While some crops could hold great potential as bioenergy sources, they could also pose a threat as an invasive species. A new study in the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management says that a seed-bearing form of giant miscanthus could be trouble for farmers if it escapes cultivation. The article “The Relative Risk of Invasion: Evaluation of Miscanthus × giganteus …
Farmers Urged to Prep Propane Equipment for Spring
Spring is in the air, and planting is either started or getting ready to get started across the country. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is urging farmers who use their fuel to make sure spring preparation includes prepping that propane-fueled equipment. Irrigation Engines After a long winter, rodents, debris, and exposure to the elements are the most common …
The Big O is 8-0!
It was a big celebration last week when NAFB past president and long time WGN Radio farm broadcaster, Orion Samuelson turned 80. Orion has been on WGN Radio for 53 and a half years. Yes, the half counts! As a young girl growing up in Illinois, I have listened to Orion report the numbers, listened to his noon shows with …
2nd Syngenta Photography Award Call for Entries
Syngenta announced that the second Syngenta Photography Award is now open for entries. The Award aims to stimulate dialogue and create awareness around significant global challenges through powerful photography. The Syngenta Photography Award invites professional and amateur photographers from all over the world to submit applications in two categories – the Professional Commission and the Open Competition. The Award offers …
NAMA Group Trip to St. Augustine
We were supposed to go deep sea fishing on Monday but that got blown out by 5-6 foot waves so instead we arranged a fun, factual, and filling trip to St. Augustine. Ag Net Media and ZimmComm hosted the few and happy that were able to come in a day or so early on a Savory Faire Walking Food Tour …
Iowa Corn Board Receives Nitrogen Gene Patent
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board is the recipient of a newly issued patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This is the first U.S. patent that the Board has received for its work in nitrogen use efficiency in corn and related to transgenic plants that have increased nitrogen use efficiency, and/or increased yield using a patented gene. Specifically, patent …
NAMA Exec. Comm. Meets
The Agri-Marketing Conference week is underway in Jacksonville, FL. Here’s the NAMA executive committee at work this morning wearing Under Armour caps thanks to President Kenna Rathai. They’re looking down to show off the NAMA logo on top of the caps. Most of the committee took off to play in the golf tournament. I hope the weather gets better since …
AEM Analysis of Ag Equipment Economic Impact
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has just released a new in-depth analysis of of the impact of the agricultural equipment industry on the American economy. The white paper quantifies the many economic impacts of the manufacturing, distribution, and use of agriculture equipment and machinery from 2011 and figured the total economic footprint of the agricultural industry – including upstream and …
Ag Journalists Meet in DC
The North American Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ) annual meeting is wrapping up today in Washington, D.C. Last night was the NAAJ-Sonja Hillgren Scholarship and Writing Awards Banquet at the National Press Club where the best of the best were honored after a full schedule of hearing from administration officials and lawmakers. Receiving the Agricultural Journalist of the Year award was Shannon …
Zimfo Bytes
Nominations due June 30 for the 2014 Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by the Rockefeller. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of eight individuals to serve on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that farmers and ranchers can sign-up for disaster assistance programs, …