Our first BASF Production Poll is in the can and it was no surprise to find that growers are overwhelmingly optimistic about the 2012 growing season. According to the poll: 65% of farmers think things are looking up this year. 29% say it’s about the same Just 6% think this year will be worse and that winter did their fields … Read More
Ag Groups Testify on Conservation
Several farm organizations provided input last week on USDA conservation programs in the 2012 Farm Bill. Among those who testified before the House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry was National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois who spoke on behalf of a broad coalition of agricultural organizations, including the American Soybean Association, the … Read More
Obama Adminstration Withdraws Child Farm Labor Rules
Agricultural organizations are pleased that the U.S. Labor Department has officially withdrawn proposed rules that would have prevented many young people from working on farms and ranches. “The Obama administration is firmly committed to promoting family farmers and respecting the rural way of life, especially the role that parents and other family members play in passing those traditions down through … Read More
GROWMARK Plant Food Division Growth
Just about this time last year, the GROWMARK Plant Food Division reorganized for continued growth both within and beyond the core Midwest FS territory. A year later, they have lots to show for it – including a brand new dry and liquid plant food storage facility in Casey, Illinois. Core Market Plant Food Sales Director Joe Kilgus says the new … Read More
Dry Conditions May Impact Nitrogen Application
Dry conditions may have a negative impact on nitrogen applications in some areas of the country, according to experts at South Dakota State University. According to SDSU Extension Soils Specialist Ron Gelderman, while surface application of nitrogen fertilizer in late fall and early spring is a typical practice in South Dakota, dry soils this season may be putting that nitrogen … Read More
Introducing BASF Production Poll
With the 2012 crop year now underway, we’re introducing the BASF Production Poll. This new poll will be conducted twice each month during the season with timely questions that we think both farmers and non-farmers alike will find interesting. We’d love to hear from you. So let’s get started with our first one. How do you think the 2012 growing … Read More
New GROWMARK Fertilizer Facility
The new GROWMARK dry and liquid plant food storage facility in Casey, Illinois is in business to serve farmers in the south central part of the state this spring. “It is a 25,000 ton dry fertilizer blend facility and a 10,000 ton solution facility and this is the first spring we are using it,” said South Central FS CEO Randy … Read More
Farm Use of GIS Creates Career Opportunities
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology is becoming more important in the global production of food and fiber. According to GIS software technology firm Esri, the ability of GIS to analyze and visualize agricultural environments and workflows is proving to be very beneficial for farmers in the challenge to feed an ever-growing population. For example, using GIS tools like Esri’s ArcGIS, … Read More
KIC on GROWMARK Legislative Priority List
The Illinois “Keep it for the Crop” (KIC) by 2025 campaign is on GROWMARK‘s list of legislative priorities on the state level for 2012, according to government affairs director Chuck Spencer. “What is important about that is that it’s going to provide additional research dollars for stewardship programs,” Spencer said. “What we will see through this program is the ability … Read More
Why Certified Crop Specialists are So Special
Dale Bermester with Gateway FS in Red Bud, Illinois has been an FS Certified Crop Specialist (CCS) for nearly a quarter of a century and nothing makes him happier every day than helping farmers be more profitable. “It’s really an on-going process, especially with your customers that you’ve been doing business with for 25 years,” Dale says. “We’re in tune … Read More