State Of Illinois Department Of Agriculture

The Department collects and issues crop and livestock data; inspects grain, meat, poultry, and livestock; licenses grain dealers and warehouses; grades vegetables, fruits, eggs, and poultry; distributes money to county fairs; analyzes fertilizers; administers a fertilizer research program. Checks scales and meters; inspects slaughterhouses and processing plants; provides eradication and control programs for livestock diseases; enforces seed laws; encourages soil and water conservation; publishes annual soil master and county crop acreage manual. Promotes export of Illinois agricultural products and use of crops for alcohol fuels; operates state fairs in Springfield and DuQuoin.