Hang On!

Melissa Sandfort

You’re 10. You’re on the first uphill climb on a rollercoaster, about to surge down the other side at 100 mph with just a small lap belt holding you in. Your car-mate yells, “Hang on!” and you can’t help but notice your heart skipping a beat. And in 3 minutes, the ride is over, hair is crazy, but if you were like me, you lined up to do it all over again just for the thrill.

I guess that’s what life and work is all about. Hanging on for the thrill of the ride. I was once asked: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I was 17. I didn’t know where I’d be the next day, let alone 10 years from then. Some kids are born with the desire to work in agriculture; for others, it’s an “acquired taste.” I took for granted the freedoms I had on the farm growing up: The picnic bench watermelon-eating fiascos, the treasured arrowheads buried deep beneath the hay bales, the pigeon songs in the old barn. As a youth, I loved agriculture. I just didn’t know I wanted a job in ag.

So what really inspires today’s youth to work in the ag industry? Is it classes they take in school? Being a member of a club like 4-H or FFA? Guidance counselors, friends, parents, the media? According to a study by AgCareers.com (top link), perceived benefits to a career in agriculture include “rewarding opportunities that provide good benefits” and “optimistic about the number of opportunities available.” Now if we can only help shape the perceptions of influencers (parents, peers) who believe that a life in ag is hard work and little pay.

Most days it IS hard work, and the pay, well, volatile. But farmers and ranchers and those in the ag industry seem to like the thrill of the ride. After all, that’s what life is all about, right? And, like this tree frog on our sliding glass window…hang on. We’re in for one heck of a ride.

Until we walk again…

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Registration Open For AG CONNECT Expo 2011

Chuck Zimmerman

Registration is now open for AG CONNECT Expo 2011 in Atlanta, GA.

AG CONNECT Expo, the new global Ag trade show in North America, announces that registration has opened for the 2011 show. AG CONNECT Expo 2011 is slated for January 8-10, 2011 (Preview Day January 7 by special admission) at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This new international agriculture event showcases the latest industry innovations, products and technology and offers access to leading company and industry experts worldwide.

Registering in advance saves over 30 percent off the show registration fee. Attendees can also save money by registering in advance for the extensive educational programming that will take place at the show. Go online to www.aem.org for full details and to register.

AEM, Farm Shows

AgWeb.com Re-Done

Chuck Zimmerman

It looks like another major farm publishing company has a completely re-engineered website up and running. Farm Journal’s AgWeb.com has a new look. I haven’t received any official notice on it but the effort was announced at this year’s NAMA convention where I spoke with Mitch Rouda, President of Farm Journal’s e-Media division.

If you’d like to see what the new AgWeb is all about you can take a video tour.

Media

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Clinton Griffiths pulled up to the AgDay news desk as the program’s new Anchor and Managing Editor. Veteran broadcaster Al Pell resumes his fulltime duties as AgriBusiness Director for both AgDay and U.S. Farm Report.
  • Thomas Tracy was named Senior Vice President of Operations at Farm Credit Services of Illinois effective August 1.
  • The growers and shippers of Northwest pears have recently adopted a set of minimum standards for the conditioning of Anjou pears.
  • Biagro Western has recently developed a patented new seed treatment that will increase crop emergence, improve stress tolerance, and combat other key issues facing growers today: Take Off ST.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Wyffels Brings Producers, Developers Together with Corn Strategies

    John Davis

    Hello from Texas, where the family and I have been spending the last few days trying to get roots set down. Just getting caught up after the last couple of weeks of packing up the moving truck and searching for a home in this region. It’s been quite a process (picture the Clampetts, loaded down vehicles, but using a 26′ truck and no Jethro to carry the heavy stuff!), and we’re just starting to catch our breaths a little.

    Wanted to pass along these interviews from the recent Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies event in Malcolm, Iowa, where I talked to a couple of producers who rely on the Wyffels brand and the company’s product development manager.

    Marc Loes grows all Wyffels on his 600 acres around Cascade in Easter Iowa (along with feeding about 3,000 head of cattle). He says this event reinforces the idea that you really have to look at marketing a lot more.
    You can hear or download my entire conversation with Marc here: Marc Loes

    Eric Totemeier, who farms about 700 acres (2/3 corn and 1/3 soybeans) near Columbus Junction, Iowa, told me that the gathering with its multiple speakers was great, and the setting right next to a genuine Wyffels Hybrids corn field made it feel like home. But most importantly, and Marc echoed this sentiment, farmers are able to form a real partnership with their Wyffels representative. “There’s always out there with you through thick and thin.”
    Listen to or download my entire conversation with Eric here: Eric Totemeier

    That’s music to the ears of Wyffels Product Development Manager, Brent Tharp, who showed off some of the company’s new hybrids that will be ready for next year’s spring planting. “[The farmers attending] like what they see. If you do walk a Wyffels lineup, you can see the diversity we have in our germplasm. Each hybrid is not the same.”
    More of my conversation with Brent is available to listen to or to download here: Brent Tharp

    Audio, Corn, Seed

    Conservation In Action Tour Wrap-up

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Tim HealeyConservation Technology Information Center Chairman Tim Healey, AGROTAIN, gave us a preview of the Conservation in Action Tour. Now you get to hear his wrap-up following the CTIC board meeting.

    Tim says the tour was a real success and I echo that. We learned a lot about what farmers are doing in this Chesapeake Bay area and especially in the area of conservation. These were not only old farms but ones using the newest technology. That made for a real contrast. Tim says you can’t continually farm land like this without using good conservation practices. Public policy makers told him that they did not realize that these conservation practices we saw were being used on farms in this area. I’m glad they were with us! The CTIC board has announced that next year’s tour will be in northwest Ohio, probably the week of August 8th. I know you always like to to “better” next year but I’m not sure how you can beat this tour this year. Tim says it can be done though. Hope I’m there to see it. Tim Healey Interview

    Conservation In Action Tour 2010 Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Conservation In Action Tour is made
    possible by and the

    Agribusiness, Audio, Conservation, CTIC, Fertilizer

    Corn Farming While Protecting The Environment

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Conservation in Action TourNot all the farmers I met during the Conservation in Action Tour were making presentations. One of them was Wayne Kirby, Virginia corn farmer and Chairman of the Virginia Corn Board. Wayne says a lot of people are interested in agriculture in their area and especially what’s happening with the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort.

    Wayne says he’s glad to be able to share information with people. The restoration effort is very important to corn growers since regulations and policies are being set that have direct impact of farming and potential negative impacts. He says they’ve been working diligently to improve their production practices. He describes how much of what area farmers are doing is not being taken into account in the models used for watershed management. Wayne Kirby Interview

    Conservation In Action Tour 2010 Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Conservation In Action Tour is made
    possible by and the

    Ag Groups, Audio, Conservation, Corn, CTIC, Environment

    Representing Diverse Farm Interests In Chesapeake Bay Area

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Katie Kyger FrazierOne of our Conservation in Action Tour bus speakers was Katie Kyger Frazier, V.P. Public Affairs, Virginia Agribusiness Council. Her group represents agriculture and forestry interests on the state level with over 40 different commodity organizations as members. She says that farmers unify around what’s best for the industry and the Chesapeake Bay area restoration project has really brought diverse interests together.

    Katie describes the Chesapeake Bay issue as deadly serious and the largest issue the industry has seen in quite some time. It is impacting farmers of all types including both conventional and organic. She says that her council has been working with various ag groups to finish the Chesapeake Bay TMDL by the end of the year. They’ve identified items like getting credit for farmers for the bmp’s they use to farm which is not happening right now. Katie Kyger Frazier Interview

    Conservation In Action Tour 2010 Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Conservation In Action Tour is made
    possible by and the

    Ag Groups, Audio, CTIC

    Precision Ag Evangelist

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Harold ReetzHarold Reetz is one of the board members for the Conservation Technology Information Center and has formed Reetz Agronomics. I spoke to him following the CTIC board meeting. He says he just retired after 28 years with the International Plant Nutrition Institute. But he’s not retired from working. In my interview you’ll hear about some other things he’s involved in.

    Harold has three passions, high yield production systems, precision technology and conservation. He says those three are converging and he’s helping it happen. One of the events he helped start and is promoting next year is the InfoAg 2011 Conference on precision technology which will be held July 12-14 in Springfield, IL. Harold Reetz Interview

    Conservation In Action Tour 2010 Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Conservation In Action Tour is made
    possible by and the

    Ag Groups, Audio, Conservation, CTIC, Environment, Research

    The 4R Nutrient Stewardship System

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Kathy MathersRepresenting The Fertilizer Institute on the Conservation in Action Tour was Kathy Mathers, V.P. of Public Affairs. I spoke to Kathy during the Conservation Technology Information Center board meeting that followed the tour to

    Nutrient stewardship is on the top of the list for TFI according to Kathy. She says they’re promoting the 4R Nutrient Stewardship System which means using the right fertilizer product at the right rate, right time and in the right place. She says they get involved with CTIC to interact with other stake holders in agriculture. She thought the tour was a “home run.” Kathy Mathers Interview

    Conservation In Action Tour 2010 Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the Conservation In Action Tour is made
    possible by and the

    Ag Groups, Audio, Conservation, CTIC, Fertilizer