Ag Economic Outlook at #ARA2016

Cindy Zimmerman

If there is one word to describe the current economic outlook for agriculture it would probably be uncertain, according to Terry Barr, Senior Director for the Knowledge Exchange Division of CoBank. “We’re entering into a fairly dynamic period of uncertain political and economic realities,” said Barr, who spoke to a standing room only crowd at last week’s Ag Retailers Association …

ARA, Audio

Happy World #SoilDay!

Cindy Zimmerman

In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences made a resolution proposing the 5th of December as World Soil Day to celebrate the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to human well being. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has made it an annual campaign which aims to connect …

Conservation, NCGA, Soil, Soil Health Partnership, Video

GROWMARK and FS Support Pollinator Literacy in Illinois

Cindy Zimmerman

Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) programs are buzzing with an increased emphasis on pollinators, thanks to GROWMARK and its FS member cooperatives. At the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) annual meeting this week, GROWMARK Corporate Relations and Foundation Manager Amy Bradford announced new collaborative efforts focused on activities and education related to the importance of pollinators. “We place a high …

Audio, Bees, FS System, GROWMARK, pollinators

Heading to #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman

We’ll be heading out today for the Windy City (which is also pretty cold this week) for America’s largest seed industry conference – the American Seed Trade Association 71st Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference 46th Soybean Seed Research Conference and Seed Expo. That’s a mouthful, so they just call it ASTA’s CSS 2016 & Seed Expo, or #ASTA-CSS. The …

ASTA, Seed, Video

GROWMARK Announces Missouri Essay Winner

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK has named Marrah Delmont of Halfway, Missouri as the state winner of the 2017 GROWMARK essay contest for FFA members with the theme “What value do cooperatives provide to today’s farmers?” In her contest entry, Delmont said: “The benefits cooperatives provide go far beyond economics. As successful cooperatives grow, successful leaders, directors, managers, and other employees grow too. By …

FFA, GROWMARK

#ARA2016 Awards Presented

Cindy Zimmerman

The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) presented its most prestigious awards during the association’s annual meeting this week in Florida. Being an organization of ag retailers, it stands to reason that one of the biggest awards is Retailer of the Year. Sponsored by Monsanto, ARA and AgProfessional magazine, the ARA Ag Retailer of the Year honors the very best in the …

Agribusiness, ARA, Audio

Topguard® Terra Helping SW Cotton Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

Cotton root rot has been a problem for farmers in the southwest for decades, but FMC’s Topguard® Terra is making a difference. FMC Southern Regional Business Manager Matt Hancock says Topguard® Terra is an extremely systemic triazole fungicide. “So it gets into the plant and it stays there,” he said during an interview this week at the ARA Conference and …

Agribusiness, ARA, Audio, Cotton, FMC, Fungicide

GROWMARK Announces Iowa Essay Winner

Cindy Zimmerman

The theme of this year’s GROWMARK essay contest for FFA members was “What value do cooperatives provide to today’s farmers?” and the Iowa state winner is Jaxon Mullinnix of Lone Tree, Iowa – a student at Lone Tree High School and a member of the Lone Tree FFA chapter. In his contest entry, Mullinnix said: “Some may even describe cooperatives …

Education, FFA, GROWMARK

Clariant Will Be at #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman

Clariant will be adding some new color to the ASTA CSS 2016 & Seed Expo, December 5-9 at the Chicago Hyatt Regency, featuring its full range of Agrocer™ seed pigments and pigment preparations, the first dedicated range of colorants for the agricultural industry. Mark Self, Market Segment Manager, says they will be a first time exhibitor at the expo this …

ASTA, Events, Seed

Big Year for Deere

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s been a big year for John Deere, as Product Marketing Manager Doug Felter can tell you. For starters, there was the addition of the Nutrient Applicator – a first for Deere. Growers and retailers are already putting it to good use this fall, applying P&K, among other nutrients. The exact apply nozzle is another advancement for the company. “It …

Audio, Equipment, John Deere