Just about everyone these days is making speculations about the state of the economy. While many industry experts and economics disagree about the cause and effects of this recession, most can agree that the economic recovery is going to be a slow one. An economist at Texas A&M University is one of the many weighing in on the debate. In a recent press release, the university shares the thoughts of Dr. Charlie Hall. Here is an excerpt from that release…
Dr. Charlie Hall, who also is the Ellison Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University, said at the 2009 Texas Plant Protection Conference recently in Bryan that the economic recovery is going to be slow, “but that’s a good thing.” Current economic concerns include the global financial situation, auto industry, energy consumption and overall U.S. infrastructure, he said, adding the U.S. labor situation is improving as weekly unemployment claims are declining. He said that the national definition of the savings rate doesn’t include two things: appreciation of home and 401(k) retirement accounts.
“I think we as consumers will save a little bit more, but that does not mean we will stop spending altogether,” said Hall. “I think the Great Recession has prompted people to be more frugal and temporarily increase the savings rate. In terms of the long run, spending is too ingrained in the mindset of the consumer, but they will exhibit a smarter consumption pattern.”
How about you? Are you practicing frugality this year? Do you see an increased savings over spending among the typical American consumer?
Here is the perfect present for that tractor lover on your list – 
Only 200 of these tractors have been produced to benefit the NAFB Foundation. Numbers 1-5 were auctioned live during the Foundation Auction and Reception at the NAFB Convention – one of which was purchased by Monsanto’s Tami Craig Shilling, pictured here with Lyle Orwig of Charleston-Orwig (who also bought one, if I remember correctly.)
Products from the acquisition will align with Novus’s MINTREX® chelated trace mineral products and further expand its mineral technology. When complete, this acquisition will enable Novus to offer its customers and the animal agriculture market an expanded chelated trace mineral product portfolio to support their livestock operations.
ZimmComm’s 
The USDA Ag Specialist on the ground in Jordan is Mohamed N. Khraishy. He took time to meet with our Corn Mission team after we arrived this afternoon. He says that he acts mainly as a facilitator on our behalf or as he puts it, “See me as the grease between the wheels.”
The Regional Director for the U.S. Grains Council coordinating our Corn Mission visit to Jordan is Joe O’Brien. Joe covers the Middle East and part of India. 
So if you have not made plans to attend 
Fellow Show Me State resident and corn grower from the southeast part of Missouri, Jim Stuever, took a few moments to provide his thoughts on how the