred breeders should be identifying bulls they plan to consign to the 2008 Illinois Performance Tested (IPT) Bull Sale during the Winter Beef Expo on Thursday, February 21 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Livestock Center in Springfield. The sale accepts older bulls as well as yearlings–birth date limits are January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007.

Nomination deadline and fees are three tiered with the following dates and costs: November 15, $75; December 1, $100; and December 15, $125. A complete copy of the Rules and Regulations and Nomination Form can be obtained from the IPT Bull Sale Web Site through the Illinois BeefNet at http://www.livestocktrail.uiuc.edu/beefnet/ or by writing Dave Seibert, East Peoria Extension Center, 727 Sabrina Drive, East Peoria, IL 61611 or calling 309-694-7501, Ext 224.

Tuesday, November 20 – Bloomington

The 2007 Illinois Commodity Conference will focus on the outlook and opportunities facing Illinois agriculture. Six commodity organizations including the Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Milk Producers Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Soybean Association and the Illinois Wheat Association will hold a joint Commodity Conference on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at Double Tree Hotel in Bloomington, Illinois. This location is the former Radisson Hotel located on Veterans Parkway on the south side of Bloomington.

Registration brochures will be available from each of the sponsoring organizations. To register for the conference, contact the Illinois Milk Producers Association (IMPA) at ph. (309)-557-2676. Hotel reservations can be made directly with the Double Tree Hotel at (309)-664-6446. The Illinois Commodity Conference brings together agricultural leaders for training and education to assist their organizations in planning for future policy development.

November 27 - 29, Peoria

Don't miss the 26th Greater Peoria Farm Show, November 27 - 29, at the Peoria Civic Center. This year there will be more than 300 companies exhibiting their products and services in more than 700 booths and exhibits. As many as 30,000 people are expected to attend this free event, the largest in-door farm show in Illinois.

The three-day event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. For a complete listing of exhibitors, activities, and features, check out their website www.farmshowsusa.com

Wednesday, November 28 – Springfield

With hay in short supply and high priced grain, beef cattle producers are evaluating their feeding operation and looking at co-products to fill the void for their cow-calf and feeding operations. To answer some of their questions a Beef Cattle Co-Products Conference is set for Wednesday, November 28^th in Springfield, Illinois at the University of Illinois Extension building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The conference will begin with registration at 8:45 a.m. and conclude at 4:45 p.m. Registration for the seminar is $18, which covers the meal along with a bound copy of the proceedings. Late and at door registration will be $25. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday, November 21 and made through the East Peoria Extension Center (309-694-7501, Ext. 224). Producers unable to attend the conference but wanting a copy of the proceedings can secure one for $10 following the conference.

For additional information on the program or to be mailed a copy of the program, contact Dave Seibert, Animal Systems Educator at the East Peoria Extension Center, 727 Sabrina Drive, E. Peoria, Illinois 61611 (309-694-7501, Ext. 224). Questions regarding the conference can also be sent to Dave Seibert at dseibert@uiuc.edu.

Tuesday, December 4 – Lincoln

The Logan County date for Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing will be Tuesday, December 4, 2007. The session will be held at the Logan County Extension Office. Training will begin at 8:30 a.m., and testing should be concluded by 12:30 a.m. Once again, by statewide policy, there will be a $30 fee to attend the training. This is in addition to the license fee required by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. If you are interested in taking the exam only, and not attending the training session, please contact the office for the arrival time and to register separately.

This session will allow training and testing for private applicators only. Successful attendees would be allowed to purchase and apply restricted use products on ground they own or operate. Restricted use products include atrazine and most rootworm insecticides.

Pre-registration is required. Payment may be made at the door. Registration is limited. There should be plenty of room for Logan County residents needing to recertify, as this is the very small year in the testing cycle. If you are unable to attend our session, here is the web address of the entire schedule http://www.pesticidesafety.uiuc.edu/training/training.html .

Thursday, December 6

Sustaining Illinois Soils will be the focus of a Soil and Water Management Workshop to be held on Thursday, December 6, 2007. The workshop is designed to provide relevant information in soil and water management, along with Certified Crop Advisor continuing education units.

The area workshop will be at the Sangamon/Menard Extension Office in Springfield, IL. Presentations will begin at 9 am and will end by 2 pm. Lunch will be provided for registrants.

Presentations will consist of Power Points discussed by both live speakers and through teleconference. Topics presented will include Illinois Soils, Soils and Climate Change, Recycling Dredged Sediment, Phosphorous and Soils, and Soils and Soil Microbes. The workshop will provide 4 continuing education units in soil and water management and 1 hour in Nutrient Management for Certified Crop Advisors

The Registration fee is $30 per person which will include materials and lunch. Please make check payable to "University of Illinois" and mail to Sangamon Extension Unit, PO box 8467, Springfield, IL 62791; ph. 217.782.4617 by November 29^th.

For more information, contact Duane Friend, Soil & Water Workshop Coordinator at ph.

(217)-782-6515 or friend@uiuc.edu

Thursday, December 13

Applications of "hand-held" technologies to farming and other agribusinesses will be the focus of a Dec. 13 conference, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. "it4Ag" will be held at the Interstate Center, 2301 W. Market St., Bloomington.

Registration for the event is $50 and includes conference fee, lunch, and a USB drive with conference materials included. Those who register before Nov. 13 will also receive a portable media player for MP3 and video files.

Those interested in learning more about the event or in pre-registering may do so through McLean County Extension's website (www.mcleanextension.org). Details on registration and/or exhibitor information may also be obtained by contacting Brian Lambert at the McLean County Extension office (309) 663-8306.

Contact Randy Fonner, refonner@uiuc.edu for program details or go to www.livestocktraining.com

December 14, 2007: 8:50 am, McLean Farm Bureau Building, 402 N. Hershey Road, Bloomington, IL. Written exam will be offered at 1:30 pm.

March 7, 2008: 8:50 am, Sangamon/Menard County Extension Office, 2501 N. 8^th Street, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Building 30, Springfield, IL. Written exam will be offered at 1:30 pm.

Thursday, January 3 – Eureka Cerf Center, Eureka College

The central Illinois Dairy Day will be held in the Cerf Center located on the campus of Eureka College. The date of the program is Thursday, January 3^rd from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A list of the speakers and topics include the following:

- Dr. Mike Hutjens – "Building on Milk Protein" and "2008 Feeding Update"

- Dr. Dick Wallace – "Dairy Herd Health Recommendations"

- Dave Fischer – "Dairy Herd Nutrient Management Recommendations"

- Jim Endress – "New Dairy Records Systems from FBFM" and "Dairy Modeling"

In addition, there will be several commercial exhibits with the latest in information and technology. Registration is required to attend and must be made through the Woodford County Extension Office (309-467-3789) by Thursday, December 20. Pre-registration if made by the 22^nd is $10 per person with late and at door registration is $15. A complete copy of the program can be obtained from Dave Seibert 309-694-7501, Ext 224

Registration and program information will be at www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences

January 15, 2008: Crowne Plaza, Springfield, IL

January 18, 2008: Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL

February 6, Hamilton's, Jacksonville, IL

"Tillage, Technology & Environmental Stewardship" is the theme for the 2008 Illinois Regional Tillage Seminar, scheduled for February 6, Hamilton's, Jacksonville, IL. Send registrations to: Morgan Extension, 104 N. Westgate Ave., Jacksonville, IL 62650, ph. (217)-243-7424.

The program will be from 9 – 3. Tillage Seminars will provide ceu's for Certified Crop Advisers, and features an outstanding line-up of state and nationally recognized speakers.

Pre-registration is necessary and the deadline is one week prior to each scheduled meeting. Seating is limited so registration will be taken on a first-come basis. A $15 per person fee will be charged to cover room rental and noon luncheon. To register, include the following information with your check: Name of Meeting-Tillage Seminar, your name, address and county of residence. Please make your check payable to "University of Illinois" and send to the address listed above.

For more information, contact Bob Frazee, U of I Natural Resources Educator, phone (309)-694-7501, Ext. 226 or Alan Gulso, Water Quality Coordinator, Illinois Department of Agriculture, phone, (217)-782-6297.

For all 2008 State & County Fairs and 4-H & FFA Shows

Obtain from IDOA at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid or 1-866-299-9256

Exhibitors of all livestock species, including equine, will be required to have a "Premises Registration Number" for exhibition at all 2008 State & County Fairs, as well as all 4-H & FFA Shows.

The Premises registration numbercorresponds tothe specific locationthat the animals are raised and does not have to be in the exhibitor's name. Premises registration is critical to protecting Illinois' livestock industry as it helps animal health officials minimize trace back times in the event of an animal disease outbreak. We would encourage those who do not already have a Premises number to do so at their earliest convenience. Registration is free andcan be accomplished on line at (www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid) or by calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture at 1-866-299-9256 for a paper form.

February 5-6 Illinois Pork Expo – Peoria

February 6 Dairy Round Table – Pekin

Feb-Mar Sheep Barn Tour hosted by IVL&WG

February 21 Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale – Springfield

February 21-24 Illinois Beef Expo – Springfield

The University of Illinois will not engage in discrimination or harassment

against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age,

marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable

discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all

federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws,

orders and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions,

employment, access to and treatment in the University programs and activities.

If you are a person who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in any of the listed programs or events, contact the event contact at the address, email, or phone number listed.