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Best of RFD

150 episodes listed below

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Illinois agriculture, week by working week.

The gist

Best of RFD is a weekly collection of agriculture reporting from the RFD radio network, centered on farmers and rural Illinois. Its conversations move from legislation and ethanol policy to auctions, crop insurance, soil practices, health, and tributes.

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About Best of RFD

Best of RFD is a weekly farm-radio recap built around Illinois agriculture. It pulls together conversations, interviews, and reported moments from RFD radio programming. The format is straightforward. A segment begins with a local hook, then lets a farmer, official, advocate, or community figure explain what is happening and why it matters. Much of the show is rooted in policy. Recent episodes have followed wetlands legislation, year-round E15, crop insurance deadlines, Farm Bill movement, trade talk, diesel emissions policy, and programs affecting farmers through FSA and other agencies. The show does not treat those issues as abstractions. It keeps returning to demand for corn, fuel costs, paperwork, field decisions, equipment expense, and the pressure farmers feel when the economy tightens. There is practical production talk, too. Conversations about non-GMO seed, no-till systems, cover crops, livestock nutrient cycling, herbicide rates, fertilizer prices, and planter decisions sit beside market and policy coverage. The scope is wider than crops. Best of RFD also makes room for rural life, including live equipment auctions, youth fishing, student ag marketing competitions, sun exposure and skin cancer prevention, and tributes to figures such as Orion Samuelson. Its strongest moments sound like informed neighbors comparing notes after a long week. The pace is measured. The questions are direct, and the answers often run long enough to preserve useful detail. That gives the show a civic quality as much as a market-news one. It is built for people who care about what happens in Springfield, Washington, county sale barns, dealership lots, and fields across Illinois. Best of RFD stands out because it keeps agriculture news attached to real people and real consequences.

Made for: Best of RFD is for farmers, rural Illinois listeners, agribusiness professionals, and anyone tracking how policy, markets, and community events affect agriculture on the ground.

What sets it apart: The show combines state-level farm reporting with local voices and practical consequences, moving easily from legislation and agency programs to auctions, conservation practices, health, and remembrance.

In their own words

As another busy week in Illinois agriculture wraps up, join RFD Radio hosts Rita Frazer, DeLoss Jahnke and Jim Taylor as they reflect on the industry’s biggest stories of the week.

Why you'd press play

Wetlands bills meet ice fishing here, so your rural-news appetite never gets stuck behind a desk.

Press play if you want

  • a grounded read on how Illinois farm policy lands beyond the Capitol
  • farmers explaining cover crops, costs, and why 'we've always done it' is not a business plan
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Illinois farm policyFarm Bureau advocacyyear-round E15crop insurance deadlinescover crops and no-tillfarm input costsequipment auctionsrural community tributes

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Business & FinanceAgriculture

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Episodes

  1. 1

    Best of RFD August 24, 2024

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  2. 2

    Best of RFD August 16, 2025

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  3. 3

    Best of RFD August 09, 2025

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  4. 4

    Best of RFD August 02, 2025

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  5. 5

    Best of RFD July 26, 2025

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  6. 6

    Best of RFD July 21, 2025

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  7. 7

    Best of RFD July 19 2025

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  8. 8

    Best of RFD July 12, 2025

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  9. 9

    Best of RFD July 5, 2025

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  10. 10

    Best of RFD June 28, 2025

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  11. 11

    Best of RFD June 21, 2025

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  12. 12

    Best of RFD June 14, 2025

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  13. 13

    Best of RFD June 7, 2025

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  14. 14

    Best of RFD September 28, 2024

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  15. 15

    Best of RFD September 21, 2024

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  16. 16

    Best of RFD September 14, 2024

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  17. 17

    Best of RFD September 7, 2024

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  18. 18

    Best of RFD February 21, 2026

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  19. 19

    Best of RFD February 14, 2026

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  20. 20

    Best of RFD February 07, 2026

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  21. 21

    Best of RFD January 31, 2026

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  22. 22

    Best of RFD January 24, 2026

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  23. 23

    Best of RFD January 17, 2026

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  24. 24

    Best of RFD January 10, 2026

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  25. 25

    Best of RFD January 03, 2026

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  26. 26

    Best of RFD December 27, 2025

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  27. 27

    Best of RFD December 20, 2025

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  28. 28

    Best of RFD December 13, 2025

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  29. 29

    Best of RFD April 11, 2026

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  30. 30

    Best of RFD March 21, 2026

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  31. 31

    Best of RFD March 14, 2026

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  32. 32

    Best of RFD March 07, 2026

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  33. 33

    Best of RFD February 28, 2026

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  34. 34

    Best of RFD December 06, 2025

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  35. 35

    Best of RFD November 29, 2025

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  36. 36

    Best of RFD August 31, 2024

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  37. 37

    Best of RFD August 23, 2025

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  38. 38

    Best of RFD November 22, 2025

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  39. 39

    Best of RFD August 17, 2024

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  40. 40

    Best of RFD August 10, 2024

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  41. 41

    Best of RFD November 15, 2025

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  42. 42

    Best of RFD November 08, 2025

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  43. 43

    Best of RFD November 8, 2025

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  44. 44

    Best of RFD November 1, 2025

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  45. 45

    Best of RFD May 31, 2025

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  46. 46

    Best of RFD May 24, 2025

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  47. 47

    Best of RFD May 10, 2025

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  48. 48

    Best of RFD May 3, 2025

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  49. 49

    RFD Best of April 26, 2025

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  50. 50

    Best of RFD April 19, 2025

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  51. 51

    Best of RFD April 12, 2025

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  52. 52

    Best of RFD April 5, 2025

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  53. 53

    Best of RFD March 29, 2025

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  54. 54

    Best of RFD March 15, 2025

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  55. 55

    Best of RFD March 8, 2025

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  56. 56

    Best of RFD March 1, 2025

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  57. 57

    Best of RFD February 22, 2025

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  58. 58

    Best of RFD February 15, 2025

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  59. 59

    Best of RFD February 8, 2025

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  60. 60

    Best of RFD January 31, 2025

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  61. 61

    Best of RFD January 25, 2025

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  62. 62

    Best of RFD January 11, 2025

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  63. 63

    Best of RFD January 4, 2025

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  64. 64

    Best of RFD December 28, 2024

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  65. 65

    Best of RFD December 21, 2024

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  66. 66

    RFD Today October 28, 2025

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  67. 67

    Best of RFD October 25, 2025

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  68. 68

    Best of RFD October 25, 2025

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  69. 69

    Best of RFD October 18, 2025

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  70. 70

    Best of RFD October 18, 2025

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  71. 71

    Best of RFD October 11, 2025

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  72. 72

    Best of RFD October 04, 2025

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  73. 73

    Best of RFD September 27, 2025

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  74. 74

    Best of RFD September 20, 2025

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  75. 75

    Best of RFD September 13, 2025

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  76. 76

    Best of RFD September 06, 2025

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  77. 77

    Best of RFD August 30, 2025

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  78. 78

    Best of RFD December 7, 2024

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  79. 79

    Best of RFD November 30, 2024

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  80. 80

    Best of RFD November 23, 2024

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  81. 81

    Best of RFD November 16, 2024

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  82. 82

    Best of RFD November 9, 2024

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  83. 83

    Best of RFD October 25, 2024

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  84. 84

    Best of RFD October 19, 2024

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  85. 85

    Best of RFD October 12, 2024

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  86. 86

    Best of RFD October 5, 2024

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  87. 87

    Best of RFD August 3, 2024

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  88. 88

    Best Of RFD July 27, 2024

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  89. 89

    Best of RFD July 20, 2024

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  90. 90

    Best of RFD July 6, 2024

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  91. 91

    Best of RFD June 29, 2024

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  92. 92

    Best of RFD June 22, 2024

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  93. 93

    Best of RFD June 15, 2024

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  94. 94

    Best of RFD June 1, 2024

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  95. 95

    Best of RFD May 25, 2024

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  96. 96

    Best of RFD July 13, 2024

    Hidden gem

    Best of RFD July 13, 2024 moves from Morgan County Fair coverage in Jacksonville to a Mercer County Farm Bureau remembrance and an Evergreen FS AI patent interview.

    ·30m·2 clips
  97. 97

    Best of RFD June 8, 2024

    This episode of 'Best of RFD' compiles key agriculture stories from Illinois for the week.

    ·30m·2 clips
  98. 98

    Best of RFD April 04, 2026

    A recap of the week's agriculture news on RFD radio, featuring a firsthand account of a White House event with the president and agricultural leaders.

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  99. 99

    Best of RFD March 22, 2025

    A compilation of the best interviews and news stories from the RFD radio network covering agriculture news affecting farmers and rural Illinois, including a feature on a movie about a farmer's daughter.

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  100. 100

    Best of RFD March 28, 2026

    A recap of the week's agriculture news and a conversation with auctioneer Hayden Geisler about a special estate auction.

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  101. 101

    Best of RFD April 18, 2026

    Hidden gem

    House Bill 3596 leads the show, with Kevin Simlow explaining why Illinois Farm Bureau wants farmers calling state legislators about statewide wetlands rules.

    Apr 18, 2026·30m·2 clips
  102. 102

    Best of RFD April 11, 2026

    Hidden gem

    Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello argues that year-round E15 could add demand for about 1.5 billion bushels of corn and 4.5 billion gallons of ethanol, while also saying E15 is 10 to 40 cents cheaper than gasoline.

    Apr 11, 2026·30m·2 clips
  103. 103

    Best of RFD April 04, 2026

    Illinois Farm Bureau President Phillip Nelson discusses his experience at a White House celebration of agriculture, highlighting the President's support for trade deals and E15 year-round.

    Apr 4, 2026·30m
  104. 104

    Best of RFD March 28, 2026

    A recap of the week's agriculture news and a special auction of a father-in-law's equipment estate.

    Mar 28, 2026·30m
  105. 105

    Best of RFD March 21, 2026

    A tribute to Orion Samuelson, the father of farm broadcasting, through a conversation with Illinois Farm Bureau President Phillip Nelson about his impact.

    Mar 21, 2026·30m
  106. 106

    Best of RFD March 14, 2026

    Hidden gem

    Best of RFD features Mark Gebhardt receiving the Prairie Farmer Master Farmer Award in Bloomington, where he calls the honor “Illinois Agriculture’s Hall of Fame” and reflects on a career that included the national soybean checkoff, Illinois Pork Producers, and Farm Bureau policy work.

    Mar 14, 2026·30m·1 clip
  107. 107

    Best of RFD March 07, 2026

    Hidden gem

    Best of RFD March 07, 2026 moves between Illinois ag policy and a country-music milestone, with Phillip Nelson discussing the Farm Bill, E15, Proposition 12, and low Mississippi River levels.

    Mar 7, 2026·30m·2 clips
  108. 108

    Best of RFD February 28, 2026

    Feb 28, 2026·30m
  109. 109

    Best of RFD February 21, 2026

    Feb 21, 2026·30m
  110. 110

    Best of RFD February 14, 2026

    Feb 14, 2026·30m
  111. 111

    Best of RFD February 07, 2026

    Feb 7, 2026·30m
  112. 112

    Best of RFD January 31, 2026

    Jan 31, 2026·30m
  113. 113

    Best of RFD January 24, 2026

    Jan 24, 2026·30m
  114. 114

    Best of RFD January 17, 2026

    Jan 17, 2026·30m
  115. 115

    Best of RFD January 10, 2026

    Jan 10, 2026·30m
  116. 116

    Best of RFD January 03, 2026

    Jan 3, 2026·30m
  117. 117

    Best of RFD December 27, 2025

    Dec 27, 2025·30m
  118. 118

    Best of RFD December 20, 2025

    Dec 20, 2025·30m
  119. 119

    Best of RFD December 13, 2025

    Dec 13, 2025·30m
  120. 120

    Best of RFD December 06, 2025

    Dec 6, 2025·30m
  121. 121

    Best of RFD November 29, 2025

    Nov 29, 2025·30m
  122. 122

    Best of RFD November 22, 2025

    Nov 22, 2025·30m
  123. 123

    Best of RFD November 15, 2025

    Nov 18, 2025·30m
  124. 124

    Best of RFD November 8, 2025

    Nov 8, 2025·30m
  125. 125

    Best of RFD November 08, 2025

    Nov 8, 2025·30m
  126. 126

    Best of RFD November 1, 2025

    Nov 1, 2025·30m
  127. 127

    RFD Today October 28, 2025

    Oct 28, 2025·53m
  128. 128

    Best of RFD October 25, 2025

    Oct 25, 2025·30m
  129. 129

    Best of RFD October 25, 2025

    Oct 24, 2025·30m
  130. 130

    Best of RFD October 18, 2025

    Oct 22, 2025·30m
  131. 131

    Best of RFD October 18, 2025

    Oct 18, 2025·30m
  132. 132

    Best of RFD October 11, 2025

    Oct 11, 2025·30m
  133. 133

    Best of RFD October 04, 2025

    Oct 4, 2025·30m
  134. 134

    Best of RFD September 27, 2025

    Sep 27, 2025·30m
  135. 135

    Best of RFD September 20, 2025

    Sep 20, 2025·30m
  136. 136

    Best of RFD September 13, 2025

    Sep 13, 2025·30m
  137. 137

    Best of RFD September 06, 2025

    Sep 6, 2025·30m
  138. 138

    Best of RFD August 30, 2025

    Aug 30, 2025·30m
  139. 139

    Best of RFD August 23, 2025

    Aug 23, 2025·30m
  140. 140

    Best of RFD August 16, 2025

    Aug 16, 2025·30m
  141. 141

    Best of RFD August 09, 2025

    Aug 9, 2025·30m
  142. 142

    Best of RFD August 02, 2025

    Aug 2, 2025·30m
  143. 143

    Best of RFD July 26, 2025

    Jul 26, 2025·30m
  144. 144

    Best of RFD July 21, 2025

    Jul 21, 2025·30m
  145. 145

    Best of RFD July 19 2025

    Jul 19, 2025·30m
  146. 146

    Best of RFD July 12, 2025

    Jul 12, 2025·30m
  147. 147

    Best of RFD July 5, 2025

    Jul 5, 2025·30m
  148. 148

    Best of RFD June 28, 2025

    Jun 28, 2025·30m
  149. 149

    Best of RFD June 21, 2025

    Jun 21, 2025·30m
  150. 150

    Best of RFD June 14, 2025

    Jun 14, 2025·30m