Schmacon Casserole

Chuck Zimmerman

Schmacon CasseroleThe AgriBlogger is all about food. This includes casseroles. They’re easy and I make more than enough so I can freeze the rest for another meal.

So, with a pound of Schmacon for inspiration I decided to make a new casserole this week. Here are my ingredients:

Schmacon1 bag of shredded potatoes
1 pound Schmacon (beef’s answer to bacon)
1 can of sauerkraut
Stir fried red, yellow, green and orange bell peppers, red onion, sweet onion, garlic
different shredded cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan)
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 cup of Water
Spices: Everglades seasoning, Mrs. Dash, Dill, Paprika
pats of butter bottom and top

Once the peppers, garlic and onions were tender I blended all of this in a bowl. I used about a cup of each cheese. On the spices I just shook enough in to “feel” that it was enough.

Then I sprayed olive oil on a glass casserole dish, added some pats of butter, poured the mixture in, topped with pats of butter and paprika. Then baked it for about 45 minutes at 325.

Boom. An explosion of flavor in your mouth. This casserole is good as a stand alone meal or for breakfast with eggs. Try some.

Beef, Food

Building Blocks

Melissa Sandfort

Today, Aunt Jeanette writes:

20150327_105141Last Friday was one of those days when Mother Nature was loudly and clearly saying, “I AM IN CHARGE HERE AND THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!” Just to prove her point, she threw in a few snowflakes that afternoon.

We woke up to temperatures in the 20s. But wait, it gets worse! It’s now the first of April…time to be playing outside, blowing bubbles and chasing them until our little legs are worn out, creating masterpieces with sidewalk chalk, searching the yard for ‘treasures’, pulling a little red wagon and filling it with sparkly rocks, flying kites, and just loving the outdoors. I think the temperature did manage to get into the 40s by mid-afternoon. Then came the snowflakes!

Two of our grandchildren were spending the day. I know they would rather be outside. So would I. I was searching the far corners of my brain and trying to come up with something different for us to do or play with. I had been looking for some paint in the basement several weeks ago and came across this box of handmade blocks. I didn’t take the time to get them out then, but today I thought, “Aha! Those are perfect!”

We got the box down, cleaned them up, and those wonderful, handmade blocks provided several hours worth of entertainment. We made pens for animals, sheds for equipment, and even a barricade between the living room and kitchen to keep Grandma out!

Those blocks have stood the test of time because my dad originally made them for my three sons many years ago. I had to chuckle at the memories as I held one and noticed someone had printed on it, “15 cents” and “2 & 5”. I am not sure what that meant, but I am sure the kids knew. Another one said, “The End” on one side and the other side was possessively marked with the writer’s name. I won’t tell, but it starts with a B!

Perfect playthings – cut to just the right sizes, sanded, stained, and coated with polyurethane – meant to last through several generations. They are still providing hours of creative play, thanks to Grandpa!

Until we walk again …

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GROWMARK Acquires MO Refined Fuels Terminal

Cindy Zimmerman

growmarklogoIllinois-based cooperative GROWMARK, Inc. is acquiring the refined fuels terminal near St. Joseph, Missouri from Magellan Pipeline Company to better serve customers in that area.

Acquisition of the facility will enable GROWMARK to ensure continued supply of refined fuels and solidify the cooperative’s commitment to the energy business and to northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas, according to Kevin Carroll, GROWMARK Vice President, Energy Division.

“This acquisition provides the opportunity to invest in one of our core businesses and is a strategic location for many of our customers,” Carroll said. “With the St. Joseph addition, we can better serve our petroleum business and this important part of our geography.” In addition to the current diesel fuel availability at the terminal, GROWMARK intends to offer ethanol blends of gasoline in the future.

Carroll said the St. Joseph terminal will expand GROWMARK’s supply capacity and facilitate continued growth. “We currently have a reliable supply of refined fuels. However, with the addition of the St. Joseph terminal we will be able to more easily grow with our customers in the region,” he said. Magellan will continue to deliver refined fuels into the St. Joseph terminal via its Midwest pipeline system.

Energy, Ethanol, GROWMARK

John Deere’s 6 Family Tractor Line​

Jamie Johansen

John Deere TractorJohn Deere has expanded its lineup of 6M and 6R Series Tractors for model year 2015 to offer producers a wider range of horsepower, frame sizes, transmissions, hydraulics and other options.

“Our objective is to continually expand our tractor line to meet a wide variety of customer needs, yet be able to offer the same proven performance, reliability and service standards in every 6 Family model,” says Kory Ross, mid-tractor product manager for John Deere. “The new models in our 6M and 6R Series continue that tradition, with tractors ranging from 110 to 215 engine horsepower, and build commonality in horsepower and other features within the 6 Family.”

Tractors in the mid-specification 6M Series are well-suited for such chores as haying and field work; loader, feeding and material handling; mowing roadsides; and maintaining orchards and vineyards. Operation can vary from creeper speed for working in specialty crops to 25 mph for faster transport. The closed-center pressure and flow-compensating hydraulic system offers advantages such as increased lift capacity and faster loader-cycle times.

Seven 6M models are available (the three numbers following the “6” indicate engine horsepower). Small-frame models are the 6110M, 6120M and 6130M; the 6145M and 6155M are mid-frame models; and the 6175M and the new 6195M are large-frame models.

In addition to the higher power range, the 6Ms are available with mechanical cab suspension system for improved ride quality; factory-installed AutoTrac™ Ready for assisted steering on the mid- and large-frame models; on-the-go auto mechanical front-wheel drive and differential lock for increased traction; and front hitch and front PTO options for front-mounted implements.

The 6M models also have Power Fill brakes for demanding loads and hillside mowing operations and come with multiple tire options based on different applications.

The 6R Series of premium specification tractors offer additional horsepower, cab and control options, and more performance features to handle larger chores and field operations. These features include the ComfortView™ cab, high-performance controls, and optimum comfort, along with panoramic visibility.

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Agribusiness, John Deere, Tractor

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Talia Goes

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  • NFL Hall of Famer and the Chicago Bears beloved Coach Mike Ditka will deliver the Wednesday Keynote Address at the United Fresh 2015 General Session, Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
  • Two of Farm Journal Media’s print entities were recognized at the Neal Awards during American Business Media’s 61st annual Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards ceremony, held Friday in New York City.
  • Monsanto Company announced a $400,000 commitment to partner with and support the efforts of experts working to benefit monarch butterflies.
  • Alamo Group Inc. announced that effective April 6, 2015. Richard H. (Rick) Raborn will be joining the Company as its Executive Vice President, North American Agricultural Division.
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Ag Conservation Easement Funding Available

Cindy Zimmerman

acepAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Natural Resources Conservation Service chief Jason Weller have announced the availability of $332 million in financial and technical assistance through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

“Conservation easements are an important tool to help these landowners and partners voluntarily provide long-term protection of our nation’s farmland, ranchland, wetlands and grasslands for future generations,” said Vilsack.

“What’s great about these easements is that you can also have permanent protection of vulnerable habitat…but these are also working land conservation easements,” Weller added. “The easements are a critical tool for us.”

The 2014 Farm Bill consolidated three previous conservation easement programs into ACEP to make it easier for diverse agricultural landowners to fully benefit from conservation initiatives. ACEP applications may be submitted at any time to NRCS; however, applications for the current funding round must be submitted on or before May 15, 2015.

USDA NRCS easement program funding announcement
Audio, Conservation, USDA

USDA Releases Prospective Plantings Report

Cindy Zimmerman

USDAThe much-anticipated 2015 Prospective Plantings released by USDA today shows declines expected in corn, wheat and cotton acres this year, with only a modest increase in soybean acreage.

Corn planted area for all purposes in 2015 is estimated at 89.2 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the third consecutive year of an acreage decline and would be the lowest planted acreage in the United States since 2010.

Soybean planted area for 2015 is estimated at a record high 84.6 million acres, up 1 percent from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage intentions are up or unchanged in 21 of the 31 major producing States.

All wheat for 2015 is estimated at 55.4 million acres, down three percent from 2014, and all cotton is estimated at 9.55 million acres, 13 percent below last year.

Randy Martinson with Progressive Ag provided commentary on the report today for the Minneapolis Grain Exchange crop call.

MGEX crop conference call on 2015 prospective plantings
Audio, Corn, Soybean, USDA

World Backup Day

Chuck Zimmerman

World Backup DayWhen was the last time you backed up your computer? Your phone? Your tablet? Your memory cards? Hopefully you know the answer to that.

If you haven’t then do it today – World Backup Day. This infographic was sent to me by Cloudwards. Click on it to see the rest of the graphic.

World Backup DayMarch 31st has been declared World Backup Day. With so much of our lives, photos, and videos being stored in digital form, it is important that we begin to make backups of our precious data. Backing up your data is one of those easy-to-do procedures that many people ignore.

People now create and generate over 1.8 zettabytes of data per year.¹ That’s a lot of data that we need to protect! Unfortunately, nearly 30% of people have never even backed up their data.² Backing up your data will protect your life’s work when that hard drive fails. If you are a small business, a data backup can be what saves your company. World Backup Day is here to make sure that people actually start backing up.

Invest in a small portable hard drive. Connect it to your computer and use software like Time Machine for a Mac or SyncBack for a PC. Invest in a cloud storage account like BackBlaze. Have the peace of mind of the best of both worlds!

Events, Gadgets, Technology

Rural Electric Tackles Diversity & Internet Access

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2015-03-30 at 2.25.14 PMI recently had the opportunity to sit down with former Congresswomen from my home state of Missouri, Jo Ann Emerson. She currently calls Washington, D.C. home where she holds the title of first female CEO for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

“I am very excited to be selected by the Board of Directors of the NRECA to serve as their leader. But I consider myself more than a leader, I’m a listener. It’s what I did in my job on Capitol Hill. When you represent 42 million Americans, it’s really important to listen and meet the concerns of those members who are you bosses. And we can never forget that.”

The term ‘telling our story’ is nothing new in the agriculture community and Jo Ann agrees whole-heartedly. “We are concerned about our communities, we believe we have to be involved, engaged in economic and community development opportunities. It’s critical our communities are there for our children and we want to make them vibrant and strong.” Jo Ann said another goal of her’s is to meet the people where they are. In her short time at NRECA she has visited all but four states and also believes social media plays a big role in connecting to a younger demographic.

I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t ask Jo Ann about rural broadband internet access since it is a very important topic that impacts my career. She said a lot of our rural cooperatives are working to provide high-speed broadband internet and the best thing about having that access is the ability to communicate. She feels strongly about empowering the stay-at-home mom to write a blog or the entrepreneur to strike out on their own. Rural internet is where those start. “The big companies like AT&T and Verizon are not going to come to our small, tiny rural communities. We have a good opportunity here that will change peoples lives once we do it.”

Listen to my complete interview with Jo Ann to learn more about what local coops are doing to provide cost-effective internet to their rural communities. Interview with Jo Ann Emerson, CEO NRECA

Ag Groups, Audio, Internet

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