If I hadn’t been attending the IFAJ Congress last week I would have been at the 2005 Farm Progress Show. Thanks to Willie Vogt, Corporate Editorial Director, Farm Progress and Jacqui Fatka, E-content editor, I have this show followup report and pictures.
Field Demos Prove Popular Spot at FPS
Crowds got a good look at harvesting and tillage equipment at the Farm Progress Show site with the corn – which is at 17% – moving through the newest and biggest machines. The tillage demonstrations, which included dozens of machines, gave producers a look at the latest technology. For a full listing of new products launched at the show, visit www.FarmProgressShow.com under the What’s New “Exhibitor News” section.
Johanns Makes FPS Farm Bill Forum Tour Stop
Sept. 1 at the Farm Progress Show Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns hosted another round of Farm Bill Forums, a series of sessions where interested groups can talk about what should be included in the 2007 Farm Bill.
Over 200 people attended the session that covered everything from renewable energy to rural development and offered up a smorgasbord of ideas for the former Nebraska governor. This was not a dialog, but a listening session with Johanns dutifully taking notes. His aim: “We want to be proactive with the farm bill.”
Soybean Board Continues to Push Quality
Yield is king and that will never change,” says United Soybean Board Chairman Greg Anderson. But instead of just asking dealers about varieties that offer yield and agronomic solutions, one in three farmers in the Upper Midwest are asking their seed dealers which of those varieties will yield the highest protein and oil combination, Anderson reported at this year’s Farm Progress Show. The Select Yield & Quality Initiative started three years ago is helping raise the bar to meet the 19% oil and 35% protein levels desired by China and other Asian markets.
America’s Heartland Debuts at FPS
In an air-conditioned theatre, visitors to the 2005 Farm Progress Show saw the debut of America’s Heartland, a new weekly public television show that celebrates American agriculture. The magazine-style, half-hour program features five different vignettes from around the country highlighting the land, bedrock of American values of family and what life on the farm means to those that live there. The series will premier the first week of September 2005. The first season of the program will consist of 20 original programs, one or more of which will break from the established format to cover a single topic or theme.
Undersecretary of Rural Development Dorr Visits FPS
Undersecretary of Rural Development Tom Dorr shared his vision for rural America with visitors at the 2005 Farm Progress Show. Since starting his work at USDA’s Rural Development department he sees two significant opportunities for rural America: renewable energy and place. The Farm Progress Show is a perfect example of how place was able to add value to rural Decatur, Ill., he explains. The Farm Progress Show landed in Decatur because of the community teamwork to draw the 3-day show to the area as a semi-permanent site over the next 20 years. Growers have played an integral role in getting renewable fuels to the level they are today, and that will continue to provide opportunities in the future, Dorr adds.
For this week’s ZimmCast I interviewed Claudia Wirz, 
I thought it was interesting to hear Claudia’s perspective and as you can hear her say in the interview she has some strong feelings when it comes to animals. She said in her presentation that she doesn’t see why farmers don’t support legislation here in Switzerland to further restrict pet owners and that she thinks that’s a mistake on their part. I guess that’s because she thinks that animal rights activists will be unhappy with farmers then. However, I don’t think she really understands that farmers don’t want increased animal rights legislation since it will ultimately have an impact on how they can conduct their business.
AgWired reports on IFAJ Congress 2005 are sponsored by 
I’ve been trying to get Cindy to start writing on AgWired but she has found other ways to help out with content. However, on this IFAJ Congress trip she decided to at least write one article for me to post for her. In the picture you can see her in the little village where we had lunch yesterday. I’ll have more on that.
Next up on today’s program was one of the organizer’s of the IFAJ Congress, Marcus Rediger. Marcus had lots of interesting information. He spoke on “The Communication of the Farmers With Society.” One of the very cool things his organization (
First up on the program on the final day of the IFAJ was Ruedi Hagmann, 
The final day of the 
One of the highlights of an IFAJ Congress is the awards ceremony for the annual photo contest and Star Prize (writing contest). You can view the powerpoint presentation of the awards from this link: 
The photo contest has got to be a difficult one to judge. Kudos to the panel of judges. This year’s first place winner is Adries Gouws of South Africa. You can see the entries in the contest by viewing the powerpoint presentation.
The Star Prize contest for writing this year was won by Gunilla Ander of Sweden.
As you no doubt know, Cindy and I are in Switzerland. Since we’ve been here we’ve only been able to see some CNN coverage of the hurricane aftermath in the south. When I saw the damage to the 
Here’s what it looks like at the top of the Schilthorn. There were lots of clouds (below us) and fog but every once in a while we got a peek at the mountains all around us. This picture was taken by Greg Lamp, Corn & Soybean Digest, by the way. He was closer to the window at our dinner table than me.