Siemer-STAR Producer Reward Payment Program to Continue in 2026

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Illinois STAR is thrilled to continue a partnership with Siemer Milling Company (SMC)

that has formally recognized and financially rewarded farmers for their outstanding

conservation achievements. In 2025, the Siemer-STAR Producer Reward Payment

Program (PRPP) awarded $75,000 to 10 producers and 61 different fields. Since it began

in 2023, the PRPP has grown in popularity so much that 139 fields spanning over 8,500

acres across Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky were submitted for consideration in 2025.

Due to this high demand, not all eligible growers were able to receive payment last year.

The PRPP is open to farmers who have delivered wheat to SMC within the last five years, but corn and soybean fields are eligible for submission, along with wheat fields. The program identifies eligible fields using the STAR tool, and SMC compensates growers on a per-acre basis. Eligibility requires a field to achieve or maintain a 5 STAR Rating or improve at least one STAR from the previous year’s rating. The chart below illustrates

payment incentives based on ratings.

Out of the 24 farmers who submitted applications in 2025, 16 qualified for payment. However, due to the $75,000 cap, only 10 were able to receive payment. Since this is a first-come, first-serve basis, early enrollment is highly encouraged. If all 84 of the eligible fields were paid, the payments would have added up to $119,793.10

Environmental Outcomes

The Illinois STAR Science Committee has developed an environmental outcomes estimation methodology to calculate the impacts of these conservation practices. This methodology estimates non-point-source nitrogen loss avoided (NPS NO3-N Loss Avoided), total phosphorus loss avoided (NPS TP Loss Avoided), sediment delivery avoided, and carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission reduction. These calculations are based on the use of cover crops, no-till/strip-till, and applying nutrients below MRTN rates. All reported metrics are calculated on a per-practice basis and are meant to provide an estimate of practice-level performance; therefore, such equations are not additive. This methodology relies on county-specific variables and uses nutrient removal efficiencies for the selected practice out of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Therefore, outcomes cannot be calculated for fields in Indiana or Kentucky.

Early Enrollment Encouraged!

Enrollment for this year will begin in June. Since we anticipate the cap to be reached quickly again this year, early enrollment is highly recommended. Please contact your Siemer representative for further enrollment details. Illinois STAR is very happy to be partnering with SMC once again on a program that rewards producers for contributing to their supply chain without requiring much extra work for the farmers involved, as we understand how much they already have on their plates, especially this time of year!