It’s time to analyze some new data about farm computer use and ownership. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistic Service has released a new report, “Farm Computer Usage and Ownership, August 2011.” Here’s the opening summary. It’s interesting to see that dialup access has dropped in half since the last report in 2009. Also note how high the percentages get as you …
Hog Economics in the Biofuels Era
“Hog Economics in the Biofuels Era” was the topic of a presentation by Purdue University economist Dr. Chris Hurt at the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Swine Health Seminar in North Carolina. Dr. Hurt says government policies like biofuels and even food stamps were built upon a “psychology of surplus” to increase prices. “We continue to see a psychology of surplus in …
Checking Out the Soil on Ohio Farm
The 2011 CTIC Conservation In Action Tour in Ohio this week included an in-depth look at the soil on a northwest Ohio farm. USDA resource soil scientist Frank Gibbs likes to dig in the dirt a lot. He is a certified professional soil scientist and classifier and chairs the Ohio Soil Scientist Certification Board for the Soil Science Society of …
Dr. Temple Grandin at BIVI Swine Health Seminar
Nobody talks common sense about animal welfare better than Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University. If you are in the livestock industry, unless you live in a cave, you have heard of Dr. Grandin. In fact, a decent portion of the general public now knows this amazing woman, thanks to the HBO movie starring Claire Danes which celebrates Temple’s …
Zimfo Bytes
ANIMART, Inc. announces the recent addition of Renee Sternhagen as client services representative of the dairy and livestock division which provides animal health products, supplies and solutions to producers. The American Meat Science Association in cooperation with the National Pork Board will host AMSA PORK 101 Sept. 20-22, 2011, at Iowa State University in Ames. Kathy Rancour, accounting manager for …
Clear Case for Cover Crops on CTIC Tour
Participants on this week’s he 2011 CTIC Conservation In Action Tour in Ohio heard a clear case for cover crops from farmer Allen Dean in Williams County. “For several years now we’ve been watching our watersheds when we get these large rainfall events and it’s been interesting to see where we have some type of cover crop, water coming off …
Traveling Wall Honors Our Military
I thought this was a cool story to share from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. These bikers are huge supporters of our military men and women and it showed. The Traveling Wall by AVTT was on display at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. This wall contains names of those who have lost their life in service to our country, defending our freedom. …
It’s in the Can
I’ve seen them used as decorations on the front porch, or as bar stools in the shop, or flower planters … but in the early days, these cream cans were actually used for agricultural purposes. It’s just that – a 5-gallon cream can that folks used to set at the end of the driveway and once a week, a truck …
Keeping up with The Andersons on CTIC Tour
One stop on the 2011 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour where I wish we had spent more time was The Andersons. Al Bensch, vice president of northern operations for The Andersons Plant Nutrient Group, spoke on one of the three tour buses as we drove past much of the company’s Maumee, Ohio operations. “We have 27 locations in the fertilizer …
Relaxing at Sturgis With Good Music
I’m betting there are a few Toby Keith fans out there in the AgWired community so I thought I’d share a photo from his performance at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally at the Buffalo Chip Campground. After a long day of working with the Renewable Fuels Association on their sponsorship of the rally it’s really nice to kick back and enjoy …