The media has been pointing fingers at biofuels, blaming them for rising food costs. But a study from The Biofuels Digest suggests rising food costs are the result of global pressures, such as China’s increasing demand for meat. Biofuels Digest says their study finds that for every bushel of grain used to make U.S. ethanol, six are used to support …
Ceres First to Brand Bioenergy Seeds
As technology unleashes more and more energy possibilities from more and more crops, it can get a little confusing as to which plants can do what. Ceres, Inc. plans to clarify bio-friendly seeds with its new bioenergy seed brand. Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. plans to market its agricultural seeds and traits under the trade name Blade Energy Crops in …
Mysterious, New Beef Could Vanish
An agricultural research facility in Florida fears the 10 percent reduction in ag research funding will close its doors… and abruptly abort research on a nameless, mixed breed of cattle. The St. Petersburg Times reports: Indeed, few people have ever seen cattle like these. Unless you’re knowledgeable in bovine research, the cross-bred calves huddled in tall grass of the pastures …
NAMA Wrap-up
In the words of NAMA Executive Director Jenny Pickett (pictured right), organizers of this year’s “Leading the Charge” Agri-marketing Conference “knocked it out of the park.” This was Jenny’s first conference as the Executive Director, though she has been a part of NAMA for a long time. Jenny stepped up as executive director last year when the previous director, Eldon …
John Deere Model Wins ‘Utility Vehicle of the Year’
Side Action Magazine has named John Deere’s Gator XUV 850D Model Declared its 2008 ‘Utilty Vehicle of the Year.’ The model won the Side X Side Shoot-Out – a two-day, comprehensive test in Barstow, CA. John Deere earned the top award in the utility vehicle category going up against ten models from eight other manufacturers. Scoring of the machines was …
Hart Offers New Hart Cart
Hart Marketing, Inc. released its first ever Hart Cart Utility Vehicle in 2006. But now, the Indiana-based UTV dealer has introduced a new model and says its product is as popular as ever with farmers. Tom Applewood of Springfield IL says, Ive been farming for 30 years and this Hart Cart is one of the best tools Ive ever bought. …
Sweetest Honey of the Hives
They’re calling it The Great American Honey Hunt. The American Honey Producers Association wants apiarists and backyard beekeepers alike to submit their best sticky sweetness to claim the ultimate honey pot. Honey varietals are surging in popularity. Clover, alfalfa, sage, wildflower – more than 300 different types of honey – each with its own unique taste, color and fragrance – …
Ohio Equine Enthusiasts Unite
Members of the Ohio horse community are uniting in the face of economic instability. The equine industry in Ohio is forming an umbrella coalition to offer members more security. In an attempt to overcome numerous challenges and what amounts to an economic crisis in several segments, members of this state’s horse community today announced the formation of the Ohio Equine …
Family Farm is Saving Lungs with Cow Dung
Pennsylvania is honoring a family farm operation that has developed a new “manure digester.” The farm developed the new system in collaboration with NativeEnergy. The project is meant to help residents will breathe easier with cleaner air. High quality carbon offsets provider NativeEnergy is proud to announce the Brubaker Farms’ family dairy farm methane project, a new anaerobic digester/generator system …
Sunny Spring Day
It was a beautiful day here in central Missouri so I went out for a walk on the Katy Trail. Pretty soon these fields will be seeing some action but not until we get some more midwest rain from the looks of the forecast. We’ve got some standing water in a lot of fields still from the last rains but …