An Idaho farmer recently went Down Under to share his experience in precision agriculture with Aussie producers. Robert Blair of Kendrick, Idaho was the keynote speaker at the 15th Symposium on Precision Agriculture held at Mildura, Victoria last month. Blair grows winter and spring wheat, malt barley, lentils, peas, garbanzo beans, lucerne hay and cattle on his operation and he … Read More
Harvest Makes Rapid Progress
Farmers are more than double-timing it on the corn harvest this season. As of this past weekend, USDA reports that 69 percent of the crop was harvested, compared to 28 average for this time of year. Several corn belt states are running way, way ahead of normal, like Minnesota and Iowa, which normally have around 11-17% of the corn harvest … Read More
Celebrating National Co-op Month
Each October, cooperatives across the United States celebrate the cooperative difference, business model and the contributions of cooperatives to their communities during National Co-op Month and this year continues the celebration of 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives with the slogan “Cooperative enterprises build a better world.” As one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, GROWMARK has been celebrating all … Read More
New GPS Satellite Modernizes Network
The U.S. Air Force has launched a United Launch Alliance Delta IV-Medium rocket carrying the third Global Positioning System IIF satellite which will provide more accurate navigation for military and civilians, including farmers who rely on the satellites for precision agriculture applications. “Thousands of farmers across the globe depend on GPS to guide their equipment and provide better accuracy during … Read More
New Holland Supports Dairy Expo
One of the big “new” things at the 2012 World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin this week is New Holland Agriculture which has made a major multi-year commitment to support the event. New Holland has sponsored a 26,000 square foot Trade Center tent outside the Exhibit Hall to provide room for additional exhibitors and also has a selection of equipment … Read More
Record Income for Farm Co-ops in 2011
October is National Cooperative Month and 2012 is the the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives, so it is extra special to celebrate record farm cooperative income in 2011. USDA released the latest statistics today, showing that farmer, rancher and fishery cooperatives posted record sales of $213 billion and $5.4 billion in net income, surpassing the previous record sales year … Read More
USDA Announces SURE Sign up for 2011 Crop Losses
USDA’s Farm Service Agency has announced the sign-up period for the 2011 crop year Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program will open Oct. 22, 2012. The SURE program is part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). Under the 2008 Farm Bill, SURE authorizes assistance to farmers and ranchers who suffered crop losses caused by natural … Read More
AgVantage and InVISION at FPS 12
The 2012 Farm Progress Show was a chance for AgVantage FS to put the spotlight on a fresh new look for FS Seed products HiSOY and InVISION corn. FS seed marketing and development specialist Amanda Weigel told us during FPS that AgVantage FS just expanded into the Boone county area this year. “So I’m doing some marketing to get our … Read More
Combine Settings in Drought Conditions
About 40% of corn and nearly a quarter of the soybean crop have already been harvested nationwide which is well ahead of normal for this time of year and record setting in some areas. The five year average for corn harvest by this date is less than 15%, soybeans less than 10%. The reason for the advanced progress is the … Read More
No Farm Bill Impacts Conservation Programs
Congress went home to hit the campaign trail last week without taking any action on a new farm bill and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says that means some programs will expire at the end of this month. “I’m concerned about the fact that some of the smaller conservation programs will not be authorized, nor will there be any money appropriated … Read More