Thirty-three percent of the land’s surface is used for food production. That’s the figure that John Hoffman, Iowa farmer and President of the American Soybean Association puts out there. He says that 33 percent makes up 55 percent of the land that’s arable. So, we’re already using more than half the arable land out there to feed the world. Much …
Farmers get FIT with Mapping
Pioneer is offering a new, free service that it says can give farmers more: more information and more uses for that information. Pioneer Hi-Bred’s FIT mapping combines GPS data with a free mapping service offering farmers detailed information about their crops, where they’re growing their crops and whether they’re growing them in way that maximizes their resources. Did I mention …
Zimfo Bytes
Anyone who’s been disappointed in frozen hamburger patties is in for a great-tasting treat with the new frozen burger patties from Nolan Ryan’s Guaranteed Tender Beef. Made from 100 percent all-natural beef and available in three different varieties, they will be located in the frozen foods sections. The new introductions include: Nolan Ryan’s Guaranteed Tender Ready-to-Cook Chuck Patty, Nolan Ryan’s …
“Influential” O&B CFO
Rhonda Ries Aguilar, Osborn & Barr’s chief financial officer (CFO), has been named one of St. Louis’ Most Influential Business Women of 2008 by the St. Louis Business Journal. Ries Aguilar has served as O&B’s CFO since 2003. She has been with the agency for 16 of its 20 years. Recognized throughout St. Louis and the industry, Ries Aguilar’s professionalism …
Soybean Board Elects Members
Secretary of agriculture Ed Schafer recently announced 19 appointments to the United Soybean Board (USB). Twelve of these directors are returning to serve an additional term, with seven new members coming on board. Each of these appointees represents soybean farmers from their state or region. Returning members will use their experience and knowledge of the checkoff to better position the …
The Blue Ribbon Cookbook Blog
Some people are just meant to be bloggers and Liz Harfull is one of them. She’s the author of the IFAJ e-newsletter and an agricultural journalist down under. I just got this message from Liz so I thought I’d point you to her new blog, The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. By the way, I have just set up my first blog …
The Truth About Labor Day Food Prices
I’m not sure what Cindy and I will be eating today but we won’t be grilling. We’re going to be driving to Minneapolis for tomorrow’s AgNite, which will be covered right here. In the meantime, for those of you who are interested in your Labor Day meal, the folks at FoodPriceTruth.org have some interesting information about your cookout food prices …
IFAJ Star Prize Announced
In a break from tradition, the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists has just announced their 2008 Star Prize winners for writing. You can read their stories via links on the IFAJ website. Treena Hein from Canada is the winner of the prestigious 2008 IFAJ Star Prize for Agricultural Journalism, sponsored by John Deere. The winning article, “Up with hemp,” was …