The stage is set for the Wyffels Corn Strategies 2011 in Dixon, Illinois. The official event gets underway bright and early on Wednesday morning, but the pre-event kicked it off Tuesday evening at the Pratt Family Farms. The festivities included a delicious steak dinner, homemade ice cream, an opportunity to hear from some of the event partners, and the recording …
Conservation On The Dairy Farm
The CTIC Indian Creek Watershed Project field tour included a stop at Kilgus Dairy. The family dairy farm is the only one in the state bottling their own milk. They also grow corn and soybeans and have land for the cows to graze on. They move those cows periodically, allowing the paddocks to grow back. In the picture you can …
USDA May Get Precision Ag Data
I have now moved from Nebraska to Illinois for the 2011 InfoAg Conference. This is all about precision agriculture so most of our coverage will be found on Precision Pays. Thanks to Cindy we have coverage already started since I was a little slow moving this morning. Here’s her report on the opening session: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Acreage …
Retailer Perspective On FMC Summer Plot Tour
A large group of retailers attended the FMC Summer Plot Tour in York, NE. They were there to learn what’s new from FMC and have the opportunity to see test results and interact with FMC product managers. We divided up into three groups and rotated field stations. To get a perspective of what these folks were learning I spoke with …
Growing Connoisseur Corn
There was a lot to learn from Spence Farm on the CTIC Indian Creek Watershed Project field tour. Specialty corn varieties for connoisseur chefs is another lesson we learned last week. Iroquois White Corn has an unusual earthy flavor and a varied texture that chefs love and it’s worth about $840 a bushel for Marty and Kris Travis of Spence …
Grandin Honored by American Meat Science Association
Dr. Temple Grandin was recently awarded the 2011 American Meat Science Association (AMSA) Special Recognition Award at the 64th Annual Reciprocal Meat Conference. Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. On her web site, Dr. Temple Grandin describes herself simply as “a designer of livestock handling facilities.” The …
New Farm Podcaster Tool – Zoom H2n
Hey farm podcasters. Here’s another option for your gear bag. The Zoom H2n from Samson. No matter the application, the H2n brings the very best in stereo recording to a convenient, user-friendly package that fits in your pocket. Zoom H2n Handy Recorder. The new standard in portable recording. FEATURES Five built-in mic capsules provide Mid-Side (MS) stereo, 90° X/Y stereo, …
GROWMARK Awards Jim Evans Endowed Chair
This is Jim Evans leading an FFA reporters workshop sometime in the 1960’s. The Endowed Chair in Agricultural Communications in his name at the University of Illinois, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences just got a large donation. If you haven’t made a contribution, please consider doing so. GROWMARK, Inc. announced today a $100,000 award to the University of …
Anthem From FMC
The Midwest Technical Lead for FMC Agricultural Products is Gail Stratman. He conducted one of our FMC Summer Plot Tour classes both inside and outside today. I sat down with him afterward to learn what’s new with FMC. Gail says Anthem is what’s new. Anthem is a new pre-plant, pre-emergence and early post herbicide currently being developed by the company. …
Beef Board Chairman Tom Jones Resigns
The Arkansas producer chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board has resigned for personal reasons, according to the organization. Tom Jones, Pottsville, Ark., tendered his resignation as chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board today. He also notified the Secretary of Agriculture of his resignation as a member of the Beef Board. Jones cited personal and family reasons for his decision, including …