Brian Duncan

In legal documents obtained by WGLT, Country Mutual Insurance Company [the legal name of Country Financial] alleges the American Farm Bureau Federation has "openly engaged in an unlawful conspiracy to violate Illinois law through anticompetitive conduct, contractual breaches, intentionally tortious conduct and unfair and deceptive trade practices."

In an unprecedented move, former Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan has declined to resign from his seat as chair of the Country Mutual Insurance board. A legal dispute involving Country's Farm Bureau ties helped lead to Duncan's ouster.

New Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson said one reason he unseated previous organization head Brian Duncan was a legal dispute with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Illinois Farm Bureau delegates have rejected a new term for Illinois Farm Bureau [IFB] President Brian Duncan. At the IFB annual meeting in Chicago, nearly 57% of the delegates chose Philip Nelson of Seneca, a former IFB president and state agriculture director, as the organization’s 17th president.

The head of the Illinois Farm Bureau is urging the federal government to walk back tariffs that could damage the agriculture sector.

The ag sector is showing signs of relief, following the pause on U.S. tariffs ordered by President Donald Trump against Canada and Mexico — though other indicators cause concern.

Illinois farmers have cheered President Donald Trump for his moves on regulatory relief, the federal tax overhaul, and his appointment of Sonny Perdue as…