Monsanto FieldScripts Changing Testing Programs

Chuck Zimmerman

Monsanto’s new FieldScripts service, the first from their Integrated Farming Systems, is changing the company’s pipeline and testing programs. During our media visit at the Monsanto Huxley, IA location we learned more about this from Tracy Klingaman. In the video below you’ll see him talking in front of one of their field trial plots. Here’s how FieldScripts will work: The …

Agribusiness, Farm Progress Show, Precision Agriculture, Seed, Video

Mobile Technology the Future of Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

Float Mobile Learning has several new research papers available for purchase that deal with the use of mobile technology and agriculture. According to their infographic forty percent of farmers own a smartphone and ninety four percent own a mobile or smart phone. Of course we know it’s a lot and that’s why we went directly to an app so you …

Agribusiness, Apps, Farming, Technology

New Executive Director at WLIC

Melissa Sandfort

The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) recently announced the addition of Alan Clark as Executive Director. In his new role, Clark will be responsible for leading initiatives that strengthen the strategic plan of WLIC by providing operational oversight and direction in the use of financial, human and technology resources to effectively and efficiently achieve WLIC’s goals. Clark is a graduate …

Agribusiness, Livestock

Fiscal Year Comes to an End for GROWMARK

Jamie Johansen

August 31st marked the end to GROWMARK’s fiscal year. To mark the year end members from across the Midwest attended the 85th GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago. The meeting didn’t just consist of business reports and elections, laughter seemed to be a key element throughout the event. Comedian Jeanne Robertson was the highlight of the banquet Thursday evening and keynote …

Agribusiness, Audio, Cooperatives, GROWMARK

Become a Carbon Farmer

Joanna Schroeder

Do you ever sit around your kitchen table and contemplate other crops you might like to grow? Here is a novel idea – grow carbon. What you ask? Growers across the country are becoming carbon farmers as highlighted in the documentary film Carbon Nation. The film touts itself as a “climate change solutions movie that doesn’t even care if you …

Agribusiness, Education, Environment, Video

Learning about DeLaval

Chuck Zimmerman

How much do you know about DeLaval? Want to learn more? Then sit in on this press interview with President/CEO, Joakim Rosengren. For you ag journalists out there, this is another example of they type of opportunity that comes from participating in an annual IFAJ Congress. We conducted this interview during this year’s Congress while visiting the DeLaval Hamra Farm. …

Agribusiness, Audio, IFAJ, International

Meals in the Fields

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time for a meal in the field with the Farm Credit Services of Illinois. The 2012 National Farm Safety and Health Week will be celebrated September 16-22 with the theme “Agricultural Safety & Health: A Family Affair”. Even as the average size of farms continues to increase, 94% of all Illinois farms are family-owned. Most farm workers in Illinois …

Agribusiness, Food

IFAJ Boot Camp for Young Leaders

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s a reason why I support the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. It is because of programs like the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism awards. These winners attend a pre-Congress Boot Camp. The winners participate in a two-day boot camp to develop their professional skills in agricultural journalism and get a broader global perspective in agricultural communication. The first …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Education, IFAJ, International, Media

Apples to iPods Contest

Melissa Sandfort

Vermont’s pick-your-own orchards will offer a chance to win an iPod during the Apples to iPods promotion that kicks off next week. In this technology-meets-agriculture contest, one specially marked wooden apple is hidden in an apple tree at 20 Vermont pick-your-own apple orchards. The lucky apple picker who finds a wooden apple wins an Apple iPod, iPod Shuffle or iPad. …

Agribusiness

FMC Announces Finalists in Anthem Contest

Melissa Sandfort

After receiving more than 155,000 votes in the “Stand and Be Heard Anthem Singing Contest,” FMC Agricultural Products Group (APG) announces the four finalists to continue on in the competition. Allison Nohre from De Pere, Wis.; Lexie Sistrunk from Oak Grove, La.; Jessica Smith from Picayune, Miss.; and Katie Wesler from Birmingham, Ala.; have been selected as finalists by popular …

Agribusiness, FMC