Ahhh…Spring is here and planting has begun and it’s a perfect time for kids to meet Coolbean. This week I read “Coolbean The Soybean,” by Shawn Conley, Ph.D. who is the state soybean specialist, aka agronomist, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Who better to write a book about the life of a soybean from seed to seed. Coolbean …
3 Top Tips for Recycling Farm Waste
Earth Day may have come and gone but it’s always a good time to be kind to Mother Earth and recycling is one such way. Recycle Farm waste can often contain some of the most recyclable materials around. Organic materials, animal manure and dirty straw and hay can all be used to make materials such as compost, which can be …
Crowd Gathers for Thirsty Land Debut at #Water4Food
As a hush came over the theater last night and the lights went down for the opening scene of the documentary Thirsty Land, the sound of rain pounding on the roof served as background noise. A bit ironic. Especially in light of meeting a community in California that has run out of water. Thirsty Land, directed and produced by Conrad …
Will FSMA Produce Regs Prove Costly to Small Farms?
Most of us involved in agriculture have become familiar with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that was introduced in 2011 as the FDA’s new method of regulating the growth, harvesting, and processing of agricultural goods. While the aim of this new regulatory system is to increase food safety and reduce the prevalence of foodborne illness, there are some aspects …
Casey & Friends is Back with Planters & Cultivators
It’s spring and time to plant! Casey & Friends (Tillus the Worm) are teaming up with her Case IH cartoon equipment team to teach kids how to plant seed and the importance of soil health in Planters & Cultivators. The book is the 4th in the series and once again authored by Holly Dufek. The farm team is very content at …
Bayer #AgVocate Panel Tackles Food Biz Trends
Three food company executives took to the stage at the Bayer AgVocacy Forum in New Orleans last week to discuss global food business trends. Each gave prepared remarks before sitting down for a conversations with event emcee Frank Sesno. Ardent Mills CEO Dan Dye said that his company is less than two years old and unique in that it is …
#Classic16 Corn and Wheat Scholarship Winners
The number of scholarships presented by BASF Crop Protection and the various commodity organizations at Commodity Classic increases every year. Yea. It’s great to see so many young men and women take an interest in agriculture. We were able to interview some but not all of this year’s winners – but they are all outstanding. The $1000 National Corn Growers …
Farmers Saving Money with Propane
Farmers are saving money with propane according to research conducted by the Propane Research and Education Council (PERC) on its Propane Farm Incentive Program. To learn more about the program and how farmers can get involved and save money, Chuck Zimmerman spoke with PERC’s Director of Agriculture Business Development Cinch Munson during Commodity Classic 2016 in New Orleans. The results …
#AgVocate Panel Talks About Food News
When it comes to food, what makes the news? This was a topic that was discussed by a panel at the Bayer AgVocate Forum last week in New Orleans. On the panel were Agri-Pulse president Sara Wyant; Forbes contributor and author Kavin Senapathy; and freelancer Lorie Farrell. When asked what is news to you, Lorie said she and her colleagues …
Research Studies How Pigs React to Infection
How do pigs respond to infection? This is the passion of Dr. Mike Murtaugh, Ph.D from the University of Minnesota. His passion was rewarded when he received funding through the Respiratory Disease Research Board with support from BIVI of $35,000 for his project, “Pen-Side Respiratory Pathogen Identification. The honor was bestowed during the American Association of Swine Veterinarians conference in …