By a vote of 74-22, the Senate has approved a highway transportation re-authorization bill that includes agricultural-related amendments passed Tuesday. The amendments include one by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) which will exempt drivers of farm vehicles from having to acquire a commercial driver’s license, and another by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) which will waive hours of service restrictions during harvest …
BASF Personality Profile – Neil Bentley
We’re starting a new series here on AgWired to tell you more about the people behind the products at BASF Crop Protection. Our first BASF Personality Profile features Neil Bentley, Director of Marketing for BASF’s U.S. crop business. Neil started his career in retail agriculture in northwest Illinois and became a sales rep for BASF and American Cyanamid (dating yourself …
The Expanding World of Hog Feed Choices
Once upon a time, commercial hog diets consisted mainly of corn and soybeans, but the menu has greatly expanded out of necessity since commodity prices increased a few years ago. That expansion has brought with it both opportunities and challenges for producers, according to Iowa State University Professor of Animal Science Dr. John Patience, who spoke to swine veterinarians last …
How #1 Pork Producer Deals With High Feed Costs
When you’re the number one pork producer in the world, higher feed costs take a big bite out of the bottom line. At the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) Swine Health Seminar in Denver, Dr. Steve Pollmann, President of Western Operations for Murphy-Brown, LLC shared some of his thoughts on dealing with high feed costs in commercial pig production. “We’re the …
Talking Corn and Soybeans with BASF
Weeds were a big topic of concern for farmers who visited the BASF Crop Protection exhibit at Commodity Classic this year and with planting season now upon us and commodity prices looking good, growers are really looking to control those yield-robbers. In soybeans, early-season weed competition poses a potential 6 to 10 percent yield loss. In corn, weeds allowed to …
Hog Producers Adjusting to Higher Feed Costs
Hog producers are now able to compete with ethanol producers for corn, according to Purdue agricultural economist Dr. Chris Hurt. Dr. Hurt spoke to swine veterinarians on the topic of “Global Feed Economics in a Biofuel World” during the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) Swine Health Seminar in Denver on Friday. “This is an amazing difference from just five years ago,” …
FS System Lubricants Keep Motors Running Smooth
From heavy-duty diesel engine oils and tractor hydraulic fluids to motor oils, industrial fluids and greases, GROWMARK is a leading manufacturer and supplier of lubricant products through the FS System. GROWMARK’s lubricant marketing manager Tom Drew says the lubricants division includes a wide range of products and brands. “We also have Archer lubricants, United lubricants, we do private label and …
BIVI Mile High Swine Health Seminar Takes Off
As swine vets are gathering in the Mile High City for the start of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) annual meeting, many are attending the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) annual pre-conference swine health seminar. The first part of the seminar is focused on higher feed costs and right now attendees are hearing about “Global Feed Economics in a …
2012 Classic Officially a Barn Buster
It’s official now – the 2012 Commodity Classic was a major record-breaker. Final attendance at the event surpassed all previous turnout records with a total of 6,014 attendees, up 25 percent increase from last year’s record of 4,826 attendees. Once again, farm families represented over half of the participants, with 3,505 growers, spouses and children attending. “We broke records in …
Get Ready for the NASCAR Pioneer Hi-Bred 250
Pioneer Hi-Bred has been a major sponsor of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 for many years – now the DuPont business will be title sponsor for the May NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Iowa Speedway. The Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 will be held Sunday, May 20, at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. “This is a great event for the …