Understanding Farmer Attitudes

Meghan Grebner

The Seed Leadership Program was held just before the start of the 131st Annual American Seed Trade Association Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.  During today’s Green Flag Session, Brent Gloy, Purdue University professor discussed the key themes from the 2013 Large Commercial Producer survey.  He says they survey helps both farmers and agribusinesses better understand where the commercial farm segment is going. …

Agribusiness, ASTA, data, Farming, Technology

ASTA Annual Meeting Kicks Off

Meghan Grebner

Industry leaders and seed experts are in Indianapolis this week for the 131st American Seed Trade Association’s Annual Meeting. ASTA CEO Andy Lavigne says much of the discussion this week will focus on innovation and technology in the seed industry. The meeting kicks off Thursday morning with Purdue University president Mitch Daniels.  Lavigne says Daniels will focus on innovation and that will set …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Biotech, Seed, Technology

Amazing Maize: The exhibit

Meghan Grebner

After over five years in development the Indiana State Museum opened its Amazing Maize: The Science, History and Culture of Corn Saturday.  The exhibit will run for the next 16 months at the museum located in the heart of Indianapolis.  In those 16 months, Indianapolis will play host to two National FFA Conventions AND the Super Bowl.  Talk about the …

Case IH, Corn

In The Field

Meghan Grebner

The past four years of my life has been dedicated to agriculture in Central Illinois.  Every Tuesday during the planting, growing and harvest seasons we would catch up with agronomist from different parts of WMBD and WIRL’s listening area to see how things were looking as the growing season progressed. I was able to develop a great relationship with area …

Corn, Soybean

Central Illinois Company Gives Back to FFA

Meghan Grebner

We’ve all heard of Red Brand fence, right?  They’re a milestone sponsor of the FFA (in fact they’ve been doing so for over 60 years). Did you know that Red Brand fence is manufactured in Peoria, Ill.?  Keystone Steel and Wire Co began the Home Grown program in 2010.  It gave opportunity for local Red Brand retailers to give back to local FFA …

FFA

One Story of Many

Meghan Grebner

I am supposed to write once a week… I may be a week or two behind – simply because things have been just a little crazy in my neck of the woods.  As you may have seen in Cindy’s post a couple of weeks ago – I have accepted a position at Brownfield Ag News in Indiana.  I will start …

Weather

Importance of Panama Canal Highlighted

Meghan Grebner

With soybean  exports doubling over the last ten years and the continued demand for US soy, the question arises can we handle it?  Now, we know we can physically make that happen.  We plant, grow and harvest more efficiently and effectively than any other country in the world, the concern arises if our ports and infrastructure will last the next …

ASA, Soybean, USB

Washington Watch Wrap Up

Meghan Grebner

This week was the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Washington Watch meeting in our beautiful Nation’s Capitol.  It definitely was an interesting time to be in DC after the events of last weekend. Washington Watch gives NAFB members an opportunity to sit down with folks inside the Beltway and get an update on some of the major issues of concern …

Audio, Trade

A Gentle Reminder

Meghan Grebner

The weather during the month of April has been strange for a lot of the United States and Central Illinois is no exception (my weather man on Friday said this would go down as one of the top ten wettest April’s on record).  While farmers are attempting to patiently wait to either get back in the fields or get into …

GROWMARK, Safety

Investing Back In Agriculture

Meghan Grebner

Illinois and fiscal responsibility aren’t exactly words that go hand in hand but Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is trying to change that.  Earlier this week Rutherford announced his Ag Invest program in conjunction with the Illinois Farm Bureau.  Ag Invest (formerly known as Cultivate Illinois) partners with eligible lenders to offer low-interest loans to Illinois farmers that can be …

Agribusiness