Wind energy is an up and coming technology in the U.S. and central Illinois. Attendees of the International Farm Management Association 17 Congress (IFMA 17) got a chance to learn more about this current, complex energy issue. Andrew Young, CDO of Horizon Wind Energy, addressed the IFMA 17 Congress today in the Brown Ballroom at Illinois State University. Young’s presentation …
IFMA 17 Delegates Travel on Bio-Fuels
IFMA 17 was not kidding when it came up with its concept for the second Congress ever held in the U.S. Conference planners have woven the theme of “Food, Fiber and Energy” throughout the past few days of the Congress. However, it may surprise a few of the international delegates to learn their transportation is also joining the IFMA 17 …
Zimmatic Irrigation Can Improve Biofuels ROI
You know that we have to love the name of this company – Zimmatic! Lindsay Corporation, maker of Zimmatic® irrigation systems, has produced a new biofuels brochure called “Improving Biofuel ROI Through Efficient Irrigation Solutions.” The eight-page full-color brochure includes information on key biofuel crops, the benefits of biofuels, market growth opportunities for biofuels, and irrigation management recommendations to help …
IFMA17 Members Tour Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences
Typically farmers don’t take a city bus or elevated train to the fields each day. But Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences isn’t your typical farm. Every year as many as 1,500 prospective students apply for 150 spots at the far south side magnet school, and the lucky few who are chosen travel long distances to be a part of …
IFMA Attendees Experience Central Illinois Farming Practices
It is one thing to listen to a lecture about the functions of a fully developed wind farm, but it is quite another to learn about the 265 ft. tall turbines as they turn in front of you. As the International Farm Management Association Congress (IFMA) continued today, attendees got to see several agricultural practices first hand throughout Central Illinois. …
Breakout Sessions Offer Global Perspectives
Instead of traveling to 26 different countries to hear about the deregulation of South African dairy farmers or the sustainable practices of farms set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, IFMA 17 delegates can simply travel across the street to breakout sessions on the Illinois State University campus. With several broad categories to choose from, ranging from farm management to marketing …
Sustainable Ag for Farming Future
Populations are growing, diets are becoming healthier, land and water rights are being cracked down upon and the consumption of food is doubling as the years progress forward becomes, “The need for and acceptance of biotechnology in feeding a hungry world.” Kevin Eblen, of the Monsanto Company, set the stage for his presentation Monday with a video that talks about …
Economist Envisions “Golden Era of Agriculture”
Jim Wiesemeyer of Informa Economics told more than 300 attendees at the U.S. Grains Council‘s 49th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in San Diego this week that there may be a few more tough years for the economy but there will eventually be a light at the end of the tunnel, and farmers will flourish. “Once the US and world …
Corn Growers Work With Grains Council
Leaders from the National Corn Growers Association were among those in attendance at the U.S. Grains Council delegates meeting this week in San Diego, including First Vice President Darrin Ihnen of South Dakota and Chairman Ron Litterer from Iowa. I talked to Darrin about a number of topics, including how NCGA works with USGC. “We work very well together,” Darrin …
Students Share Experiences of Grain Mission Trip
The U.S. Grains Council’s 49th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting luncheon on Monday featured two college seniors who shared their experiences as participants of the recent International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership (I-CAL) annual mission to Vietnam and China. Amy Berry, senior at the University of Wyoming, and Michelle Euken, senior at Iowa State University, told more than 300 attendees of their …