The 2010 Farm Progress Show is a wrap and even with some weather issues it was a good one. To wrap it all up I spoke with Show Manager, Matt Jungmann. He says that after 4 inches of rain on Tuesday night, what they accomplished on Wednesday was like a miracle. Since that overnight rain incident everything went very well. …
I Scream for Ice Cream
You scream, I scream we all screamed for ice cream during this year’s Farm Progress Show. The weather may have been damp and somewhat dreary, but it didn’t stop the crowds from enjoying some homemade ice cream from Beekmans Homemade Ice Cream. They made vanilla, chocolate, peach, and raspberry delights right on site. All the ingredients came from local farmers …
American Soybean Association Update
Commodity group leaders always make time to visit with the media at Farm Progress Show. One of them I spoke with yesterday was Rob Joslin, President, American Soybean Association. Rob is a soybean grower from Ohio. In the photo he’s on the left and speaking with Stu Ellis. I asked him about the issues that ASA is working on and …
New Holland NH2 Helping Achieve The Independent Energy Farm
One of the coolest examples of new technology on display at the Farm Progress Show is the New Holland NH2 hydrogen powered tractor. Paul Trella, New Holland, told me all about it on video this morning. He says the tractor is part of their effort to help create the energy independent farm. The tractor is not in commercial production but …
Success of Ethanol Important for Corn Farmers
“We need ethanol to be able to use up the excess corn,” began Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey during a press conference at the Farm Progress Show hosted by Growth Energy. “That’s what started ethanol in the 1980s. Farmers said we’re tired of $1.50, $1.30 corn prices and we’re going to build an industry to use of some of the …
Visiting With Senator Grassley At Farm Progress Show
Iowa’s Senator Chuck Grassley spent some time at the Farm Progress Show. I caught up to him and found out that he had been checking out all the new technology on display at the show. When it comes to Washington, DC policy and specifically energy policy he provided an update of what we might expect in coming weeks. In September …
Pioneer Hi-Bred Announces IMPACT at Farm Progress Show
Pioneer Hi-Bred announced IMPACT today. That’s Intensively Managed Product Advancement, Characterization and Training trials. The announcement was made at a press event in their exhibit at the Farm Progress Show. I spoke with Brent Wilson about the new initiative. You can listen to him describe what this means for Pioneer’s customers in my interview below. Pioneer Hi-Bred announced plans to …
Novus Invests in Aquaculture Future
As the world produces more and more fish protein to feed a growing population, Novus International is helping to feed those fish more efficiently and sustainably. Did you know that aquaculture is the fastest growing segment of the animal production industry? But, like every other segment, aquaculture producers are facing the challenge of expanding to feed a growing population and …
Former Governor Branstand Running For Governor
It’s not just farmers who visit the Farm Progress Show. Politicians have a great opportunity to interact with constituents and prospective voters. One of them is former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad who is hoping to become Governor again! Terry is pictured second from the left with his new Pioneer Hi-Bred cap. I spoke with him after our photo opp. He …
Welcome To Iowa and Barilla Pasta
Jim Middendorf is an ambassador for the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau. He was just one of the people welcoming the exhibitors in the Farm Progress Show to Iowa. Tonight we had the annual exhibitors dinner and reception. Jim also had a present for us. Barilla pasta! He says a woman came by earlier and after trying some locally produced …