How many times have we heard of the need for a “unified voice for U.S. agriculture?” I lost count a long time ago. Now there is an effort underway to accomplish this much needed goal. Two days ago the legal papers were completed to form the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). To learn the who/what/why I spoke with Rick …
Novus Support World Food Prize
Being in Des Moines this week was a great opportunity to see a lot of friends and clients. AgWired sponsor, Novus International, was on display for the World Food Prize activities. In fact, Novus is a big supporter. Pictured are Thad Simons (left), President/CEO and Jill Mahoney, Public Relations. Thad says the Novus vision to feed the world ties right …
Borlaug CAST Communications Award Presentation
While I was in Des Moines this week I attended the press conference for the CropLife Foundation/CAST 2010 Borlaug CAST Communications Award. This award was announced and presented in September at the CropLife America annual meeting but a presentation was made this week in Des Moines for the press. I recorded the presentation, including introductions and questions and answers. There …
Interview with Kip Cullers
Soybean superstar Kip Cullers was in big demand by the media on Tuesday in the thriving metropolis of Stark City, Missouri when the governor honored him for once again breaking the soybean yield record on his contest plot with 160.6 bushels per acre. I waited until everyone had their turn before doing my interview with Kip, and enlisting the help …
Gabriela Cruz Presented Kleckner Trade & Technology Advancement Award
During the annual TATT Global Farmer to Farmer Roundtable our participant from Portugal received a prestigious award. Gabriela Cruz received the Kleckner Trade and Technology Advancement Award. I spoke with her about her award and participation in the roundtable and you can listen to our conversation below. Gabriela Cruz is passionate about many things: the family farm that she and …
Simultaneous Livestock and Ethanol Production
One of the places visited by the TATT Global Farmer to Farmer Roundtable was Couser Cattle Company. Our host was Bill Couser. Bill conducted a fascinating presentation about his marriage of row crop farming (corn/soybeans), livestock production and ethanol production! You can see a portion of his explanation in the video below. He used a long table to display all …
Kip Cullers Beats His Soybean Yield Record – Again
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon traveled down to the southwest corner of the state to congratulate world champion soybean producer Kip Cullers who broke his previous record yet again with 160.6 bushels per acre on his 2010 test fields. “Agriculture is the backbone of Missouri’s economy, and growers like Kip Cullers are the reason why,” said Governor Nixon. “Missouri farmers feed, …
American Corn Grower On TATT Farmer Roundtable
One of our TATT Global Farmer to Farmer Roundtable participants is Pam Johnson, Iowa farmer. Pam is a board member of the National Corn Growers Association. She is not only participating in the roundtable discussions but was also on the panel of this morning’s Biodiversity World Tour town hall mtg. I spoke with Pam before the afternoon roundtable session got …
Opening Biodiversity World Tour
U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was an opening speaker at the Biodiversity World Tour stop on the campus of Iowa State University. It is being webcast live right now and I believe a recorded version will be available later. If you’d like to hear the Secretary’s comments I have them posted below. The theme of the town hall …
Learning About Global Farmer Challenges
World Food Prize week is underway in Des Moines, IA. There are a lot of meeting, town halls, roundtables, symposiums, ceremonies taking place, some simultaneously. I’m going to be focusing on the Truth About Trade and Technology Global Farmer To Farmer Roundtable. So to kick things off I spoke with TATT Chairman, Dean Kleckner. He says that there are 16 …