A shutdown of the U.S. government has also meant a shutdown of some vital services provided by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. As we mentioned in an earlier post, not the least of the USDA programs coming to a halt are the ones dealing with conservation issues, and that is mostly due to the fact that when the government shut … Read More
Farm Bill Expires, So Do Conservation Programs
As Congress and the President wrestle over the budget and whether or not it should be tied to the Affordable Care Act, aka “Obamacare,” not only has the government shut down, but farm programs have come to a halt as the one-year extension of the last Farm Bill expired on Oct. 1. And that has meant some key conservation programs, … Read More
Digi-Star Emphasizes Precision in New Brand Image
Wisconsin-based Digi-Star, a company specializing in precision equipment for feed management, livestock weighing, harvesting technology, planting solutions and nutrient management, unveiled a new brand image. This company news release says the new logo with the tagline “Precisely,” represents Digi-Star’s continued goal of providing customers with valuable data that helps them make profitable management decisions and was debuted at this week’s … Read More
Animal Rights or Animal Welfare?
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What is your favorite rodeo event?” It looks like the majority of you are most entertained by the bull riding. Maybe it has just that extra thrill to see a cowboy ride such a huge animal! Our poll results: • Bull Riding 48% • Barrel Racing 19% • Bareback Riding 10% • Tie-Down Roping … Read More
Precision.AgWired.com Podcast: The future of corn planting
Over a year ago we talked about a new technology that would allow growers to plant offensive and defensive corn hybrids within the same field. Last year Jason Webster with Beck’s Hybrids planted his first field with the Variable Hybrid Planter. This year he has more trials and more acres. In this Precision.AgWired.com Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology we’ll find … Read More
New Holland Helping Farmers and Ethanol
Farmers who provide corn for ethanol plants can get special discounts on New Holland equipment and help the ethanol industry at the same time. New Holland district sales manager Bob Kacher says their American Ethanol Producers Club is an initiative they developed two years ago with Growth Energy to help both growers and the ethanol industry. “It offers the opportunity … Read More
Slow Start to Harvest in Central Illinois
Harvest is off to a slow start in Central Illinois. It’s the final week of September and around my neck of the woods only a few fields have been shelled. It’s getting cool and dry here but so far USDA reports that harvest is only 13% complete compared to almost 70& this time a year ago. With harvest running … Read More
PLANTS Database Provides Answers
Recently the PLANTS website crossed a milestone with the uploading of its 50,000th image. The database, managed by the National Plant Data Team at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s East National Technology Support Center, hosts images of plants that grow in the U.S. and its territories. The PLANTS site is one of USDA’s most frequently visited websites. Besides images, … Read More
Better Test for Glyphosate Resistant Cotton Weeds
A USDA Agricultural Research Service scientist is working with Monsanto to develop a kit that cotton growers could use to determine whether weeds in their fields are glyphosate resistant. Don Parker, Manager of Integrated Pest Management for the National Cotton Council, explains that early detection is key in managing glyphosate-resistant weeds. “If a resistant weed is detected early, alternative measures … Read More
SMS Basic/Advanced v13.0 and SMS Mobile v7.0 Released!
Ag Leader is proud to announce the release of SMS Basic/Advanced v13.0 and SMS Mobile v7.0. Here are just a few items that are included in this update: • Enhanced support for Ag Leader® Integra and Versa™ displays; as well as for ISO 11783 displays and displays from CNH®, John Deere™, and Precision Planting. • Added support for Ag Leader … Read More