As we contemplate our full plates and full bellies on Thanksgiving, remember that all the food we are blessed to have in this country is brought to you by farmers and ranchers, with a lot of help from our Creator. Thanksgiving blessings to all!
Happy Thanksgiving from the American Doorstop Project
Before 1863 each state scheduled its own day of thanksgiving at different times, generally states in New England. But on Oct. 3 of that year President Abraham Lincoln gave a proclamation setting a National Day of Thanksgiving.
“The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.”
President Lincoln continued…”I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
This Thanksgiving remember to be thankful for our agricultural roots and the heritage that shaped our nation. The American Doorstop Project invites you to learn more about this heritage and honor the legacy of agriculture.
RFD-TV to Air Joey+Rory Special for Thanksgiving
RFD-TV will air a marathon of the “The Joey + Rory Show” plus special tributes by country music stars on Thanksgiving Day. The celebration of Joey and Rory Feek’s musical talents, spirit and faith follows Joey’s recent decision to stop her treatments for cervical cancer.
The special program starts at 9 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, Nov. 26, with a five-hour marathon of the 10 best episodes of Joey+Rory from the past three years. Then, at 7:30 p.m. ET (with a replay at 11:30 p.m.), both networks will air an exclusive broadcast of personal messages to the Feeks from country-music stars such as Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Marty Stuart and Connie Smith.
The Feeks have released six albums together and were named the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Vocal Duo in 2010, after Rory had already penned several hit country songs for artists such as Blake Shelton and Clay Walker. The RFD-TV series The Joey+Rory Show has followed the husband-and-wife singer-songwriters as they performed their country/bluegrass tunes and lived life on their small Tennessee farm with their newborn baby.
Joey was diagnosed with cervical cancer 16 months ago and has been in hospice in Indiana since Nov. 9.
Rory encourages fans to peruse his blog of their experiences at ThisLifeILive.com. In a recent entry, he wrote, “Joey’s hope never fades. No amount of pain or medicine can touch it. It runs too deep. It’s connected to her faith in God and, as she’ll tell you, God can do anything.”
Fans can also send handwritten cards or letters to Joey and Rory Feek and their family members at the following address: RFD-TV c/o Joey+Rory, 49 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203.
Corn Growers Praise Feds Change on Ag Risk Coverage Rules
Growers on a farm with one or more tracts outside the administrative county now have the option to recalculate Agriculture Risk Coverage-CO benefits based on the farm’s physical location. This news release from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says the Farm Service Agency modification of the rule follows an extensive review of the potential impacts of the previous requirement that payments for the Agriculture Risk Coverage program be based on the administrative county where farm records are maintained.
“NCGA worked determinedly to bring this issue to the attention of FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. We greatly appreciate his consideration of our concerns and the decision to act on the information we provided,” said National Corn Growers Association Public Policy Action Team Chair Steve Ebke.
According to the FSA Administrator’s office, the payments for farms enrolled in 2014 and 2015 with payments “would be recalculated in each physical location and summed for the farm using weights according to the number of base acres (including attributed acres) in each county.”
Farms will not be allowed to retroactively change the administrative county or to be reconstituted. The choice for producers who may be adversely impacted is between recalculating all base acres on a farm or retaining the current calculation tied to the farm’s administrative county. The flexibility to select and choose among different tracts or crops is not available. In addition, a decision to recalculate based on the physical location of the tracts must be agreed upon by all producers on the farm with a share in the payment. The deadline for requesting a recalculation is February 1, 2016.
While NCGA acknowledges it will be a small percentage of farms affected, the potential for variation in payments can be very significant.
Dawn White Getting Some Real Yield with LibertyLink
We often think of weed resistance as being some kind of midwest and south phenomenon but think east U.S. as in South Carolina. Cindy spoke with farmer Dawn White for an episode of LibertyLink Real Yield Radio and you can hear what she has to say below.
Now, while you’re celebrating some Thanksgiving with the family how about trying the Real Yield Game and get yourself entered to win big with Bayer CropScience.
Visit www.realyieldgame.com and click on the promotion link.
1. Complete all fields in the registration or log-in process.
2. Select five fields in the game area to spray Liberty® to reveal incremental bushels of soybeans.
3. Look at the total number of incremental bushels of soybeans for all five fields in the silo and determine the prize won.
Limit three game plays per person – one game play for complete registration, one game play for completion of LibertyLink® Ratings/Reviews/Attributes, one game play for social sharing through the promotion website.
In the real world, missed weeds compromise real yield. The LibertyLink® system is simply a better solution that ensures you don’t lose yield from missed weeds. Choose LibertyLink® and Liberty® to maximize real yields with high-performing genetics and better weed control.
Here’s Dawn’s story:
Sponsored Post
Ethos XB from FMC
Earlier this month FMC announced the launch of Ethos™ XB insecticide/fungicide, the first of its kind, integrated in-furrow product for insect and disease control. It just so happens that Rick Ekins, fungicide and insecticide portfolio manager for FMC, was attending the NAFB convention. We talked about the announcement and what it provides to farmers. Here’s some information on the product and you can listen to my interview with Rick below.
Formulated with the patented Liquid Fertilizer Ready technology from FMC, Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide combines the market-leading at-plant insecticide with a broad-spectrum preventative biofungicide, the first corn biopesticide offering from FMC.
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide offers the broadest spectrum of corn seedling defense against soil pests and diseases. Powered by the active ingredient in Capture® LFR® insecticide, it protects seedlings from corn rootworm, wireworms, grubs, seed corn maggots, cutworms and common stalk borers. The powerful, new biological fungicide in Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide aids in control of Fusarium, Pythium, Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia.
“The Ethos XB product provides early, integrated protection to create an environment where seedlings emerge more uniformly and with the vigor to optimize productivity,” said Rick Ekins, fungicide and insecticide portfolio manager for FMC. “As growers push for maximum yields, they are increasing plant populations and planting earlier under more adverse conditions. Our job is to help them protect every seedling with the most convenient and broadest spectrum insect and disease control.”
Listen to my interview with Rick. Rick Ekins, FMC
Update on John Deere Acquisitions
Earlier this month John Deere announced a couple of big acquisitions that include Precision Planting and Monosem. During the NAFB convention I got an update on those from Barry Nelson.
The Monosem purchase allows John Deere to expand their planter lineup on a truly global basis when included with the Precision Planting purchase. The brand names will be continued according to Nelson. He says it’s 60 – 90 days to get the deal wrapped up and then there will be some dealer negotiations to do as well.
Listen to my interview with Barry here: Barry Nelson, John Deere
Barry is being interviewed in the photo by Michelle Rook, WNAX.
Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by
AMSA Launches TheMeatWeEat.com
The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) has debuted their new website, TheMeatWeEat.com. The consumer focused site provides accurate, fact-based information from U.S. meat scientists to help consumers make informed decisions regarding the meat their families enjoy.
“TheMeatWeEat.com is the perfect avenue to relay the research of countless meat scientists into digestible information our consumers are looking for. Targeting our audience with relatable information, like industry trends, we can unveil science and facts about all proteins our consumers desire,” said David Hayden, Regional Sales Manager with JBT Corp. and industry advocate.
TheMeatWeEat.com provides simplified site navigation, a variety of resources and enhanced search capability, making it quick and easy for the visitor to find the answers they are seeking.
Website features include:
· Consumer Focused Fact Sheets
· Video Podcasts
· Featured Meat Scientist Series
· “Ask a Meat Scientist” Web Portal
Janeal Yancey, University of Arkansas and author of the Mom at the Meat Counter blog, said, “I’m really excited about the potential of this site to reach consumers. People have lots of questions about how meat is produced and the best ways to prepare it. This site will give people access to hundreds of meat scientists with a wide variety of expertise.”
48th Championship Tractor Pull Drivers Announced
The dirvers of this years 48th annual Championship Tractor Pull include former champions as well as a record-braking number of women drivers. The four-day event, sponsored by Syngenta, will be held February 10-13 in conjunction with the National Farm Machinery Show. Drivers compete for the title of Grand Champion and a share of $250,000 in prize money.
The majority of the reigning Grand Champions from the seven classes of the 2015 Championship Tractor Pull are returning: Neil Gettinger, Hagerstown, IN; Nathan Babler, Rock City, IL; Steve Bunnage, Golden Gate, IL; Joey Frasur, Liberty IN; Travis Schlabach, Marengo, IA; and Shawn Hodges, Avella, PA.
The 2016 Championship Tractor Pull will break last year’s record for the number of women driving with eight women competing in various classes including Patricia Justison, Hillsboro IL; Bethany Nelson, Altamont, IL; Ashley Corzine, Assumption, IL; Mendi Nelson, Cat Spring, TX; Renee Theobald, Shelbyville, IN; Monica Shaw, Franklin, KY; Julia Ray, Beloit, OH and former Grand Champion Lisa Tatum, Bardstown, KY.
You can purchase tickets from the Freedom Hall Ticket Office, Kentucky International Convention Center and Ticketmaster beginning Tuesday, December 1 at 10:00 a.m. Ticket prices for Wednesday and Thursday are $40, Friday’s tickets are $45, Saturday afternoon coasts $40 and the finals on Saturday night are $45.
Survey Says Ag Machinery Market Still Weak
Agrievolution Alliance recently released their fall survey of more than 6,000 manufacturers worldwide showing the majority believe the market is still weak. The report shows a 3 point decline from their April report.
China and India buck the trend, showing positive growth in agriculture equipment manufacturing. For other countries, results show no clear future trend.
Taking new orders as future indicators, there is even less of a positive outlook. Nearly 50 percent of the global ag machinery industry states that in the past three months, the volume of incoming orders in their domestic markets decreased compared to the same period a year ago.
On a global basis, 19 percent of ag machinery companies rate their business as “good,” while 34 percent describe it as unfavorable. Especially in North and South America, namely the U.S. and Brazil, current demand remains weak.
Brazil was the worst in terms of sales revenue in the last three months, followed by the U.S. Countries reporting the best sales revenue were Russia, China and India.
Lower commodity prices have negatively affected the mood of farmers and is halting the demand for new machinery. Member of the Alliance survey may view a more detailed report, but a report for the general public may be viewed here.