Closing the PRRS Knowledge Gap

Jamie Johansen

The amount of research being done with PRRS is great, however the knowledge gap is large. Dr. Andres Perez, professor at the University of Minnesota, talked about PRRS research with goals to close some of our knowledge gaps and summarized results of and future plans for research on PRRS incidence, molecular epidemiology and modeling. All this took place during Boehringer …

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

System Based PRRS Control

Jamie Johansen

As veterinarians and researchers gathered for the 20th North American PRRS Symposium they heard from many speakers who shared insights into the virus. One was Dr. John Kolb who is a professional services veterinarian working in the key account section of Boehringer Ingelheim. He talked about the application of a system-based PRRS control methodology which provides a systematic approach for …

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

Samuelson Honored by American Agri-Women

John Davis

Award-winning ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson has been honored by the American Agri-Women (AAW) with its VERITAS award. This AAW news release says the group handed at the award at its 39th annual convention in Ohio. Its VERITAS award is the highest award given to a non-member. It is given annually to a person who has given public witness to “the …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness

2014 Census of Horticulture Underway

John Davis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has started 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties. This news release says the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the survey that will provide a comprehensive picture of the horticultural sector of the U.S. economy, along with offering detailed production and sales data for the U.S. floriculture, nursery and specialty crop industries, including greenhouse food …

Agribusiness, USDA

Simplot CEO Speaks at ASTA CSS

Leah Guffey

The opening session of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS and Seed Expo was highlighted by keynote speaker J.R. Simplot president and CEO Bill Whitacre. Since inventing the first viable frozen french fry the J.R. Simplot Company, has become one of North America’s largest, privately held food and agribusiness companies, with over $4.5 billion in annual sales. Simplot has …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Historical Comparison of PRV & PRRS at BIVI Seminar

Jamie Johansen

The North American PRRS Symposium took place in Chicago over the weekend. Boehringer Ingelheim’s sponsored PRRS session was centered around coordinating efforts for area disease control. The 20th anniversary of global PRRS solutions brought together the leading researchers and veterinarians to drive the discussion on the next steps to tackling the long-standing virus. One of the keynote speakers was Dr. …

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

More Farmers Adopting Variable Rate Seeding

Jamie Johansen

Low corn prices are causing farmers to take a hard look at what new technologies will optimize inputs while minimizing costs. As farmers begin to plan for the 2015 season, SST Software is seeing an increased interest in variable rate planting recommendations. SST’s decision support technologies are used by ag service providers around the world to provide precision ag services …

Agribusiness, Precision Agriculture, Seed

New Chairman of the Ag Retailers Association

Chuck Zimmerman

Now that we’ve heard from the past Chairman let’s hear from the new Chairman of the Agricultural Retailers Association. He’s Dave DuFault, Simplot, pictured on the left presenting a gift to now past Chairman Gary Farrell. Before the ceremonies took place I talked with Dave. In the coming year Dave says ARA will continue to move forward with the ResponsibleAg …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ARA, Audio

Past Chairman of the Ag Retailers Association

Chuck Zimmerman

He’s now the past Chairman of the Agricultural Retailers Association. He’s Gary Farrell (pictured left), Ag Enterprise Supply, who passed the gavel to the new Chairman, Dave DuFault, Simplot at the annual meeting in New Orleans. Prior to the ceremonies I visited with Gary and asked him what he was most proud of accomplishing during his term. He says it …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ARA, Audio

Yamaha’s Commitment to Agriculture

Jamie Johansen

Yamaha’s ATV/SxS marketing manager, Steve Nessl, stood in front of their brand new 2015 Viking VI while chatting with Chuck during the recent Trade Talk at the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s annual meeting. “It is the industry’s first true six passenger utility vehicle out there. Each person in the cabin has their own designated space. It’s not only …

Agribusiness, Audio, NAFB