#ProtectCropInsurance was the rallying cry for the troops at the recent Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) annual meeting, and this week’s release of the White House budget proposing deep cuts in the program illustrates what the industry is up against to continuing providing farmers with risk management tools. CIRB Executive Vice President Michael Torrey they are helping to educate …
Understanding Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus
Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus is a devastating disease in cattle. But many producers may not realize that Type 1b is the most common subtype of the disease. Dr. Steve Foulke with Boehringer Ingelheim said many vaccines do not even cover Type 1b. “The vaccines that are out there on the market contain Type 1a and Type 2a in them, …
Kentucky Ag Commissioner Talks Rural Infrastructure
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles was at the 2018 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville this week. But just a few days prior, he was among those meeting with President Trump for the unveiling of a rural infrastructure plan. “This President and his Administration have an emphasis on investing in Rural America. And farmers, as we know, are caretakers of …
Maintenance Products Keep Machines Running Smoothly
Farmers visiting the National Farm Machinery Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville have much more to look at than just equipment. The show is also an opportunity to consider maintenance products that help those machines to run smoothly, like oil and filters. “Farmers, like everybody, are looking for a way to save some money,” said Phil Lauer, product …
Fungicide Factors for Corn and Soybeans
Disease pressure continues to be a challenge for corn and soybean producers, with the pathogens varying based on the crop and the geography of the farm. Corn growers often fight northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot, southern corn rust and common rust. Soybean growers may battle white mold in the north and frog eye leaf spot further south. Regardless, …
RFA Honors Farmer Ron Alverson with Industry Award
During the 23rd Annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC), Ron Alverson, a farmer, founding member of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, and board member of Dakota Ethanol LLC, was presented the Renewable Fuels Association’s (RFA) 2018 Industry Award. The award is given annually to individuals that demonstrate great dedication and innovation within the industry. For more than 40 years, Alverson …
Fighting Bovine Respiratory Disease
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the leading cause of calf death after weaning. Boehringer Ingelheim takes a holistic approach when helping producers fight the disease, said Professional Services Veterinarian Dr. Rich Linhart. “We look at everything on the ranch, from personnel to feed bunk space to mud to wind to the way pens are set up, and cattle flow,” said …
Data Flow a Priority at Develop with Deere Conference
This year’s Develop with Deere conference in Kansas City was the biggest yet, showing growth in the demand for the opportunity to learn more about data flow and the tools available to help farmers make the most of the information they collect on their farms. “This conference is really valuable for the software companies to learn some of what not …
Farm Credit at #CattleCon18
During #CattleCon18 I visited with Farm Credit to learn what they are offering to cattle ranchers. I talked with Todd Moore (pictured), Farm Credit Mid-America, first and asked him what the message is for those attending. He says that with the volatility in cattle prices lender are talking to their customers and asking questions like, “Do they have a risk …
John Deere Collaborates with Dealers and Developers
Precision agriculture is giving farmers more and more tools to use in their operations, but it continues to be complex. That’s one reason the company has offered the Develop with Deere Conference to allow farmers, dealers and developers an opportunity to collaborate, said Deanna Kovar, director of production and precision ag marketing with John Deere. “It’s not just about John …