2012 was a good year for Swanson Russell. The agency turned 50 and for the first time surpassed $100 million in capitalized billings. Capitalized billings are an industry standard used by agencies as a uniform means of comparing agencies that offer a variety of services. “In our industry, becoming a $100 million agency is a significant milestone,” said Dave Hansen, …
XL Solutions at Raven Industries
Experts in Raven Industries’ applied sciences division have been busy bringing new and innovative technologies to the door step of growers across the country. The 2013 Commodity Classic was the place to display these new products and Raven Industries was there to do so. I spoke with Paul Welbig who oversees a lot of the product management issues at Raven. …
Monsanto Xtend’s Products for Growers
The team at Monsanto is excited to start talking about their new line of products called Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System. Their goal is to help maximize yield potential and weed control through effective and economical weed management. During the recent Commodity Classic, Chuck talked with Michelle Vigna, a Monsanto representative, about the product’s features and when growers can take …
Precise Disk Drills from New Holland
Just how important is it to plant seeds precisely as you’d like to? Very important. That’s why New Holland has come out with a new series of disk drills. Whether seeding into summerfallow or stubble, New Holland’s new P2000 Series disk drills slice through crop residue to ensure precise, uniform seed placement with very low soil disturbance. Both the new …
ASTA Seed Treatment Guide
A guide to seed treatment stewardship is a new project by the American Seed Trade Association along with a collaboration of seed companies, researchers and organizations like CropLife America, National Corn Growers Association and Farm Bureau. Growers will soon find “The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship” online. I spoke with Andy Lavigne, ASTA President/CEO, during Commodity Classic about this project …
Soybean Farmers Set Policy Course
Voting delegates of the American Soybean Association (ASA) set policy regarding a comprehensive long-term farm bill, as well as additional critical soybean industry priorities, such as exports and trade, transportation and biotechnology, during its annual meeting at the 2013 Commodity Classic last week. “The resolutions process is a great reminder that ASA’s policies come directly from the ground up,” said …
Farm Bill Top Priority for Corn Growers
As it was last year at this time, getting a new farm bill was the top priority for delegates to the National Corn Growers Association Corn Congress policy meeting last week during the 2013 Commodity Classic. NCGA President Pam Johnson says NCGA supports fundamental changes to farm programs that include effective and affordable federal crop insurance to provide assistance only …
Beck’s Hybrids Shares Positive Outlook for 2013
If you you missed the Beck’s Hybrids booth during last week’s Commodity Classic, then you weren’t looking hard enough. They were the ones raffling off the beautiful 2012 Limited Edition Camero Panther for the charity We Care for Orphans. And when I spoke with Ashly Fischer, Marketing Associate & Show Coordinator for Beck’s Hybrids, they had almost met their goal …
Happy 150th Birthday Bayer!
Bayer is celebrating 150 years of “Science for a Better Life.” “Not too many companies really have that heritage and we’re really proud of that because that really describes our long term commitment,” said David Hollinrake, VP of Agricultural Commercial Operations Marketing for Bayer CropScience. While agriculture is just one segment of Bayer, it is a significant one. “Agriculture is …
Propane’s New Role on the Farm
The trade show at the recent Commodity Classic was the place to share new and innovative products for growers and the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) was among exhibitors who used that to their advantage. PERC is a checkoff, like many other agricultural organization. They use their funds to invest in research and safety training programs to educate the …