Monsanto was one of the sponsors on the recent Conservation Technology Information Center tour in Livingston County, Ill., and Chuck caught up with the company’s Emilio Oyarzabal, who said the CTIC’s work is very important to Monsanto and its customers. “We need agriculture more than ever,” Emilio said, but he added that farmers are being accused of doing environmental damage. …
Texas Congressman at Peanut Conference
Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX) provided an update on the farm bill at the 2013 Southern Peanut Growers Conference on Saturday. Rep. Conaway, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, says the House still intends to get a nutrition bill passed. “We’ll have a nutrition title and it will have reforms in it…probably stronger reforms than what we had in the …
Investing in Illinois Soil’s Wealth
“The wealth of Illinois is in her soil, and her strength lies in its intelligent development.” That quote was from one of the first presidents of the University of Illinois almost 200 years, but attendees of the recent Conservation Technology Information Center tour in Livingston County, Ill., heard it reiterated by Jean Payne, President of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical …
Corn Growers Adopting New Conservation Practices
The National Corn Growers Association is very supportive of the work of the Conservation Technology Information Council. That certainly makes sense as corn farmers have a strong desire to better manage their land in a sustainable way. During the 2013 Conservation in Action Tour, Dan Cole, corn grower (left in photo) and member of the NCGA Production & Stewardship Action …
Zimfo Bytes
Avocados From Mexico (AFM), announced several leadership additions to the new marketing agenc. NovaSource Inc. announced the expansion of its international organization and the establishment of a new position in Latin America. The results of a survey about the 4R nutrient knowledge of and the communication between soil and water conservation districts and agricultural retailers will be discussed in a …
Southern Peanut Growers Team
The 15th annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference is officially underway in Panama City Beach and I had the opportunity to catch up with all four of the state executives for the associations involved in the event as soon as I arrived on the scene yesterday to get an update and a preview. Left to right, the fabulous four are Randy …
New Program to Empower Farmers as Leaders
DuPont and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced a new program to develop corn farmers for agricultural leadership opportunities. With more focus on food than ever, the NCGA DuPont New Leader Program will help to empower growers to share their story of their farms and the benefits of a robust agriculture system with key audiences, including consumers, media and …
Grant Program Supports Future Newscasters
Nearly a dozen future newscasters throughout the U.S. are gaining valuable experience in farm broadcasting this summer as part of the DuPont Pioneer NAFB (National Association of Farm Broadcasting) Foundation Internship Program. The program assists 10 NAFB member stations and networks with $1,000 grants from Pioneer to provide interns on-the-job agricultural broadcasting experience — from news production to live reporting. …
Stabilizing Nitrogen Important for Conservation Tillage
I want to say a big thanks to Koch Agronomic Services for being the sponsor of our coverage of the 2013 Conservation in Action Tour again this year. During the tour I visited with Greg Schwab, Director of Agronomy. He says that some of the products they make help farmers do conservation tillage. One of the challenges is maintaining the …
Fate of Catfish Program in Farm Bill Conference
The House farm-only version of the farm bill includes repeal of USDA catfish inspection program but the Senate bill does not and those who are in favor of getting rid of the program are hoping it will survive the conference committee. “Its fate now lies with the Farm Bill conferees who will have to decide if they support American farmers …