2010 World Food Prize Laureate Rev. David Beckmann says hunger in America is a key issue that should be addressed in the 2012 election. “About one in five of our children live in households that run out of food,” said Beckmann, who is executive director of Bread for the World. “On the other hand, I think the safety net programs …
Elanco Part of Global Harvest Initiative
The Global Harvest Initiative (GHI) is a private-sector voice for productivity growth throughout the agricultural value chain to sustainably meet the demands of a growing world. The initiative, established in 2009, includes agricultural industry stakeholders such as DuPont, John Deere, Monsanto and now Elanco. “This is the first time for Elanco joining this effort,” said GHI board member Claudia Garcia, …
Nestle’ Chair Addresses World Food Prize
The 2012 World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue kicked off in Des Moines Wednesday with an address by Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman of the Nestlé Group, who gave his broader view on food security and nutrition. Brabeck said that as per capita income increases in developing countries, people are no longer satisfied with a bowl of rice a day. “No, they want …
Report on Global Agricultural Productivity
Today the Global Harvest Initiative (GHI) released its 3rd annual Global Agricultural Productivity Report (GAP Report) during the World Food Prize Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa. The GAP Report details efforts to increase global agricultural productivity, and notes that despite gains, it may not be enough especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, and other regions to meet demand. During a …
Winterize Farm Equipment With Slip Plate
With the fall harvest ending in the near future it’s time to look at winterizing all that equipment. That means you need a good lubricant and that means you might want to check out Slip Plate. You can find out all they ways you can use this product from Superior Graphite on their website. Go ahead. Visit now. Here are …
Soybeans Up, Corn Crop Down a Bit
The October USDA crop production report out this morning took a little bit more off the corn crop but increased the soybean crop by nine percent. Corn production is forecast at 10.7 billion bushels, down slightly from the September forecast and down 13 percent from 2011. This represents the lowest production in the United States since 2006. Based on conditions …
Start Clean Now for Spring Planting
Farmers are being encouraged to start clean for next year’s planting season, and now is the time to get a handle on tough weeds. Tom Rothman with Minnesota Farm Network recently spoke with Monsanto’s Ryan Rector about why weed control in the fall is important and what tools growers have to help them be proactive when it comes to weed …
Romney Outlines Rural Policy Positions
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney put his focus on agriculture and rural policy on Tuesday with the release of an agricultural policy white paper and a visit to an Iowa farm. Romney’s “vision for a vibrant rural America” includes tax policies to support family farms, expanding agricultural trade, achieving energy independence by 2020, and creating a commonsense regulatory environment. “The …
Meet the New NCBA Communications Director
Members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) probably know Chase Adams, who has been a farm broadcaster with KBHB radio in Sturgis, South Dakota for the past eight years. But, Chase just left the Black Hills behind him and moved inside the Beltway to become the new Director of Communications for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), filling …
Iowa BASF Great Grower Happy With Yields
The Iowa harvest is coming along well ahead of schedule according to the latest USDA numbers – 56% of corn harvested compared to 8% average for this time of year and soybeans are 54% harvested compared to 21% average. The condition of the crops is not as bad as some of the Corn Belt states, although nearly half the corn …