Carroll County Farm Bureau

Harvest Season Permits. What can I say other than it is confusing!! I have heard rumor that some have bought "harvest season permits". Well here is what I can tell you about them. Call me if you need more info! Carroll County is offering permits. The permit is called the Agricultural Commodities Permit Axle Overweight. The permits offer excess weights on axles only. They do not afford any additional gross weight nor do they allow you to exceed the registered weight (license plate.)

Often, carriers assume the permit allows an increase in the gross weight limit, which it does not. Also, look at the other restrictions imposed by the harvest season permit such as a 40-day limit, daytime only, 50-mile limit, etc. For those with semis, 5-axle semis operating under this permit may exceed axle weights by not more than 10%. I do know there are some roads in the county, you will not be able to go on with the permit. The Carroll County Highway Dept has a list of those roads. I do have a copy of the permit and some more info from IFB.

As we approach flu season, I continue to hear all across the board, people calling the H1N1 virus, "swine flu". Hundreds of farm families in Illinois are struggling financial consequences every time the H1N1 virus is referred to in a news report as "swine flu".

Well here are some facts: The flu is not transmitted by handling or eating pork. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza is a respiratory disease; it is not found in meat (Source: The Food and Organization of the U.N.). In a misguided move not based on science, major buyers like China and Russia have banned imports of U.S. pork over report of the "swine flu". The hog industry in the U.S. is losing $2.5 million per day as a result of the impact on bans and because of decreased pork consumption in the U.S. (Source: National Pork Producers Council).

While our legislators are in Veto Session, there is a House Joint Resolution being proposed to address the terminology utilized by State agencies when referring to the H1N1 influenza. The resolution urges all State agencies, their representatives, and all private media outlets to cease using the term "Swine Flu" and further urges them to use the term "2009 H1N1 Influenza" in its place. Now for those of you, and I know you are out there (as I have had to set a brother-in-law of mine who is not from the area straight!), who were scared to eat pork because you were afraid you would catch it, would you have given up your coffee, Pepsi, or wine if it were the "coffee flu", the "Pepsi flu" or the "wine flu"? One of these days I will write about all the misconceptions I have heard my sister had to set him straight on! Yes, he has never lived in a rural area.

If you have not yet received your Holiday Fruit, Nut, and Fruit Basket order forms in the mail, give us a call or print them off of our website at www.carrollcfb.org. Orders will be due to our office on Monday, November 23. Temporary pick up day is December 15. These last few years it seems that the weather has not been in our favor when fruit has been delivered. Let's hope that is not the case this year!

Farm Bureau Classifieds

Carroll County Farm Bureau members can place up to two (2) free classified ads per week, with a limit of 250 characters per ad (not including spaces). Ads are limited to personal or farm items for sale/wanted to buy, or farm labor or services available or wanted. No ads for the sale or rental of real estate, garage sales, or commercial businesses will be accepted. To place an ad, call the Farm Bureau office at (815) 244-3001 by noon Friday to get your ad in the following week's paper.

FS: 4 tires, aluminum rims, size 32X11.5X15, 5 hole, fits Ford $200 obo, 815-499-1279

FS: Pecan colored dining room table and 6 chairs, 2 leaves, $50 obo 815-632-9702

FS: New stationary bike $20, 815-238-2158

FS: 2001 Olds Aurora, 1 owner, exc. Cond, 87K miles, leather, loaded, asking $6000 obo, 815-493-6348

FS: 1973 Smokercraft boat and trailer. 16 ft deep hull, $800. 815-684-5419.

FS: Black entertainment center, like new. Matching 6 shelf book case. $80 for pair. Will split up. 815-684-5419.

FS: Red prom dress, laces up back. Very pretty. $175. 815-684-5419.

Wanted: 6 inch double wall stainless steel pipe and 8 inch stainless T-section for stove pipe. 815-273-7078

FS: 1980 25' Crest Pontoon Boat with 85hp force OBM (trailer not included) needs work on prop and steering. $1,400 obo. 815-499-1537.

FS: Elkay water cooler with 2 water bottles, $25 OBO. 815-541-3458.

FS: 4 Scrambler LT 9.50R, 16.5 LT tires on Chevy, 8 bolt rims like new, $250 obo. 815-541-3458.

FS: Bow Flex Exercise machine in excellent condition.815-493-6604.

WANTED: Gently used Filing cabinets. 815-266-2501.