Fueling the Farm Progress Show

Jamie Johansen

fps-13-685-editedYou can only imagine the fuel consumption during the Farm Progress Show. GROWMARK and FS have sponsored the fuel for the largest outdoor farm show for the last 30 years and expect to go through about 2,500 gallons this year. That amount is down from previous years because the field demonstrations had to be cancelled.

Gerald Doty retired from the cooperative seven years ago and was asked to come back and run the fueling station. He eagerly agreed to do a it for three years, but has been here ever since. Gerald said it was a great opportunity for him to stay in-touch with the industry.

“GROWMARK and FS have sponsored fuel for the Farm Progress Show for over 30 years. Typically they would get 50 gallons of free fuel in exchange for us putting a fueled by FS sticker on their equipment, but this year because there wasn’t any field demonstrations we have cut that back to 25 gallons. Here we do this in cooperation with Evergreen FS. Evergreen FS takes care of all the fuel needs inside the fences and we take care of the equipment they need for demonstrations and golf carts.”

Listen to my interview with Gerald here: Interview with Gerald Doty

Check out photos from the event here:2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Audio, Cooperatives, FS System, GROWMARK

Bayer Markets New Wheat Herbicide

Kristyn Stidham

9612299838_5841056bce_b (250x166)Bayer CropScience released the new Huskie Complete this year. Cereal Herbicides Product Manager for Bayer, Thorsten Schwindt, was very excited to talk about the product here in Decatur, IL at the Farm Progress Show.

A few years back, Bayer released a product called Huskie. The product was successful, but Bayer decided to do some research to extend the product beyond just broad leaf weed control. Huskie Complete is essentially the same product as Huskie, plus one more mode of action for grass control in spring, winter, and durham wheat.

“We believe it’s the most complete herbicide solution and the fantastic thing about Huskie Complete is that it’s all in one product,” said Schwindt.

According to Schwindt, growers have responded positively. He hopes the new hassle free, all-in-one product will continue to benefit growers in the industry.

Listen to my interview with Thorsten here: Interview with Thorsten Schwindt

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Audio, Bayer, Farm Progress Show, weed management, Wheat

NAMA at Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA at FPSThe National Agri-Marketing Association held a reception for agrimarketers attending the 2013 Farm Progress Show. Here’s some of the group that showed up to get out of the sun and enjoy some fun and fellowship.

Efforts like this are part of NAMA’s efforts to reach out to other organizations and find ways to collaborate. It is also a great way to introduce more people to NAMA and encourage membership. The reception was sponsored by Heartland NAMA.

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Farm Progress Show, NAMA

Illinois Governor Visits Farm Progress Show

Leah Guffey

fps13-governorIllinois Governor Pat Quinn visited the 2013 Farm Progress Show in Decatur this week to honor the memory of a show supporter and to launch a statewide cover crop demonstration project.

The governor proclaimed August 28 as “Emmett Sefton Day” in Illinois in honor of the man who helped secure Decatur as the show location.  Emmett’s family was on hand to accept the proclamation from Governor Quinn as well as local leaders from nearby Richland Community College.  Quinn says, “Illinois farmers have been quick to adopt proven technologies, and each year the Farm Progress Show gives them an opportunity to compare the latest equipment and evaluate the newest field trials of seed varieties and production methods.”

The Farm Progress show alternates each year between Decatur, Ill. and Boone, Iowa. The Decatur site, dubbed “Progress City,” was first used in 2005 and expanded for the 2007 show to host more than 600 exhibitors and record numbers of show visitors. Sefton, a member of the Richland Agriculture Advisory Committee who passed away earlier this summer, was pivotal in securing Decatur as the show site every other year. Governor Pat Quinn press conference

Special thanks to Jeff Nalley, Cromwell Ag Radio Network, for sharing his audio of the governor!

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Audio, Farm Progress Show

Corn Growers Strong at Farm Progress Show

Cindy Zimmerman

fps13-ncga-2The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Pam Johnson of Iowa and First Vice President Martin Barbre in his home state of Illinois were visiting with farmers and the media at the Farm Progress Show this week.

The farm bill is still a big concern for the corn growers and Pam says they are “not waiting very patiently anymore” for Congress to get the job done. They are strongly encouraging all members to contact their representatives during this August recess and urge them to make some real progress during the few days they are in session during September.

When it comes to membership, NCGA is now over 40,000 strong, which is a lot of voices that can make a big difference. “Our association has shown membership growth every year for the past 15 years,” Martin said. “Makes us feel like we’re really doing our job, really promoting the policy that the members create and making it happen.”

Pam and Martin also talk about the Renewable Fuel Standard, trade, WRDA and biotechnology in the interview and press conference below.

Interview with Pam Johnson and Martin Barbre Press conference with Pam Johnson and Martin Barbre

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Audio, Corn, Farm Progress Show, NCGA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Syngenta announced the launch of “Know More, Grow More,” a comprehensive online resource providing growers a birds-eye view of what’s happening across crops to aid management decisions.
  • Lessing-Flynn Advertising earned the position of No. 4216 on the 2013 Inc. 500 list, which recognizes the fastest growing private entities in the country.
  • Journal Communications and the National FFA Organization announce the launch of the updated FFA New Horizons free magazine app for Apple, Android and Kindle Fire devices.
  • According to Technomic, Inc.’s 2013 Volumetric Assessment of Pork in Foodservice, pork is sustaining its popularity having become the foodservice industry’s fastest-growing protein in each of the past two years.
Zimfo Bytes

The Tracks Of My Tears

Melissa Sandfort

fieldsToday Aunt Jeanette writes …

Today was “picking up pipe” day. Normally this is a joyous occasion – filled with laughter, stories (“Remember the time you drove by and honked at me when you knew I was counting rows?”), and reminiscing about the seemingly endless heat of summer. All the while enjoying the scenery – towering cornstalks with ears of corn bursting out of their husks – and imagining the corn flowing from the combine’s auger into the grain cart at harvest time.

Instead, today was somber – hurrying to get the job finished before emotions overtook us. Oops! Too late. I (the driver for the crew) couldn’t help myself. A tear pooled in my eye and trickled down my cheek. I usually try and keep my feelings in check, but this time I just couldn’t do it.

Even though I don’t provide the manual labor required of farmers, I am always in the background being their best cheerleader, encourager, ‘gofer’, etc. I see the countless hours of work, sweat, hope, planning, questioning, and dreaming that go into this profession called farming. And I feel the pain of having those dreams gone in a matter of minutes, caused by a storm that we had no control over.

So, if you see a few teardrops leaving their tracks on my paper, you will know I am thinking about what could have been, but, at the same time, looking forward to what might be – next year.

Because that is what farmers do.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Survivor Shows Up at Farm Progress Show

Kristyn Stidham

fps-13-636-editedThe TruAg exhibition was home for Rupert Boneham this week at the 2013 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, IL. Rupert is known for his role on reality TV where viewers voted him the million dollar winner on Survivor: America’s Tribal Council.

Rupert started a vocational mentoring program, Rupert’s Kids, 23 years ago. The program helps young adults, starting at age 18, learn to fill out job applications, read important materials, and teach men and women how to make a legal living. Rupert’s Kids has reached almost 1,000 individuals in the nation and helped them get back on there feet.

“At 22 or 23 years old, if you can’t read or write, if you can’t fill out an application, if you have no work history, and if you have felonies, then you’re not going to work. Heck, you’re not even going to have a place to live,” said Rupert.

Tune in to the next season of Survivor and watch as Rupert returns for the fourth time, starting September 18.

Listen to my interview with Rupert here: Interview with Rupert

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Farm Progress Show

Deadliest Catch Sails into the Farm Progress Show

Leah Guffey

Image 4 If you’re like me you’ve watched almost every season of Deadliest Catch and are very familiar with the Hansen’s and their boat the Northwestern.  

While at the 2013 Farm Progress Show I had a chance to catch up with deckboss, Edgar Hansen, and learn a little bit about the boat, harvesting of the crab and why they choose to use Chevron Delo products.  Edgar says the boat is going through an engine overhaul right now to get ready for the 2013 King Crab season which launches in just a few months.

“We use it in our boats, stem to stern, my hydraulics, my coolants in my engines, all the lube oil, my grease, everything on that boat is a Chevron product.”

Here you can listen to my interview with Edgar. Edgar Hansen

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Growmark, Ag Leader and John Deere

 

Audio, Farm Progress Show

Insights Into Bayer’s Respect the Rotation Program

Kristyn Stidham

fps-13-342-edited Wednesday at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Bayer CropScience held a panel of researchers to discuss the current hot topic of weed resistance.

Arlene Cotie, Product Development Manager with Bayer, took a moment to speak with media regarding her thoughts on weed resistance and how Bayer is pursuing an education process for growers. In 2010 Bayer released their Respect the Rotation program that emphasized diversity with chemicals and technology as a solution to the problem.

“We have brought farmers up from the south, we have brought weed scientists up from the south, and one of my favorite things that was said by farmers is ‘what can we do to get Respect the Rotation implemented in every field?'” said Cotie.

Cotie and her colleagues are firm believers in the common phrase, “seeing is believing.” She believes the job extends to the farmer to get the program implemented in all fields around the world. Once farmers see success among the industry, they will be more willing to begin the program in their own fields.

Listen to my interview with Arlene here: Interview with Arlene Cotie

2013 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Coverage of the 2013 Farm Progress show is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Growmark and New Holland
Audio, Bayer, Farm Progress Show