After a great day of learning about key issues in the swine industry during the 2011 Swine Health Seminar sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim (BIVI), the attendees headed out to have a little fun. Nearly 300 people descended on the Phoenician Resort in Phoenix, AZ at sundown for a spectacular sunrise, amazing food and great entertainment. BIVI brought in some native …
A Record-Setting Commodity Classic
The 2011 Commodity Classic is one for the record books. Attendance at the annual meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers shattered previous records. Total attendance was more than 4826, breaking the previous record at Nashville three years ago by almost 300. Total number of growers was over 1600, compared to the previous record of 1513 in 2009 in …
NAFB Executive Director Resigns
It was almost exactly a year ago that former NAFB president Mark Vail was introduced to the agricultural industry at the 2010 Commodity Classic as the new executive director of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Today, it was officially announced that the board has accepted his resignation. The following statement was sent to the membership by NAFB president Lindsay …
BRIC – Emerging Markets for Pork
Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) decided to mix it up a bit this year during their 2011 Swine Health Seminar held in Phoenix, Arizona this past week and one of the focal points was emerging markets for pork producers. The BI team brought Nick Giordano, Vice President and Council, International Affairs for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) to give the nearly …
BIVI Discusses Top Trends in Swine Industry
Just a few days ago, Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) hosted its 2011 Swine Health Seminar in Phoenix. Before the first session began, I had a chance to speak with Tyler Holck, Director of Swine Technical Services. to learn about some of the trends that are happening in the swine industry. “The industry continues to consolidate. So with all the different issues …
House Ag Chair at Commodity Classic
The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee discussed government over-regulation and prospects for the 2012 Farm Bill during the general session at Commodity Classic 2011. U.S. Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK) first expressed concern about the over reach of government agencies, especially the EPA. “The Environmental Protection Agency’s assault on production agriculture must stop,” he said, noting that his committee is …
Get Energized With GROWMARK
Here’s the latest installment of our “Getting To Know GROWMARK” series. Today we’ll talk energy because the company is a provider of a full range of energy products and services that includes a complete line of quality lubricants, fuel and fuel additives, and dependable heating and drying with GROWMARK propane. They also offer risk management services. To tell us about …
John Deere Introduces FarmSight
John Deere introduced a new “integrated suite of solutions” at the 2011 Commodity Classic, called John Deere FarmSight. The comprehensive program is designed to meet farm and business needs for today and the future, according to FarmSight director Jerry Roell. “The John Deere FarmSight global suite of solutions uses integrated, wireless technology that links the equipment, owners, dealers, and agricultural …
I Am Angus
Our latest I Am Angus segment shares the story of W.A. McHenry, a civil war veteran, Iowa pioneer and master cattle breeder, who raised Earl Marshall, perhaps the greatest beef bull ever. For more information, visit www.angus.org.
Till We Meet Again
One of my goals living on the farm is to have a garden. I started one in Kansas City, but then we moved away. But this summer, I’m going to make a concerted effort to keep a family tradition going. We have these Syrian cucumbers that look like pinwheels when you cut them and never get bitter, no matter how …