The staff at Michigan Corn wishes you happy holidays.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the staff at Michigan Corn.
Kay, Jim, Natalie, Penni, Theresa and Dennis
Weed Control for Soybean Growers
FMC Agricultural Solutions announces a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) crop registration of its Anthem SE herbicide now for use on soybeans. Anthem herbicide offers both corn and soybean growers control of broadleaf weeds and grasses with flexible application timing up to 45 days preplant, preemergence and early postemergence.
Introduced for corn in fall of 2012, Anthem herbicide provides powerful control of broadleaf weeds and grasses. Now available for soybeans, Anthem offers growers a soybean application window up to 45 days preplant through V3 with 4-8 weeks of residual activity. Applied in-season, growers can easily combine the concentrated liquid formulation of Anthem with tank mixes of companion herbicides with effective rates as low as 4 to 11 ounces per acre.
With preemergence and postemergence application flexibility, Anthem provides growers with a residual herbicide that also has postemergence activity on several broadleaf weeds including pigweed species, like waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, before or after soybean emergence. Anthem also is an excellent tool as part of an OverlapSM system when used postemergence in conjunction with Authority® herbicides preemergence as part of a sequential program for outstanding, season-long residual on key grasses and broadleaf weeds that challenge growers’ ability to maximize yield potential.
National Corn Yield Contest Winners for 2013
Advanced production techniques, informed growing practices and improved seed varieties helped corn growers achieve high yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2013 National Corn Yield Contest. Entrants continued to far surpass the national average corn yield, setting a contest record with a new all-time high yield of 454 bushels per acre. Additionally, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.
The National Corn Yield Contest is in its 49th year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members, setting a new participation record this year with 8,827 entries. This surpasses the previous record of 8,431 entries, set in 2011, and far outstrips the 8,263 entries received in 2012.
The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 354.6 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 160.4 bushels per acre in 2013. While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories topped out at 454.9837.
Farm Journal Media Acquires American Countryside
Today Farm Journal Media announced the acquisition of ‘American Countryside’ from it’s founder, producer and well-known, ANdrew McCrea.
‘American Countryside’ is a nationally syndicated daily radio program featuring the “people and place unique to rural American.” Don’t worry, Andrew will continue to host the program, plus join Farm Journal Media as a multimedia contributor.
The three-minute, short-form radio vignette has been on the air since 1996 and airs on more than 100 stations across the Midwest, including several of the nation’s leading farm radio stations.
“Broadcasting from his large grain and livestock farm in northwest Missouri, McCrea is the real deal, fully embodying the ‘muddy boots’ tradition at Farm Journal Media,” said Brian Conrady, Senior Vice President of Farm Journal Broadcast. “This real-world perspective gives Andrew a distinct ability to find and tell stories that showcase the true spirit of life in rural America.”
Farm Journal Broadcast will also be launching a television version of ‘American Countryside’ to air on “US Farm Report,” a weekend news report produced and distributed by Farm Journal Media.The radio program will also see expanded reach on the company’s web portal, AgWeb.com. “American Countryside’s” editorial, production, distribution and advertising sales efforts will also be integrated into Farm Journal’s multimedia business.
“I am excited to join Farm Journal Media,” McCrea noted. “Our new partnership provides the opportunity to bring ‘American Countryside’ to more listeners in more ways, with expanded radio coverage, as well as new features on television and promotion in print and on the web.”
The addition of ‘American Countryside’ comes just one year after Farm Journal Media’s launch into farm radio with the acquisition of “AgriTalk” in December 2012.
What’s on Your Christmas Table?
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “ Which winter farm shows/events are you planning to attend?”
Our poll results:
· National – 29%
· None – 24%
· All of the above – 19%
· State – 10%
· Other – 10%
· Regional – 5%
· Local – 5%
Looks like quite a few of you will be traveling to shows this winter. Be careful and we hope you find what you’re looking for.
Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “ What is your traditional Christmas dinner?” Will there be a big bird in the middle of your family dinner table or a mouthwatering roast beef? Let us know!
Happy Holidays from Farm Progress
Here’s a Happy Holidays from Farm Progress.
Celebrate the Season – Insight, Authority, Engagement
Wishing you peace, happiness and joy this holiday season. From all of us at Penton Farm Progress Group, Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
All the best to you and yours . . .
Click on the image to view it the video.
Ag Leader Holiday Hours
Ag Leader Technical Support will be closed from Tuesday, Dec. 24 through Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014. During this time, there will not be an option to leave a voicemail message.
We would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Become a fan of Ag Leader on Facebook today, and get the latest precision ag videos on the YouTube channel. For more information about Ag Leader products and services, or to visit the blog site, go to www.agleader.com.
Ag Industry Dealt a Blow from EPA
The agriculture industry has been dealt a blow according to Adam Nielsen, director of legislation and policy development for the Illinois Farm Bureau. Nielsen, who spends a significant amount of time promoting the agricultural industry in Washington, D.C., said the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed 2014 reduction of the amount of corn ethanol blended as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is of great concern as is the lack of a five-year Farm Bill.
“I think it’s time for those four tops to stop posturing and to finish the job,” said Nielsen when asked about the status of the Farm Bill while at a biodiesel groundbreaking and RFS roundtable event hosted by biofuel plant Patriot Renewable Fuels. “And that’s to get back in a room and reach agreements on some of these issues that are considerable issues, but it’s not the first time a Farm Bill has ever been negotiated in this fashion and some of the people who are involved in this have been there before. So we’re all counting on them to be leaders right now.”
Nielsen said a five year farm bill is needed and the industry cannot afford another extension of one or two years. “The policies we have on the books right now reflect agriculture of the previous decade. We need a farm bill that reflects where we are today. I think they understand that and we’ve been patient for a long time, but our patience is beginning to run thin. And it is time for leaders to lead,” said Nielsen.
He noted that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Farm Bill in some ways are tied together. Because the RFS drives the use of corn and soybeans there is no need for commodity supports. But if the bottom of the floor falls out on the RFS, then there would again be a need for commodity supports and this will typically be legislated through a Farm Bill.
When asked why the Farm Bill so so important and what’s at stake if one is not passed, Nielsen pointed out, “The Farm Bill provides a measure of national security, something we all take for granted. It guarantees the basic nutritional needs of Americans will be met. It really helps support the nation’s conservation goals. It keeps our soils healthy into the future. And then it provides a support for production.”
Finally, Nielsen said the Farm Bill is more than a farm bill. “It is a jobs bill for our economy. And this is what is at stake.”
Listen to my interview with Adam Nielsen here where he discusses both the Farm Bill as well as the need for the RFS to stay in tact and how the two bills are intertwined: Ag Industry Dealt a Blow from EPA
Check out the Patriot Renewable Fuels photo album.
Zimfo Bytes
- Swanson Russell announces the addition of Jenna Alber and Katie Rhone to its Lincoln office.
- DuPont Pioneer and Bunge North America announced they will double acreage in 2014 of Pioneer® brand soybeans with the Plenish® high oleic trait.
- United Suppliers is pleased to announce the launch of two adjuvants this week that will significantly enhance the performance of crop protection inputs.
- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed nine members and their alternates to serve on the National U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.
