Nutrient placement company Montag has introduced its new GEN II Nutrient Metering System. The Iowa-based company made the annoucnement during its inaugural Montag Nutrient Placement Conference and 10th Anniversary celebration. “This new product addresses the needs of the agricultural industry as well as product improvements that we have been working on and are really excited about bringing to the market,” … Read More
USDA Kicks Off Nationwide Organic Survey
To get better information for organic producer programs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started its Organic Survey. This news release says the survey is a complete inventory of all known organic producers who are certified, exempt from certification, and transitioning to certified organic production. “Total organic product sales by farms and ranches in the United States have continued … Read More
Mahindra Opening New Midwest Distro Center
The biggest seller of tractors in the world based on volume is opening a new distribution center in the Midwest. Mahindra USA announced the 15-acre facility will open in Lyons, Kansas and serve customers in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota with the ability to ship 150 tractors per month once fully operational. The Midwest Authorized Distribution … Read More
Soybean Growers Announce Conservation Legacy Awards
The American Soybean Association (ASA) has announced the regional winners of its 2015 Conservation Legacy Awards. This news release says Steve Berger, Wellman, Iowa (Midwest Region); Mike Starkey, Brownsburg, Indiana (Northeast Region); and Jimmy Thomas, Timberlake, North Carolina (South Region), are the regional winners and will be recognized at the ASA Awards Banquet, Feb. 27, 2015, at Commodity Classic in … Read More
USDA Offers Conservation Innovation Grants
The federal government is offering up to $20 million in grants to help develop new, innovative markets for carbon credits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it wants applications for the grant money through the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program that will provide new, additional revenue sources for producers, while addressing natural resource conservation challenges. “USDA has been a … Read More
Have Good Conversations With Consumers
Having good conversations with consumers will be key if farmers want to build long-term trust in today’s food system. That was the message attendees of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show heard from Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity (CFI). “Farmers are accustomed to fixing things in the next production cycle. … Read More
EPA’s Neonicotinoid Findings Disputed
The American Soybean Association (ASA) is disputing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) findings critical on the efficacy of neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybean operations. ASA President and Brownfield, Texas, farmer Wade Cowan said “…soybean producers use neonicotinoid seed treatments where they are needed and effective, and don’t use them where not.” Cowan pointed to recent research from Mississippi showing … Read More
Railroad Updates Progress
Billions of dollars to improve service on one of the most important railroads for grain producers looks to resolve problems that hurt the grain industry last year. Attendees of the recent American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show heard from Greg Guthrie, director of ag products for BNSF, who updated them them on a $5 billion … Read More
Farm Foundation Forum on Funding Agricultural Research
Farm Foundation is sponsoring another one of its conversations on topics affecting agriculture. The next free forum, “Tools to Fund Agricultural Research,” will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., with a live audiocast also available free of charge for those who can’t be there in person. For more than a decade, constraints … Read More
Big Data Could be Next Cash Crop
It’s said that knowledge is power, and now information could be a powerful cash crop for farmers. Attendees of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show heard from Jason Tatge, current president, CEO and co-founder of FarMobile, who sees huge potential for farmers to dictate the sale of their data to large agricultural companies. According … Read More