As part of the 2013 North American PRRS Symposium, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health hosted the BIVI PRRS ARC&E Seminar. It was a morning full of experts discussing PRRS Area Regional Control, as well as what is being done in the field. The morning started off with Dr. Rodger Main, Director of the Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory at Iowa State University. He …
Seed Treatment in Modern Crop Production
At the end of last week Croplife Foundation released a new report, “The Role of Seed Treatment in Modern U.S. Crop Production.” The report contains extensive information on the benefits of seed treatment for growers, consumers and the environment. Some of the topics covered in the report include: Grower benefits – Seed treatments offer effective control against early-season pests and …
Vicki’s Wicked Potions
I recently mentioned a wonderful bloody mary mix that paired well with Organic Ocean Vodka. It’s called Bloody Brew by Vicki’s Wicked Potions in Pensacola, FL. It is good stuff. Good enough that I went back to Palafox Market on Saturday to pick up a case! Vicki’s Wicked Potions is owned and brewed by Randy & Vicki Compton, seen here …
ASTA CSS 2013 Preview
When I talked with American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CEO Andy LaVinge at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting the 2013 CSS & Seed Expo was still three weeks away, but all of the sudden it’s next week already! I am heading to Chicago for the 68th annual Corn and Sorghum Seed Research Conference/43rd Soybean Seed Research Conference on …
RFS Hearing Goes 12 Hours, Draws Hundreds
Over 140 stakeholders testified at a hearing Thursday on the Environmental Protection Agency proposal to lower the biofuels targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2014, and those opposed to the plan outnumbered those in favor by a ratio of more than two to one. “More than 100 of the 144 speakers support #ethanol, #biodiesel & advanced biofuels,” tweeted …
BCS Communications Celebrates Ten Years
In this week’s program we’ll help celebrate BCS Communications ten year anniversary. They actually celebrated quite a bit last night but I couldn’t be there. It was their annual holiday open house. However, a lot of people were there including surprise guest Robert De Niro (red jacket). So, congratulations to the agency for this milestone celebration. We’ve got a few …
EPA Hearing on Biofuels to Draw Big Crowd
A huge turnout is expected Thursday at a public hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations for 2014. Literally busloads of stakeholders, both opposed to and in favor of cutting the requirements, are attending the hearing at the Hyatt in Crystal City, Virginia. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will be attending with several Iowa livestock producers, …
Lowering Biofuels Targets Could Hurt Farmers
Representatives from state government, the agriculture community, and the ethanol industry all say the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuels requirements would have a negative impact on agriculture and rural economies. During a telephone press discussion today about the proposal Iowa Governor Terry Branstad said he was proud of his state’s leadership in biofuels production and …
Research, Promotion & Education at Pork Board
The National Pork Board is the entity that conducts research, provides education and promotes the product. They were at the recent NAFB Convention and I caught up with them during the always busy, yet fun and exciting Trade Talk. Dale Norton, Vice President of the National Pork Board, farms with his brother in Michigan and has been a part of …
Canadian Farmers Have Record Year
Canadian farmers harvested record crops this season, according to the latest report out today from Statistics Canada. Production of most field crops increased this year in Canada compared with 2012 with both canola and wheat production reaching record levels. Canola production increased 29.5% from 2012 to a record 18.0 million tonnes with a record average yield of 40.0 bushels per …