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Growing Point Offers Virtual Plot Tours

Chuck Zimmerman

Pioneer's Growing Point WebsiteYou have to have a password to get into the Pioneer Growing Point Website but inside you’ll find a pretty cool feature right now. Virtual Plot Tours. I know they’re not a “new” thing but these are very well done in my opinion. They’re short videos that let you see the product in action and then there’s a ton of support information available. It’s also done by hybrid number so of course there’s lots of videos!

Agribusiness

Spamalot In South Korea

Chuck Zimmerman

Spam ProductsI don’t know if you’ve ever tasted Spam but the United States isn’t the only country that consumes a lot of it. According to a story in the Seattle Times, South Korea is the largest market outside the United States with sales of $136 million. What’s even more interesting is that it’s often bought as a gift.

Agribusiness

A-Mazing Family Fun At Geisler Farms

Chuck Zimmerman

Geisler Farms CornmazeThis is a-mazing. And a really cool corn maze. Darrell Geisler is not only a corn grower but now he’s into agritourism. The eight-acre maze provides a rural adventure for visitors. “As our area becomes more urban, we wanted to provide a place for our neighbors to experience the farm and understand agriculture’s impact on our local economy since we are just 14 miles northeast of Des Moines,” Geisler said. “Plus, the corn maze has made it easier for my daughter and son-in-law to get involved in the family business. My daughter designed the corn maze, which maps out a scarecrow, barn, field and sponsor logos, including NK® Brand Seeds.”

Agribusiness, Farming

Monsanto Sticky Traps Catch Variants

Chuck Zimmerman

MonsantoThe latest Talking News Release we distributed this week was from Monsanto. The topic was research from their sticky traps program to see if western corn rootworm beetles are present in soybean fields. I think this is a very interesting story. These western corn rootworm “variants” have adapted their reproductive practices by laying their eggs in soybean fields in order to survive field rotations between corn and soybeans. The variant eggs hatch during the spring, after the field has been rotated back to corn, resulting in larval feeding in first-year corn, which is not a good thing. These are some smart pests!

Agribusiness, Audio