Today John Deere announced MyJohnDeere.com and to learn a little about it I spoke with David Everitt, President, Agriculture and Turf Division. Dave has just announced his retirement from John Deere after a long career with the company. The announcements are being made at the John Deere FarmSight Tech Summit. David says this is the most exciting time to be …
It Will Be Dupont Pioneer
Beginning this weekend you’ll see a new name for Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. As of July 1 it will be known as DuPont Pioneer. According to information I received the change is a part of the company extending DuPont’s efforts in the agricultural and food industries. The change in the name is to reflect a joint mission to find …
Ready For John Deere Technology Summit
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 …