Hello from the John Deere Technology Summit in Des Moines, IA. This is the welcoming committee for ag media. Starting this evening and continuing out on the farm tomorrow we’ll be learning about what’s new from John Deere. I don’t have any of that information to share with you yet but you can be sure I will. For those of …
ASTA Represents Vegetable and Flower Seed
During the American Seed Trade Association convention the organization’s divisions conduct business and report on activities. One of those is the Vegetable and Flower Seed Division, chaired by Kent Croon, Monsanto. I visited with Kent after his report was given. Kent works in technology development within Monsanto Vegetable Seeds. Kent says that many people think corn and soybeans when they …
USDA Teams Up with GE for Renewable Energy
General Electric Aviation plans to buy $5 million worth of biofuels for its jets beginning in 2015, thanks to a partnership with the USDA. The two are collaborating with the Ohio Aerospace Institute, air carriers and producer groups to develop a Midwest-regional strategy to provide renewable-jet fuel at GE Aviation’s Cincinnati-area facilities. This USDA press release features Agriculture Secretary Tom …
Not Even a Cackle
With 100-degree weather in Nebraska this week, it seems odd to draw a comparison to a Christmas song, but the title of this post reminded me of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. But this story has nothing to do with a mouse. Just like any good farmer, my grandmother’s family had a little bit of everything in the late 1930s, …
Alltech Symposium iBook
Have you wondered what to do with all those photos from your event? Not ready to print a book? Then take Alltech’s lead and publish an iBook. The Alltech 28th Annual International Symposium, held May 20 – 23, 2012, in Lexington, Ky., was a venue for close to 3,000 delegates from around the world to discuss the future of agriculture …
Most Favor Choice at the Pump
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Will you buy E15 for your MY2001 or later car if it’s offered?” Our poll results: Nearly half, forty-nine percent, said Yes; twenty-nine percent said No; and twenty-two percent said it depends on price. Looks like consumers are in favor of having a choice at the pump, and are fans of ethanol! Our new …
Dr. Fred Below is Quotable on BASF Panel
Dr. Fred Below, Professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was one of many experts on a panel at the recent BASF Agricultural Solutions Media Summit but he had some of the best quotes that were most tweeted from the event. One of his more quotable comments was that because university extension budgets are being “cut …
Late Swine Nutrition Expert Honored at Pork Expo
A University of Illinois professor who spent his lifetime contributing to the livestock nutrition industry was honored at World Pork Expo earlier this month. JBS United recognized the contributions of Dr. David H. Baker as this year’s John B. Swisher Leadership Award Winner. Dr. Baker’s family accepted the post humus award in his honor on June 5 at the Expo …
Farm Foundation Free Webinar on Data Collection
Knowledge is power, and having good data to have good knowledge (and thus, good power) is key to having an efficient operation, no matter if it’s farming or any other business. That’s why our friends at Farm Foundation will be holding a free one-hour webinar this Friday at 2 p.m. EDT on how the ag industry needs to respond to …
New Editorial Content Director Of Successful Farming
Meredith Corporation announced that David Kurns has been named Editorial Content Director of the Successful Farming brand, effective August 1. He will replace Loren Kruse, who is retiring after 36 years with Meredith. Kurns, 51, is a leading digital content expert. He was part of the founding team that launched www.agriculture.com. He later served as the first Editor-in-Chief of Meredith …