Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today renewed a historic agreement with U.S. dairy producers to accelerate the adoption of innovative waste-to-energy projects and energy efficiency improvements on U.S. dairy farms, both of which help producers diversify revenues and reduce utility expenses on their operations. The pact extends a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009. “Through this renewed commitment, USDA … Read More
Open Data for Ag Key to Food Security
Innovators and private sector partners are being urged to participate in the G-8 Open Data for Agriculture meeting coming up later this month in Washington DC to help “facilitate the transfer of scientific research and information in a broad range of areas from best agricultural practices, to research, biotechnology, irrigation, extension services and applied technology.” The goal of the conference … Read More
The 4Rs are All Right
Everything is right about the 4Rs of nutrient management – the right source, the right rate, the right time, and the right place for applying nutrients in the field. “It actually drives a farmer to look more at a systems approach to nutrient management rather than just making an application and moving to the next step,” said Dr. Howard Brown, … Read More
Ignore Agriculture at Your Peril
The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee spoke to farmer and rancher representatives in Washington DC at National Ag Day activities on Tuesday, praising those who work in the agriculture industry. “The fact of the matter is we’re a critical part of the national economy and the food safety net for the country and the planet,” Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK) … Read More
Ag Day at USDA
Our U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke at the annual National Ag Day banquet Tuesday at the USDA Whitten Bldg. Secretary Vilsack wished everyone a Happy Ag Day and then talked about American farm productivity, pointing to a chart showing how high the ag sector is compared to other industries since 1948. “American agriculture’s productivity far, far outpaced the … Read More
Ag Day is Time to Thank a Farmer
Today is National Ag Day and there is a new song out that really drives home the importance of farmers and ranchers. It’s called Thank a Farmer by country singer James Wesley and it is full of beautiful images and sentiments about American agriculture. You can find the song on YouTube and purchase it in iTunes, watch and listen to … Read More
Post Driver Celebrates 15 Years
Now here’s a precision piece of equipment you might not think about but it’s definitely a time and money saver – as well as a “man saver.” Rohrer Manufacturing is celebrating the 15-year anniversary of its trademarked Man Saver Post Driver, a multi-directional air-powered portable fence post driver for farmers, ranchers, vineyards, construction centers, highway, and public works departments. Inventor … Read More
Nothing Runs Like a Deere on Biodiesel
Everyone knows the famous slogan “Nothing Runs Like a Deere” which has been used by the company for decades. But with more John Deere equipment approved for biodiesel, well that slogan needs to be updated a little! John Deere demonstrated its vast array of diesel equipment able to run on biodiesel during the recent Biodiesel Vehicle Showcase. In addition to … Read More
G-8 to Talk Open Data for Agriculture
Next month the G-8 International Conference will be holding an important event in Washington on Open Data for Agriculture. The purpose, according to USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Catherine Woteki, is “to make our agriculturally-relevant research and statistical data accessible to users in Africa and around the world.” Woteki explained in a USDA blog … Read More
BASF Spotlights Science Behind Successful Growers
BASF Ag Products spotlighted a couple of very successful and innovative farmers during the Science Behind event prior to Commodity Classic this year. Randy Dowdy of Georgia just got into the farming business in 2006 and has already been a multiple National Corn Yield Contest winner on pretty marginal farm land that he bought as an investment. “University guy told … Read More