When many people hear the term disruptive innovation, they think of Silicon Valley start-ups in the 90s that changed the way we deliver information and communicate. But like many things born in California, disruptive innovation is just not limited to Silicon Valley and technology parks. Coined in 1995 by Clayton M. Christensen, disruptive innovation describes a process by which a …
AEM Launches Ag Infrastructure Challenge at #RuralSummit
The first annual Rural Infrastructure Summit kicked off this afternoon in Ames, Iowa with big news – the launch of the agriculture Infrastructure Vision 2050 (IV2050) Challenge. The news was delivered by Lief Magnusson, President, CLASS Global Sales Americas and Chair of the Association Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) who sponsored the summit with support from Agri-Pulse. IV2050 is a thought leadership …
2016 John Deere Product Reveal #JDReveal
John Deere is hosting agricultural media at their Des Moines Works facility in Ankeny, IA for a look at new products. Follow the #JDReveal hashtag to see their tweets. I’m going to be collecting interviews this afternoon after a plant tour and some class room time with product presenters. Welcoming us to the event today was Rosalind Fox, Factory Manager. …
Report Projects Increased Challenges For Ag Retailers
A new report from CoBank has revealed that accounts receivable at farm supply co-ops and other ag retailers are growing, and so are the challenges they face. The report shows that retailers are adjusting to a tougher economic environment accompanying the down-phase of the current ag commodity cycle, as current headwinds are directly related to the sharp decline in commodity …
Culver’s Grows 19 “Thank You Farmers” Mazes
From food to fuel, there are more than 4,000 uses for corn across the world. This year Culver’s restaurants added one more use to the list: thanking farmers. The restaurant chain wouldn’t be what it is today without the hardworking farmers who grow the food that’s proudly served in its restaurants. That’s why Culver’s worked with farmers across the country …
#IFAJ2016 Tour – Part 9 – Bayer ForwardFarming
With only a few episodes left in my series from the 2016 IFAJ Congress Bayer Tours we’ll continue the focus on the Bayer ForwardFarming Initiative. In this episode we got a look at the the bigger picture in Germany which includes Damianshof Farm near Neuss. Walking us through the overview was Belinda Geisen-Druse. In Germany there are 22 farms that …
#IFAJ2016 Bayer Tour – Part 8 – ForwardFarming Initiative
Let’s turn to the Bayer ForwardFarming Initiative in this episode of my tour during the IFAJ Congress in Germany. We got our look at the concept on Damianshof Farm near Neuss. Our host was farm manager Bernd Olligs. His family has managed the farm for six generations and he inherited ownership from his mother. On Bernd’s farm they grow sugar …
Farm Credit System Celebrates 100 Years
FCS Financial and the Farm Credit System have spent the last year celebrating their 100-year anniversary. To recognize this occasion, FCS Financial invited all of their member-owners to celebrate with them at the Missouri State Fair. Events for member-owners took place throughout the day along with receiving meal vouchers and admission tickets to the fair. This was just one festivity …
International Drone Expo 2016 – New & Upgraded Activations
International Drone Expo (IDE) has new and upgraded show activations for 2016. IDE will host its first annual Drone Race Cup, a pitchfest competition and film showcase. The third annual IDE is set to take place December 9-10, 2016 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Championship IDE drone race cup is one of the few sanctioned in Los Angeles. …
Talking Weeds at Bayer Showcase Plot Tours
To start the day off in Athens, IL., one of the stops in the Bayer Showcase Plot Tours, Dr. Aaron Hager, University of Illinois, talked weed control with growers and retailers in attendance. Key weeds Dr. Hager highlighted included marestail, palmer amaranth and water hemp. Two-way resistance is commonly seen in fields across the country, but Dr. Hager talked about …