Monsanto and Dupont Pioneer announced today “a series of technology licensing agreements.” These agreements will expand the range of seed products they can offer farmers. The agreements include a multi-year, royalty-bearing license for Monsanto’s next-generation soybean technologies in the United States and Canada. I spoke with Lisa Safarian, Monsanto, US Row Crops lead, to get some details. Some of the …
Smart Machine Technology Growing Bigger Farms
Dr. Terry Kastens is an Emeritus Professor from Kansas State University. He’s back to farming now and spoke during a Learning Center Session at Commodity Classic sponsored by John Deere. The session topic was “Better Data, Better Decisions: the ROI of Smart Machine Technology. One of the first points Dr. Karstens makes is that every new technology requires an investment. …
Got Meat Processing Sense
Here’s a class I would love to attend. It’s the Aggie Processed Meat School Program. This program is not just for people who do meat processing but also those involved in quality control, business management, public relations and marketing. Here what you will learn if you attend. By attending the Aggie Processed Meat School you will discover both the science …
Agvocating on Ag Day
There were lots of agvocates in Washington, DC last week for National Ag Day activities. They included some great young people and we’ll hear from a few of them in this week’s program. Let’s start with Troy and Bobbie Uglem, North Dakota. They are 2012 National Outstanding Young Farmers. During the lunch program on Ag Day Troy addressed those attending. …
Farmers Telling Personal Stories Important to Consumers
This week during Ag Day activities the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance held an educational session which was moderated by Chris Galen, Sr. VP of Communications for the National Milk Producers Federation. He also sits on the board of USFRA. Chris says Ag Day provided a great opportunity to speak with Capitol Hill staffers and legislators about the latest research …
Ag Relations Council New President
The Agricultural Relations Council annual meeting is taking place in Oklahoma City. Wish I could be there but . . . Thanks to Janice Person, Monsanto, for sharing a picture of the passing of the gavel. Pictured are now past ARC President Mace Thornton, AFBF, (left) and Mike Opperman, Charleston Orwig, now new President. I will plan to share more …
National Ag Day Contest Winners
At the National Ag Day banquet in Washington, DC, the winner of the written essay contest read her essay to us. She’s Whitney Bowman, Mount Jackson, VA. Here’s where you can find her essay titled “American Agriculture: Nourishing Opportunities.” Other winners include Lebo Molefe, Naperville, IL – Video Essay Contest – see below and April Fox, Wayne State University – …
BCS Communications Celebrating Ten Years
Here are a couple of farm kids doing good in the big city. Leigh Ann Cleaver and Kelly Schwalbe of BCS Communications (our sponsor) attended National Ag Day Activities and we visited about what’s new with the agency. BCS Communications supports National Ag Day because it’s “second nature to us” says Kelly. Additionally, most of their clients are involved in …
Secretary of Ag Tom Vilsack at Ag Day
Our U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke at the annual National Ag Day banquet in the USDA Whitten Bldg. First up in his remarks was a sales pitch for moderator, The Big O, Orion Samuelson’s book, “You Can’t Dream Big Enough.” I’ll bet that didn’t hurt sales! If you like Orion’s Ole and Lena jokes then you’ll really enjoy …
James Wesley Thanks a Farmer
From an #AgDay @Reply to me this afternoon comes a link to a new single by James Wesley, Thank a Farmer. Thought it would be good to share before I head to this afternoon’s National Ag Day banquet at USDA. You can find Jame’s song on YouTube and purchase it in iTunes. I’ve got it. So, go get it. 2013 …