Farm Foundation has issued an update of a report last year on “What’s Driving Food Prices?” and found the same factors affecting commodities. “In July 2008, crude oil prices were at record levels, as were most agricultural commodity prices. Low supplies generated fears of food shortages. The rhetoric of the food-versus-fuel debate rose along with food prices. Today, despite remarkable …
Accelerate Your Beans In 2009
Besides the new Genuity brand, Monsanto was also promoting other brands at Commodity Classic. One such brand is Acceleron, a seed treatment system. I’m sure there are still people who aren’t quite sure just what Acceleron is. To help explain it, I spoke with Tom Schaefer. He says they launched the product line last fall. They had in-field plots out …
PCV Vaccine Studies
There are a number of vaccines currently on the market for hog producers to control PCV2 and associated diseases. The question for producers is, which one is best for them, especially given today’s challenging market for the hog industry. Some of the vaccines are single dose, some require more than one injection – and most are designed for healthy pigs …
Q and A on PCV2 Vaccination
Porcine circovirus type 2 – better known in the swine world as PCV2 – has become increasingly important for hog producers to control through the use of vaccines. One of the world’s leading researchers on the topic gave a comprehensive presentation to swine vet practitioners on Friday at the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica swine health seminar in Dallas. Dr. Tanja Opriessnig …
It’s A Convention For Hunters And Outdoorsmen
He says he’s grown old with the Dixie Deer Classic. But Bruce Blackwell, General Manager, doesn’t look old to me. I caught up with him relaxing on a golf cart this afternoon. I made him get up for a picture though. He says the show started in 1981. He says the easiest way to describe the show is, “a great …
The Deer Measurer
I don’t know is he’s really called the Deer Measurer but he is one and he says, “Have tape measure, Will travel.” He’s Dave Boland and he’s an official measurer for Pope & Young, Boone & Crockett, Long Hunter Society and the North American Shed Hunters Club. He explained the process for coming up with the measurement to score deer …
Porta Climb For Dixie Deer
I’m on location in a deer hunters paradise. Well, I’m not in the woods looking at a big buck but I am at the Dixie Deer Classic. This is a big show at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. John Deere has their Drive Green Utility Tractor Show set up here and I’m actually posting from one of their displays since …
Big Planter Topic at Classic
This monster planter was too big for the John Deere booth at Commodity Classic this year, but it was still the talk of the town. The DB120, as the name implies, is a 120 foot planter – the biggest ever. It was introduced at the National Farm Machinery Show last month (see previous post), but it was still too big …
Genuine Genuity From Monsanto
At last week’s Commodity Classic I learned a new word – Genuity. My teacher was Dion McBay, Monsanto trait marketing lead. Genuity is a new brand that provides Monsanto with a new platform to deliver new technologies to the marketplace. The name came from the work of a brand development team that talked to farmers across the country. The name …
New Holland News From Commodity Classic
During Commodity Classic I got to interview Gene Hemphill, New Holland, one of our sponsors. Gene (center) had to have his picture taken with Cindy and me since he so rarely sees us in the same place at the same time. Gene was very happy with the show this year. At this year’s show New Holland had a training trailer …