ASTA CSS in Chicago this week brought together a panel of experts to talk about the future of gene editing and it’s role in the agriculture industry. “Plant breeding is an evolving practice. It’s an evolving science.” said American Seed Trade Association President and CEO Andy LaVigne. “Plant breeding builds upon itself.” LaVigne outlined the milestones in plant breeding, beginning …
The Ag Outlook at #ASTACSS
The perennial highlight of the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo is Dan Basse with Ag Resource Company with his global ag outlook. No one can cram as much information into a one hour presentation as Dan Basse! Despite the downturn in the farm economy domestically, Basse says it was better on a global scale. “If you’re sitting in Brazil, Russia, …
Measure, Model, Fix – Big Data’s Role in Animal Ag
When the term ‘big data’ is used in agriculture, we generally think crops. However, we are hearing it more and more in animal agriculture circles. “Big data and models: Are they really useful in disease management?” turned the conversation towards swine health at the 2016 North American PRRS Symposium as Dr. Jim Lowe, University of Illinois, took the stage during …
Changing of the Chairs at #ARA2016
A new chairman for the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) took the gavel last week during the organization’s annual meeting in Orlando. BRANDT Chief Operating Officer Tim McArdle received the gavel from Harold Cooper, CEO of Premier Ag Co-Op, and will serve a one-year term. “I’m incredibly humbled to take on this role and I look forward to working with ARA …
Moving the Middle at #ASTACSS
Tim Hassigner with Dow AgroSciences was at ASTA CSS & Seed Expo to talk with members of the seed industry about the gap in information between themselves and consumers. “It’s definitely a time when there’s more questions and concerns related to food, but […] information sharing can make a difference,” he told the audience durning the morning session. The consumer …
Topguard® EQ Fungicide at #ARA2016
FMC Corporation just launched its new Topguard® EQ fungicide premix last month so it was a hot topic at the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) convention last week. “We’re launching it in the 2017 planting season for corn and soybeans but it’s going to have a fantastic label…so we’re really excited about what Topguard EQ is going to bring to the …
Ag Economic Outlook at #ARA2016
If there is one word to describe the current economic outlook for agriculture it would probably be uncertain, according to Terry Barr, Senior Director for the Knowledge Exchange Division of CoBank. “We’re entering into a fairly dynamic period of uncertain political and economic realities,” said Barr, who spoke to a standing room only crowd at last week’s Ag Retailers Association …
Swine Health Monitoring Project Update
The 2016 North American PRRS Symposium took place over the weekend in Chicago, IL and researchers and swine vets from across the globe gathered to continue the control of the deadly swine disease. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) once again sponsored a session focused on prevention. Bob Morrison, University of Minnesota, started off the morning by giving an update on …
GROWMARK and FS Support Pollinator Literacy in Illinois
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) programs are buzzing with an increased emphasis on pollinators, thanks to GROWMARK and its FS member cooperatives. At the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) annual meeting this week, GROWMARK Corporate Relations and Foundation Manager Amy Bradford announced new collaborative efforts focused on activities and education related to the importance of pollinators. “We place a high …
Political Insights from #ARA2016 Keynote
Stuart Rothenberg knows the word “nonpartisan” is suspect, but as the Founding Editor of The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, that’s what he strives to be. In his recent keynote address to the members of the Agricultural Retailers Association meeting this week in Orlando, Rothenberg talked about the recent Presidential election, and how it was big in more ways than …