WHOW / WTIM / IllinoisFarmRadio.com hosted a 2018 Market Outlook Meeting Wednesday night in Clinton.  Featured on the panel (left to right) were: Todd Hubbs, U of I Ag Economist; Chip Nelliger, Blue Reef Trading; and Curt Kimmel, Bates Commodities.  The event was emceed by Todd Gleason of WILL-AM.

Hear the full event here:

Karen Neff, past-chair of on Farm Credit Illinois’ Board of Directors, was named the 2017 Illinois Cooperative Council’s Outstanding Cooperative Director.

Neff and her husband own and operate a grain and livestock operation in St. Clair County. As a member of the FCI Board of Directors for more than 10 years, Neff has demonstrated a deep passion for cooperation in agriculture. She served as the vice-chair for two years before becoming FCI’s first female board chair in 2013 and served in that role for four years.

“Karen believes in FCI’s cooperative mission and core purpose of Helping Farm Families Succeed and advocates from the boardroom for innovative ways for the Association to deliver value to members,” says Beth Bolger, FCI Marketplace Initiatives Manager and 2017 Illinois Cooperative Council Chair. “The Council commends and congratulates Karen for her leadership and service to FCI member-owners.”

Farm Credit Illinois released the cooperative’s audited financial results for the 2017 fiscal year, which were highlighted by strong credit quality, increased net income, and stable loan growth.

• Credit quality strong: Acceptable credit quality remained strong at 97.50 percent for all loans owned and managed by the Association.
• Net earnings growth: Increased patronage from the Association’s funding bank, AgriBank, and moderate increases in loan balances, net earnings increased 5.30 percent from $69.6 million in year-end 2016 to $73.3 million for the year ending Dec. 31, 2017.
• Steady loan volume: The loan volume owned and managed by the Association grew 2.20 percent from 2016 despite current farm economic conditions.

“Farm Credit Illinois stayed committed to its mission of lending support to farm families, rural communities, and agribusinesses through both the prosperous and challenging economic cycles,” says Tom Tracy, President & CEO of Farm Credit Illinois. “Another year of strong credit quality and earnings at FCI is a direct reflection on the overall sound management skills of our cooperative members.”