Russian Ag Import Ban Won't Hurt Illinois Farmers

(Springfield, IL) -- Illinois farmers shouldn't feel much of a squeeze from a Russia ban on all American agricultural products. Department of Ag spokesman Jeff Squibb says Russian exports account for less than one-percent of all of the state's trades. Illinois sold 33-million-dollars-worth of products to Russia last year. According to the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois sends out some corn and soybeans to Russia but the exports are typically low because Russia doesn't accept certain GMO varieties of U.S. corn.