It’s time to look forward to the 2012 National Agriculture Day activities in Washington, DC. Things kick off on Thursday morning and I’ll be there again this year courtesy of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and Agriculture Council of America. In a look ahead to this week’s activities I visited with Julie Douglas, Communications Director, ASTA, during Commodity Classic …
What’s New With Wheat
Caught up with the execs of the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates at the 2012 Commodity Classic to find out what’s new with wheat. What’s really new for NAWG is a brand new scholarship program with BASF just announced at the Classic, and CEO Dana Peterson says they are happy about the scholarship but sad about …
BASF Promotes Applicator Training
Fighting herbicide resistant weeds depends as much on the proper application techniques and equipment as it does on using the right products. BASF Crop Protection has partnered with application technology specialist Dr. Bob Wolf, retired Professor Emeritus of Kansas State University, to help growers get the most out of their pesticides by using best application practices with the On Target …
Tornado Warning at Commodity Classic
We just got the All Clear on a tornado warning that happened at about 3:45pm. I was in the trade show area when it happened. I certainly hope the tornado that was sighted caused no damage or injuries. We’ve got some severe weather still on the outlook for later today too. Everyone got herded into a very large and empty …
2012 Farm Bill Priorities From Commodity Classic Groups
It’s almost like a tradition now. The Presidents of the farm organizations that participate in Commodity Classic take the stage for a few minutes of lighthearted discussion about their priorities. Emceeing the general session with them this year again was Mark Mayfield. You can listen to their interaction below. All of the organizations released a joint statement yesterday about their …
Ag Secretary Hits Right Notes at Classic in Nashville
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was interrupted by applause several times during his address at the 2012 Commodity Classic in Nashville Friday as he hit the right notes for corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum producers. Someone in the crowd shouted “Amen” when Vilsack said, “This country also needs a new generation of farmers,” noting that something needs to be done about …
BASF Presents Research on New Fungicides
Last year at Commodity Classic, the buzz from BASF Crop Protection was the new fungicide chemistry Xemium. This year it’s new products incorporating that chemistry. With the results of field trials from the 2011 season now available, three years of research show Priaxor™ fungicide and Merivon® fungicide provided effective disease control and consistent yield increases in a wide range of …
New Holland Announces Major National Campaign
New Holland has some big news and Abe Hughes, VP, New Holland North America, says it is their marketing development fund campaign which kicks off now. It’s a national advertising campaign in collaboration with New Holland dealers. As he puts it, “It’s a campaign to show that blue is back.” Abe is in the cab of a New Holland T9 …
New Holland Rustler Winner
His was the first name called and his name is Paul Casper, South Dakota. Paul was the winner of a brand new New Holland Rustler this afternoon at the close of today’s trade show session at Commodity Classic. A big crowd was on hand to see the drawing. Here’s a picture of Paul receiving the key to his New Holland …
BASF Supports Scholars with ASA, NCGA and Now NAWG
BASF Crop Protection is expanding its support of young people pursuing careers in agriculture by joining with the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) Foundation to establish a memorial scholarship to honor longtime wheat industry friend and BASF employee Jerry Minore. As a BASF Senior Market Manager, Minore was a liaison to the wheat industry, including NAWG and the Foundation, …