VC Agriculture Facts

Who holds the county seat?

Danville

When was Vermillion County established?

1826

What is Vermillion County named after?

The Vermillion River

What percentage of VC is farmland?

77%

How many farms does Vermillion County have

1,009

How many acres of farm ground does VC have?

445,066

What are the main crops VC produces?

Soybean, corn, wheat, and hay. We rank in the top 10 counties for soybean and top 15 for corn in Illinois.

What makes agriculture in VC so special?

Fertile soil and family values

What is corn used for?

Corn is used for livestock feed, ethanol fuel, corn syrup, and other food products

What are soybeans used for?

soybean oil, animal feed, biodiesel, and food ingredients

What is no-till farming?

No-till farming is a conservation method that allows farmers to plant crops without turning over the soil. It reduces erosion, conserves moisture, and improves soil health.

What is beef cattle used for?

raised for meat production

What is each age of a cow called?

Cow=adult female, bull=adult male, steer=castrated (removal of parts) male, calf=baby cow

dairy cattle

raised for milk production

What are popular dairy cow breeds?

Holstein, jersey, brown Swiss

what are the Swine terms

sow=female pig, boar=male pig, piglet=baby pig

What are sheep raised for?

wool, meat, and showmanship

Which types of goats are at county fairs?

meat goats and dairy goats

What different birds are considered poultry?

chicken, duck, turkey

What is 4-H?

An organization that focuses on leadership, agriculture, livestock, public speaking, and service.

What are the 4 H’s?

Head, Heart, Hands, Health

What is the 4-H motto?

“To Make the Best Better.”

What is FFA?

FFA stands for Future Farmers of America and agricultural leadership, career development, public speaking, livestock judging, and ag education

What is the FFA motto?

“Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”

What are the FFA colors?

National Blue and Corn Yellow

What does a tractor do?

Provides power to pull and operate equipment

What are the main tractor brands?

John Deere, Case IH, and New Holland

What is a combine harvester?

A combine harvester is a machine used to harvest grain crops. It cuts the crop, separates grain, and removes chaff (inedible wheat casing)

Why is it called a combine?

Called a “combine” because it combines multiple harvesting jobs in one machine

What is a planter?

Attachment that plants seed in evenly spaced rows

What is a sprayer?

Applies products that ultimately help crops grow

What does an herbicide do?

targets weeds and other harmful plants in the field

What does a pesticide do?

Prevents, repels, and destroys unwanted pests in the fields that could be harmful to the crops.

What does fertilizer do?

replenishes the soil’s nutrients

What does tillage equipment do?

Used to prepare the soil

What are examples of tillage equipment?

Plow, disk, and field cultivator

What does a grain bin do?

Stores harvested grain

What does a baler do?

Compresses hay into bales

Which two types of hay bales are there?

Round and square hay bales

Bushel

measurement used for grain

yield

amount harvested per acre

acre

unit of land measurement (43,560 sq ft in an acre)

GMO

genetically modified organism (soybean oil)

ethanol

field made from cornoc

conservation

protecting soil and water

commodity

raw agricultural product

sustainability

framing that protects future resources

What technology do farmers use today?

GPS, drones, precision agriculture, data technology

What does the VC fair emphasize?

livestock shows, agriculture education, family entertainment, 4-H and FFA involvement

Why is agriculture important?

Most importantly, it provides so many of our basic and daily necessities. Gas, clothing, and food would not be here without agriculture and the employees that work day in and day out to provide for the families of VC. Agriculture also brings people together and honors family values.

What role does a fair queen play in agriculture?

As fair queen, I believe it is important to be an ambassador of agriculture for your community and always have an open mind that is willing to learn.

When is planting season?

Mid-april to early June

When is harvest?

early September running into October

What role do you play in agriculture?

Although I didn’t grow up directly involved in agriculture, I’ve come to understand how important it is to our communities, economy, and daily lives. My role is being someone who values and supports the people who make agriculture possible, while continuing to be excited to learn about it and taking responsibility to learn about it since it is such a huge part of my community.