Farming isn’t just a national need, it’s an international need. That’s why the U.S. Agency for International Development is helping Bolivians meet their farming needs, while helping American consumers meet their need for sweet onions, chili peppers, peanuts and more. More than 150 tons of sweet onions are giving some Bolivian farmers a $340,000 harvest. The recent bountiful shipment to …
Are Ag Journalists in Danger?
The latest issue of the IFAJ newsletter contains an interesting survey. It’s really just one question, “What dangers do you face in your work as an agricultural journalist or editor?” The choices are: You may choose more than one answer. Failing to try new ideas Budget cuts Media convergence Losing journalistic integrity Freedom of expression Emergence of new media – …
CNH Tractor Building in Iraq
It sounds like things continue to progress in Iraq. This isn’t the kind of news you’ll see on the evening news. CNH International announced today the completed purchase of equipment that has restarted tractor assembly operations at the State Company for Mechanical Industries (SCMI), an agricultural machinery manufacturing facility in Iskandiriyah, Iraq. The U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Task Force …
Agri-Culture: Curry Red
Have you ever wondered where red curry get it’s color. It comes from the chalky red seeds of what my guide called the “curry plant”. My research shows that his “curry plant” is not the same plant known as the curry plant in English. Nor is it the same as the curry tree. I couldn’t quite identify what we call …
Agri-Culture: Going Bananas
Bananas are a staple of Southeast Asia. In Thailand, small crepes stuffed with bananas, chocolate and condensed milk are popular treats and are often the staple for the average backpacker. Banana shakes are also a favorite. (Personally, I go for banana-coconut shakes.) The same goes for Cambodia as well as Vietnam. Although, neither of those countries offer “banana pancakes” that …
Agri-Culture: Viet Tea
Tea is just as common of a drink in Vietnam as coffee. Well, green tea that is. Vietnamese black tea is used for exports. But the green tea is a local favorite. At most restaurants, you get Vietnamese tea free with every meal. Some restaurants serve better local tea than others. Sometimes, it can be quite bland. Other times, the …
Hey Pumpkin, Visit Austria/Slovenia
Yes, pumpkin. They’re big in the part of the world that this year’s IFAJ Congress is taking place. Two countries for the price of one. Listen to this week’s program to find out more. Cindy and I are hoping to attend this year and sample what Dr. Franz Fischler says are some of their exceptional wines. This morning I talked …
Agri-Culture: The Vietnamese Coffee Bean
I didn’t just see hills covered in coffee plants during my motorcycle excursion through central Vietnam. I also witnessed just how the locals dry their beans. No, there are no big factories or warehouses with some sort of huge electrical dryers as you might imagine. The Vietnamese way isn’t quite so fancy or complicated. The locals just lay some tarp …
New Holland in Thailand
I’m sure most of you didn’t know this, but I haven’t quite made it back home from the Agritechnica event I covered in Germany in early November. In fact, I’ve only ventured further from home… all the way to Thailand. My first impression of farming in Thailand left me thinking that most of the farming operations were small and local, …
Ulitmately the Consumer will have to pay more…..
Harry Siemens – As we come to the end of this year, several thoughts come to mind. The first is how things have changed for the main sectors in agriculture: Grain and special crops and the cattle and hog industries. Twelve months ago, the grains industry was wondering what 2007 would be like prices wise, having just come off an …