The 2010 Farm Progress is hours away from kickoff and Matt Jungmann, the National Events Manager for the show, is expecting huge crowds. This year, more than 550 exhibitors will be on hand; this is slightly up from 2008 when the Farm Progress was last in Boone, Iowa. But maybe more impressive is the fact that the exhibitors that are …
The King of Farm Progress Kicks It All Off
The king of Farm Progress, Gene Hemphill, a consultant for New Holland, is on site and raring to go for the start of this year’s Farm Progress Show. The ZimmComm team is on site at the media tent, which is sponsored by New Holland. I’ll be reporting from the show this week along with Chuck Zimmerman. Check out our Farm …
Iowa Farmers Participate in Biomass Harvest
Eighty-five farmers in and around Emmetsburg, Iowa have become early adopters by participating in the world’s largest biomass harvest for cellulosic ethanol ever. Over the next year, nearly 60,000 tons of bone-dry light corn stover and corn cobs will be delivered to Project Liberty in an effort to refine biomass harvesting, storage and transportation techniques in time for the production …
Iowa Corn Farmers Still Optimistic Despite Flooding
Last week, the USDA announced its estimated harvest numbers for corn this fall and the report was full of good news. They are expecting another record harvest this year as well as an increase in bushels per acre. Should their predictions come true, this will be the third record harvest in a row. In addition, corn growers will achieve this …
Camelina Gaining Favor with Farmers for Biodiesel
Farmers in several regions of the U.S. are discovering a new potential cash crop – camelina. Camelina is beginning to find favor with both the biofuels industry as a strong potential feedstock for biodiesel, as well as with farmers who are discovering they will be able to grow the crop profitably. One such farmer is Steve Camp, whose farm is …
Corn Fact Book Available
When you’re eating your dinner, do you ever wonder about the farmers who made your meal possible? Wonder no more. The Corn Fact Book, a publication created by the Corn Farmers Coalition and supported by corn checkoff programs in 14 states, is chock full of interesting nuggets about the technology and innovation that goes into growing our food. The fact …
Cydectin Becomes Wounded Warrior Project Sponsor
Cydectin, a pour-on cattle dewormer manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, has become the first industry sponsor of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The WWP is a nonprofit, founded in 2003, whose mission is to enlist Americans’ aid to help meet the needs of injured service members. “Our troops give the ultimate sacrifice by serving on the front lines for us …
Book Review – Public Produce
I came across an interesting little book a few weeks ago called Public Produce, authored by Darrin Nordahl. The book discusses the urban agriculture movement and highlights several programs in both California and Iowa – two states the author has called home (and I have also called home). The move to public produce has been driven in part by several …
Mike’s Million Mile Ride
Remember when American-made cars meant quality? Well, maybe it still does. An interesting little story has surfaced this week as Mike Lewallen, a Stoller salesman, who has traveled around the country in the name of agriculture, has put more than 1 million miles, on his Ford truck. Now this my friends, is quite an accomplishment. Ironically, this video was shot …
Book Review – Green Gone Wrong
Everyone has an opinion about the veracity of global warming, except, maybe global governments who are pursing economic improvements on the back of climate change. The quest for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and predominately carbon dioxide (CO2) has led to a spurt of new research around the development of more sustainable practices and technologies. But at what cost …