Record Year for Farmland Preservation in Pennsylvania

Laura McNamara

Pennsylvania is securing more farms under it’s nationally recognized Farmland Preservation Program. The state has announced that this year 351 farms have been protected. “Once again, we’ve shown our commitment to the future of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry with the preservation of another 5,234 acres of quality farmland for a total of 33,445 acres this year,” Governor Edward G. Rendell said. …

Agribusiness, Farm Policy, Farming

Altorfer Lets Farmers Customize

Laura McNamara

It’s about what the farmers want for Altofer Inc. The Midwest-based farm machinery dealer has introduced the new No Drift mojoRTK Auto-steer by Leica Geosystems. Altofer says the new mojoRTK is the first system of its kind to allow farmers to buy a system taylored for their specific needs. The new mojoRTK is the first auto-steer system that allows farmers …

Agribusiness, Equipment, Farming, Technology

Dairy Producer Wins Lawn Tractor

Melissa Sandfort

ANIMART, Inc. has announced David Hemann with Double H Dairy of Greenwood, Wisc., won the grand-prize of the 2007 ANIMART/Cydectin Fall Deworming Promotion. Hemann was awarded on Christmas Eve a new 2008 John Deere LA 115 Lawn Tractor worth nearly $2,000. Hemann operates a 95-cow dairy with his wife Linda and son Allen and his wife Karen and their children …

Dairy, Farming

New Website Monitors Invasive Species for Farmers

Laura McNamara

Farmers in Pennsylvania wanting to track where and when invasive species are, well, cropping up in crops now have a new tool online. Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff has announced the launch of the new invasive species council website. Producers and consumers can learn how Pennsylvania is protecting against invasive plants, animals and insects by logging on to the new Invasive …

Farming

2007 National Corn Yield Contest Winners

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association has announced the Corn Yield Contest winners. Not only was the number of entries higher than ever before, but several entrants scored yields of more than double the estimated average. The 27 winners in nine production categories had verified yields averaging more than 298 bushels per acre, compared to the estimated national average of 153 …

Ag Groups, Corn, Farming

Organic Beef or Green Beef?

Laura McNamara

A new Beef Eco-Report suggests that “green” food isn´t necessarily organic food and conscious consumers might have to start choosing between the two. Analysts at the Hudson Institute‘s Center for Global Food Issues say that beef produced with grains and growth hormones produces 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions and saves two-thirds more land for nature as compared to organic …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Beef, Environment, Farming, Food, Publication, Research

Farmers in Midwest Have New Reason to Invest Ethanol Crops

Laura McNamara

The Midwest is getting three new ethanol production plants. Washington Group International has received $150 million worth of cost-reimbursable contracts from E85 Inc. for the construction of E85’s first three ethanol plants in the Midwest region. Washington Group will provide procurement, construction, commissioning, and start-up services for the facilities in Wahoo, Neb., and Red Oak and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Each …

Agribusiness, Corn, Ethanol, Farming

Iowa Woman Recognized for Promoting Farm Safety

Laura McNamara

Voters nationwide are nominating their picks for 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards and one of the semifinalists is an Iowa woman being recognized for promoting farm safety and health. Marilyn Adams has been selected as one of the nation’s top 40 heroes for her creation of a non-profit organization that works to educate children about farm safety and health. …

Ag Groups, Education, Equipment, Farming

Feeding Cull Cows

Laura McNamara

Cull cows and their feeding habits are at the center of research underway at North Dakota State University’s Hettinger Research Extension Center. The study is being done in cooperation with South Dakota State University. The Center’s Michelle Stamm says the multi-state southwest feeders project is monitoring the feeding of a group of cull cows for 100 days and then will …

Agribusiness, Farming, Livestock, Research

Urban Farming gives Chicagoans Second Chance

Laura McNamara

Farming is hard, rewarding work and Growing Home Inc. is giving Chicagoans in search of a job a chance to reap the rewards of work in the field. But, this field will be farmed in the city. Hoop houses are erected on the site and collards, kale, mustard greens, salad mix and spinach are a good example of the crops …

Environment, Farming, Food, Organic