Atrazine is once again under attack with a recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highly critical of the ag herbicide. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has been fighting for the right of growers to use atrazine and to learn more I spoke with Kevin Skunes, the first vice president elect for NCGA and a farmer from Eastern …
IA Gov Branstad Visits #FarmProgessShow
Another successful Farm Progress Show has wrapped up in Boone, Iowa. We ended on a high note with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad visiting exhibitors and stopping by the BASF Media Tent to speak with reporters about key ag issues. I spoke with him about three issues: ethanol, water quality and trade. Branstad said that we appreciate the private sector support …
New Holland Expands Self Propelled Forage Harvesters
New Holland has continued the launch of its Self Propelled Forage Harvester line that started last year. The five model line-up ranges from 480 horsepower all the way up to 825 horsepower according to New Holland’s Doug Otto, with whom I spoke with during the 2016 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa this week. One of the greatest features of …
Iowa Home to New Ag Tech Accelerator
Iowa is the new home of a new startup business accelerator: Ag Tech Accelerator (The Accelerator). Four investors have provided funding for the initiative including DuPont Pioneer, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company, John Deere and Peoples Company. Each company has committed to providing $100,000 for the first year. The Accelerator was announced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the …
Report Finds #Ag Can Help Combat Climate Change
Growers to provide feed, fiber and fuel and now according to a new report released during a press conference at the Farm Progress Show this week, farmers, or agriculture, can also help combat climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). ICF International conducted the research entitled, “Charting a Path to Carbon Neutral Agriculture: Mitigation Potential for Crop …
NCGA Shares Messages & Priorities at #FarmProgressShow
Several members and staff from the National Corn Growers Association spent time with media, farmers, industry partners and academics during the 2016 Farm Progress Show to share the organization’s key priorities and messages. The clear intent of our effort is to communicate the economic challenges farmers are facing and leverage NCGA’s position as a thought leader to raise awareness and …
Midwest Row Crop Collaborative Launched
During the Farm Progress Show this morning a new initiative was announced to add more support to on-farm conservation programs and practices: The Midwest Row Crop Collaborative. One of the Collaborative’s first actions is to raise $4 million dollars over five years to support Soil Health Partnership (SHP). The initiative was created to support, enhance and accelerate the use of …
Don Tourte Kicks Off 2016 #FarmProgressShow
Don Tourte, VP of Sales for the Farm Progress Show kicked off the 63rd annual event in the BASF Media Tent this morning. He gave media a bit of a show preview and noted that the exhibitors look as good as ever and highlighted how they have gone all out this year. “There are some really great things to see …
Iowa Ag Water Alliance Announces Conservation Strategy
Two years ago several Iowa-based agricultural groups launched the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA). Today during the 2016 Farm Progress Show, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced the organization’s new Conservation Infrastructure Strategy to assist in the identification of economic development opportunities associated with achieving the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The IAWA also announced the formation …
Disruptive Innovation Goes Beyond Silicon Valley
When many people hear the term disruptive innovation, they think of Silicon Valley start-ups in the 90s that changed the way we deliver information and communicate. But like many things born in California, disruptive innovation is just not limited to Silicon Valley and technology parks. Coined in 1995 by Clayton M. Christensen, disruptive innovation describes a process by which a …